Channel 4 is making its back catalogue of shows, including the likes of Queer As Folk, Brookside, The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off and Drop The Dead Donkey, available to watch for free on its 4oD website.
The channel is the first UK broadcaster to take this step. In total, nearly 4,000 hours of archived material, representing around 10,000 programmes, will be on offer.
For the most part, imported US series, which have been a mainstay of Channel 4 programming since the broadcaster went on air in 1982, are not included because of rights issues. Fans of shows like Friends, ER, Sex and The City, Cheers, Frasier and Desperate Housewives will miss out. However, all is not lost - 1980s dramas Hill Street Blues and St Elsewhere are available on 4oD. Not only are both acclaimed Emmy award-winners, they also paved the way for today's gritty dramas. No Hill Street Blues, no The Wire. No St Elsewhere, no ER.
We've delved into the relaunched 4oD service and highlighted some of the very best shows you can now watch again and again and again in our gallery...
http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/tv/galleries/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=148253325>1=61503