Netflix Signs BBC Deal for Non-Exclusive Rights to Library Shows Including ‘Doctor Who,’ ‘Top Gear’ and ‘Fawlty Towers'

6:03 AM PST 12/20/2011 by Mimi Turner

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The streaming service already has a bunch of library content deals signed for the U.K., and has said it plans to launch here next year.

LONDON – Netflix has added rights to a slew of U.K. library TV shows including Doctor Who, Top Gear and Fawlty Towers to its U.K. catalog ahead of its planned launch here next year.

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The streaming platform, which has seen its shareprice on a roller-coaster ride since shifting its domestic business model earlier this year, has added U.K. titles that already appear on cable TV here to its U.K. program catalog.

The deal with BBC Worldwide gives Netflix the rights to stream shows including the 1990s version of Miss Marple, as well as more modern fare including Little Britain, Torchwood and Top Gear.

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said that BBC programs were “a big favorite” amongst Netflix’s 20 million U.S., Canadian and Latin American members.

Whether they will prove persuasive in a market where similar deals have already been struck with platforms like Virgin Media, BT Vision and Blinkbox, and where the shows in question are already familiar after being seen on popular cable channels like Gold, Dave and ITV3 - in addition to terrestrial TV - remains to be seen.