Netflix signs up BBC Worldwide for its UK launch

Netflix has announced that it has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to bring some of the broadcaster’s top shows to the on-demand video streaming service when it launches in the UK in early 2012.

Titles such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Top Gear, Spooks and Little Britain will be available to subscribers following the agreement with the BBC’s commercial arm.

With Netflix finally set to make its long-awaited launch in the UK, it’s gone on something of a signing spree. BBC Worldwide follows previously announced content deals with Miramax, Lionsgate and MGM. It’s little surprise that BBC shows are coming to Netflix in the UK, seeing as its US, Canadian and Latin American services already offer them, but having familiar home-grown content available will likely help sell the service to Brits.

Netflix primarily faces UK competition from Amazon-owned LoveFilm, but it appears that 2012 will be the year that video-on-demand finally takes off in a big way in the UK, thanks to other new services from the likes of retailer HMV and Sky’s recently-launched movie streaming offering for its TV subscribers.