In an ambitious new move that could see the entire back-catalogue of shows like Sherlock and Doctor Who available to download instantly, the BBC have announced plans to launch an iTunes like service called Project Barcelona.

The store will be launched in addition to BBC iPlayer, the most popular catch-up TV service in the world. The move has been seen as bold and brave, as it would put the BBC in direct competition with iTunes – the biggest music store worldwide.

The programmes available could vary from those also released on DVD and streaming websites, to exclusive content from the BBC Archives. This could include the entire collection of the classic Doctor Who, over 25 series of time-travelling adventures.

Before selling programmes through Barcelona, BBC would have to gain permission from the production companies behind the programming. The store would allow the broadcaster to take all of the profits on any content sold, rather than having to pay Apple a hefty commission on any transaction.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Director General Mark Thompson said the following:

“On television, despite all of our existing forms of public service archival and commercial windowing, the overwhelming majority of what the BBC commissions and broadcasts becomes unavailable when that iPlayer window expires.

“We want to change that and have started to talk to our partners, including the independent sector and PACT, about a proposal which we will formally submit to the BBC Trust later this year which – for reasons which escape me – we call Project Barcelona.

“The idea behind Barcelona is simple. It is that, for as much of our content as possible, in addition to the existing BBC iPlayer window, another download-to-own window would open soon after transmission – so that if you wanted to purchase a digital copy of a programme to own and keep, you could pay what would generally be a relatively modest charge for doing so.”

The idea must first be approved by the BBC Trust before the organisation can go ahead with the plans.

Would you pay to download shows you like from Barcelona rather than iTunes?