Azureus Announces Content Agreement with BBC Worldwide

We have already covered Zudeo – a video service from Azureus. In this post Paul Glazowski wrote: “Zudeo has launched with some clips that won’t be very appealing for anyone, but category bound to get the most attention is the HD archive. Don’t expect a wonderland just yet, however. No partnerships with the mainstream media have been struck, and just about every item they have to offer this moment were submitted either very recently or during a trial period”. And today we have received a press release from Zudeo unveiling the first partnership for Zudeo that will definitely bring you closer to wonderland in your experience with Zudeo.

And who do you think they have partnered with? It’s BBC Worldwide - pure and simple. What’s even more interesting is that it is the first ever peer-to-peer distribution partnership for the network.

The partnership means that Azureus will offer popular, high-resolution British comedies and dramas from BBC Worldwide on Zudeo. Under the terms of the agreement, BBC Worldwide will license international hit television series to U.S. users of the service, including Red Dwarf, Strange and Invasion Earth, debuting via broadband for the first time in the U.S. And of course there are numerous other titles – you are welcome to join Zudeo to find out more.

Here is what Azureus CEO Gilles BianRosa said on the subject:

BBC Worldwide understands our commitment to providing consumers with a rich entertainment experience and our desire to offer quality content to our diverse global audience. We are thrilled to offer programming that encompasses such a robust fan base, as well as the opportunity to expose a new generation to cult favorites from BBC Worldwide catalogue via our new entertainment platform.

It seems that it’s not only Azureus to be thrilled. Beth Clearfield, BBC Vice President calls it a “revolutionary distribution model”. Of course they are also excited about distributing their content to the largest audience possible using the latest entertainment environment. Zudeo enables content providers to easily publish, showcase, and distribute high resolution, long form content, including video and games in high definition or DVD quality over the Internet, at no cost. And BBC Worldwide is the first content provider to benefit from this opportunity. BBC content, along with other premium partners will be available on Zudeo early next year.

By the way, Azureus promises to announce additional content partnerships in the coming weeks. So next year we will be able to enjoy Zudeo even more because they will add a large selection of high-quality content to their already superb service.