ITV dramas to be sold on iTunes

ITV is putting some of its most popular dramas on iTunes, the network has announced.

Over 260 hours of classic programming, including Cold Feet and Brideshead Revisited, will be available on the site.

Viewers will have to pay £1.89 to purchase each episode from the iTunes store, which will also feature programmes like Inspector Morse, The Prisoner and The Saint later in the year.

There are plans to make more recent programmes available, including the second series of Inspector Morse spin-off Lewis. But these shows will not be put on iTunes until 30 days after they are broadcast.

The move comes as broadcasters attempt to meet demand from TV viewers who expect to watch programmes at a time of their own choosing.

BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 have already announced a joint online TV catch-up service, provisionally titled Kangaroo.

The broadcasters currently have their own on-demand services - BBC iPlayer, ITV.com and Channel 4oD.

Dawn Airey, managing director of ITV Global Content, said: "We want to give viewers the opportunity to watch their favourite shows wherever they are.

"ITV has thousands of hours of classic content in the archive which we are bringing to a whole new audience via iTunes."