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Channel 4 has announced plans to put its back catalogue online for viewers to watch for free.
The broadcaster will become Britain's first to offer archived content - beating the BBC, which screens programmes for a week after they air via its iPlayer service.
Viewers will be able to tune into Brass Eye, The Camomile Lawn and Father Ted at any time without having to buy a DVD box set.
Other series to be made available include Queer As Folk, Shameless, Ali G and Teachers.
There will also be episodes of soap Brookside, featuring the first television lesbian kiss, between Anna Friel's character Beth Jordache and Nicola Stephenson's Margaret Clemence.
Some content cannot be put online because of rights or legal issues, such as Friends and other American shows, and Channel4 News, because some bought-in clips can only be shown on the day of transmission.
Jon Gisby, Channel 4's director of future media and technology, said the service would be available next month, when more than 4,000 hours of television will be added to the 4oD catch-up service.
He said: "We are extremely proud of the improved service and think the combination of fantastic content that's easy to find and view will prove compelling for all users."
Web traffic monitor Hitwise said the decision was significant at a time when the appetite for internet video viewing was growing.
One in every 35 internet views in February was to a video site, up from one in 50 a year ago.
Earlier this year the communications minister, Lord Carter, predicted that Britain was heading towards a "different world" away from scheduled programming. "In less than 10 years we will be in a complete on-demand television world," he said.
The 4oD service was revamped in April and has had an 111 per cent month-on-month increase in viewing.
Reader views (2)
Just what shows do C4 have that are worth watching again??
Certainly not Big Brother - they cannot even be bothered to show any decent live feed. Talk about killing off one of their own shows.
So how many "embedded" adverts are we going to have to sit through and watch before we get to see the show?
Just as well C4 don't have much worth watching.
Friends anyone?
- Margs, Suffolk, 11/06/2009 22:02
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Oh good, another chance NOT to view the rubbish CH4 produces again.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 09/06/2009 10:06
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