Australian pay-TV operator Foxtel has bought the rights to some of the most popular programmes airing on ABC in America.

Under the terms of Foxtel's deal with Buena Vista International TV Distribution, the operator will have rights to a huge range of ABC's daytime and primetime output. Programmes included range from primetime powerhouses Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives to The View and ABC News documentaries.

The news comes as more and more Australians switch on to pay television; according to recent figures from the Australian ratings organisation OzTAM, subscription TV accounts for close to 20% of all TV viewing in the country.