Free online access to C4 archives

BRITISH broadcaster Channel 4 is to put its back catalogue online free of charge – becoming the first British broadcaster to do so.

Most TV stations, including RTÉ, only allow free access to short clips of programmes or archive material and rarely allow access to TV drama programmes.

The Channel 4 move means viewers in Britain and Ireland will be able to watch every episode of British produced shows including Father Ted, Shameless, Grand Designs and Brass Eye without having to buy a DVD box set.