BBC Worldwide has made a deal with EMI Music making the BBC's extensive archives commercially (and legally) available for the first time. Audio and video of classic performances from the likes of Queen, David Bowie and Pink Floyd will be included in this; the BBC's Beatles archives are part of an existing, seperate agreement with EMI.

The BBC will have the rights to distribute the content direct to consumers via their own digital services such as online streaming. EMI will be able to release BBC archive material across multiple platforms including digital, with both companies receiving royalties from all the sales.

Pete Duckworth, senior vice president, catalogue for EMI Music UK & Ireland, said: "In the BBC vaults there is a wealth of unreleased and high quality material from EMI artists that we will now be able to bring to fans."

Obviously this is all at a very early stage, and the exact content to be released will no doubt be under discussion in the coming months. As and when any Floyd content becomes available, we will of course let you know. More information on the deal can be seen at The Times website.