Subscription service brings classic and current BBC content to audiences in Western Europe...

The BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has unveiled an international version of the broadcaster's iPlayer iPad app.

The app provides access to current and archive BBC programming for a subscription fee of €6.99 per month or €49.99 per year.

The service will initially be available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.

Shown above is the app's homepage as it appears on the iPad.

Since BBC Worldwide is a commercial organisation, the app can carry advertising with Visit Britain acting as a launch partner for the app. The tourism agency's logo appears at the top of the screen.

Like the UK iPlayer iPad app, content on the international version will be divided into eight genres, namely Comedy, Drama, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Lifestyle, Music & Culture, News Specials & Documentaries and Science & Nature. The menu of genres is shown above.

New content will be added each week with themed collections from the BBC's archive material also in the pipeline - something the UK version doesn't currently offer. Programmes already on the app include Doctor Who, Top Gear and Sherlock as well as classics such as Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers.