London (England) - England's largest TV network, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has signed a deal with YouTube. Continuing with the increasing trend seen with American networks, the BBC will begin uploading episodes of its TV shows.
The network will add two "channels" to the online video site. BBC World will be comprised of news stories and documentaries, while BBC Worldwide will include the BBC's entertainment programming. According to the Associated Press, Top Gear, a car-centric show, and the spy drama Spooks, will be part of the BBC Worldwide YouTube lineup.
The BBC is one of only a few international channels to realize name recognition and commercial success in the US. Accordingly, the move to YouTube is described as "a key gateway" to reaching an overseas audience.
Other content providers that have started their own YouTube channels include NBC, CBS, and a handful of syndication companies.
