The Stage

FreemantleMedia launches comedy classics downloading website

Published Thursday 9 August 2007 at 18:00 by Michael Quinn

FremantleMedia Enterprises has launched a download website to sell its extensive library of British television comedy classics.

The site features material from four decades stretching back as far as the sixties and will offer individual programmes to “rent” or own outright in “high”, “super high” or, for video-enabled MP3 players, “portable” quality files. Renting a programme will cost 99p while downloading a permanently accessible file will cost £2.49.

Among the programmes to be offered are George and Mildred, Bless This House and Love Thy Neighbour. Series and specials featuring Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper, Eric Sykes and Jim Davidson will also form part of the website’s catalogue.

Pete Kalhan, FME’s vice president of home entertainment and archive sales, said: “This is just the first in many programme genre portal websites we will be developing and we’re certain it will be a big hit with comedy fans. With the launch of this website, we’re truly taking home entertainment into the home”.

In time the site will also feature specially commissioned material including interviews with featured performers. It will also be used to cross-promote FME’s DVD releases.

Only PC owners will be able to access downloads from the site due to Apple’s refusal to support Microsoft’s Windows Digital Rights Management protocols.

See www.tvcomedyclassics.com