LONDON: This is news that should give mobile service companies looking to provide value adds to customers pause for thought. Users of Vodafone live! in the UK will be able to download Fawlty Towersexcerpts, together with other BBC comedies, directly to their handsets for the first time. This follows a deal between BBC Worldwide and Vodafone UK.

In india the comedy show starring John Cleese used to air on Star World. An official release informs that the deal, which represents the first of its kind for BBC Worldwide, was concluded following consultation and negotiation with on-screen talent, writers and/or their representatives. This ensured all contributors and rights' holders benefit from this new business activity, which BBC Worldwide expects to grow rapidly.

BBC Worldwide's director of commecial broadband and interactive television Jonathan Crane said, "Licensing BBC comedy sequences to Vodafone live! is a genuinely groundbreaking deal for us. Accessing video via handsets is now a reality for us all, and as demand grows, BBC Worldwide is poised to provide a range of great video content to these new mobile services."

Fawlty Towers has sales to broadcasters in over 70 countries, including India, Russia and Thailand.