Comedy deal for phone users

Comedy fans will be able to watch clips of classic BBC shows, including Fawlty Towers, on their mobile phones.

In a groundbreaking new deal, BBC Worldwide has signed an agreement with Vodafone to allow 30-second clips to be downloaded to subscribers of its Vodafone Live! service.

Excerpts available will include such classic scenes as Basil Fawlty beating up his car or the 'don't mention the war' sketch.

The deal is the first time well-known programmes have been made available to phone users, and the BBC will pay writers and performers for using their work.

Jonathan Crane, of BBC Worldwide said: "Licensing BBC comedy sequences to Vodafone Live! is a genuinely groundbreaking deal.

"Accessing video via handsets is now a reality, and as demand grows, BBC Worldwide is poised to provide a range of great video content to these new mobile services."

Fawlty Towers remains one of the BBC's most lucrative brands, and the show has been sold to more than 70 countries, including India, Russia and Thailand.

Published: 8 Sep 2003