BBC shows coming to Apple’s iTunes Store this week?

We know they’re coming, but just not when. The UK iTunes store is finally catching up with the USA store with the amount of content on it. We now have Music Videos and (a few) TV Shows – but still no movie purchases – let alone rentals. Currently, you can buy hit series like South Park, LOST, Ugly Betty and more. But you won’t find any BBC series on there. Rumor has it that the BBC is going to bring TV shows to the iTunes store – as soon as this week.

“A TV industry source claims BBC Worldwide will on Tuesday detail plans to set up shop at Apple’s online media mall. Our source says BBC Worldwide’s digital media director Simon Danker has contacted the BBC’s third party production partners to inform them of the new distribution channel,“

This is great news for iTunes users in the UK, who are already enjoying the downloadable content from other networks. This means shows like Top Gear will be available to download, most likely in HD versions as well as standard-definition versions, but still wrapped with DRM for “security”. Apple hasn’t made the move to DRM-free videos yet, but I’m sure that’s next on their list of things to do in the iTunes Store. Bringing BBC content to the Apple TV seems like a no-brainer, too; It could just be what kicks off the Apple TV here in the UK. I can’t wait for the BBC shows to come into the store – even though the content is free on television – iTunes allows me to take it on an iPod without the hassle of converting it.

Via [MacDailyNews]