Apple to Release "American Idol" Episodes to iTunes Store, BBC TV Content Rumored to Be On Horizon [Update: BBC Content Now Up]

On Monday, Apple announced a new iTunes deal with the Fox network in which "American Idol" content would be sold the next day after airing on Apple's iTunes Store. The deal would allow for users to view performances from the top 24 semi-finalists on the show and purchase performances for 99 cents each.

Come March 11th, users will be able to purchase video covering the top 12 finalists for $1.99 each. The show will be given its own section in the iTunes Store and links from the web site's free streaming videos will point towards the store.

In other news, content from the British Broadcasting Channel may soon appear on the iTunes Store. An anonymous source stated that BBC Worldwide will announce such plans come Tuesday. The source also suggested that the BBC Worldwide's digital media director, Simon Danker, has already contacted a number of third-party production companies to inform them of the new sales market.

It's currently unknown as to whether the content would be available exclusively in the UK or also be available through the U.S. and Canadian iTunes Store locations. BBC Worldwide is said to be under pressure to send more income from shows sold to the core of the BBC, especially in the wake of dwindling TV license fees.

[Via MacNN

Update: BBC Content is now available on iTunes