BBC Worldwide links with Opus Arte. (Classical news).

A 10m [pounds sterling] deal between BBC Worldwide and the Anglo-Dutch independent multimedia company Opus Arte is expected to unlock the corporation's rich archive of classical music, opera and ballet for DVD video exploitation. The nine-year agreement covers international television, DVD and video sales and promises a high-quality schedule of new releases.

According to Simon Sudbury, director of BBC Music, BBC Worldwide, the deal represents "a natural extension of our relationship with Opus Arte and is designed to bring about a close integration of classical music television and DVD production and distribution. Our joint objective is that the BBC's leading classical music television productions, including operas and ballets from the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne, will be almost simultaneously available on DVD, creating a one-stop shop for classical music lovers."

The standard of BBC Opus Arte product has consistently ...