Netflix and BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, have agreed a new digital licensing deal that will bring a broad range of BBC series to Netflix members in the UK and Ireland.

Beginning in early 2012, previous series of BBC shows such as Torchwood and Spooks will be available for Netflix members to watch instantly in the UK and Ireland streamed over the Internet to connected TVs, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones.

Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. Netflix announced in October that it would launch its service in the UK and Ireland early in 2012.

“BBC programmes are a big favourite of our over 20 million streaming members in the US, Canada and Latin America,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. “Members love watching back-to-back episodes of BBC series where and when they want, at the click of a button. We are incredibly proud to make these high quality programmes available to Netflix members in the UK and Ireland.”

Noting that BBC content was already available on Netflix in North and Latin America, Steve Macallister, president and managing director, Sales and Distribution, BBC Worldwide, said the broadcaster was “delighted” to be a launch partner for Netflix in the UK and Eire, offering viewers the chance to watch some of its best loved shows on the platform from day one. “UK audiences have really grasped the experience that online viewing can bring, and our programming has proven to be particularly popular with this digital audience,” he added.

Additional BBC titles available to members of Netflix in the UK and Ireland will include comedies such as Little Britain and Fawlty Towers, and dramas such as Miss Marple and Inspector Lynley.

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