Fifth Gear, produced by North One Television, is selling downloads at £1.50 each. Titles include reviews of supercars such as the Porsche 911, Ferrari F430 and Mercedes McLaren SLR. Adults can pay by debit or credit card; younger car enthusiasts can pay using their mobile phones.
The new video and music download system has been developed by 7 Digital, the company behind download stores for several music companies including Universal and EMI.
"Broadcasters have seen the revenues attainable from music downloads and are eager to do the same with their own content," said 7 Digital's Managing Director, Ben Drury. "TV footage can work so much harder for broadcasters, with the internet now a commercially sound distribution channel."
Richard Pearson, Executive Producer of Fifth Gear, added, "Ever since Fifth Gear launched in 2002 viewers have regularly asked whether it's possible to purchase content. It's great that we can expand the Fifth Gear brand in this way and give people an affordable opportunity to acquire high quality downloads of their favourite moments from the archive."
