C4 lands VOD rights to 'Lost', 'Housewives'

Channel 4 has inked a major output deal with Buena Vista International giving it the UK VOD rights to the first two seasons of Lost and Desperate Housewives.

The broadcaster will launch an online PPV service tomorrow (Thursday), with its initial offering comprising the complete first season of Lost. Users will pay 99p to watch each episode, which can be viewed an unlimited number of times within a 24-hour window. Episodes from season two will follow two weeks after their broadcast airing on Channel 4, with the first two available for free as a promotional incentive.

The service will also air via digital TV on NTL Telewest, where the episodes will be offered in the HD format.

"This deal with BVITV reinforces Channel 4’s plans to make content available ‘anytime, anywhere’ and is a fantastic way of demonstrating our ambitions in this area," said Andy Duncan, chief exec at Channel 4.

C4 intends to launch a full, multi-platform VOD service later in the year.