Amazon and BBC Worldwide cut content deal

Amazon has struck a programming deal with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the UK public broadcaster.

The agreement gives Amazon a raft of BBC programming for its Prime Instant Video subscription video-on-demand service.

It covers library and current titles. Catalogue shows include comedy classics Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, The Office, Absolutely Fabulous and Blackadder.

Newer TV dramas covered by the deal include Sherlock, Doctor Who, Call the Midwife and Last Tango in Halifax.

Popular motoring magazine series Top Gear is also included.

Amazon claims its streaming service is the largest in the UK in terms of number of titles carried with 15,000 episodes of TV content or movie titles.

It has also moved heavily into US-originated original programming and that content is rolling out on the UK service, which was recently rebranded from LoveFilm.