Blinkx the Video search engine website has signed a deal with the mighty BBC and its iPlayer service. This will provide Blinkx viewers with the BBC online video on demand service and access to the latest BBC TV programs and footage.

The service will provide a preview of the programme to viewers before they use BBC iPlayer’s download or live streaming service to view it.

The founder and CEO of blinkx, said in a statement: “BBC content is renowned for its high quality and universal appeal. Through this partnership, we’re able to further our commitment to our users by offering them a comprehensive archive of professional TV programming available on the internet.”

BBC’s iPlayer TV and Radio player shows BBC content on demand and is a free seven day catch up service. It enables viewers to stream and download any BBC programs. Its service also offers the option to watch live streaming tv on the PC, Mac and Linux platforms. After downloading the content users have to watch the programs within a 30 day period.

Blinkx will catalogue and index all BBC iPlayer content to make it easier for their audience to search video and TV clips.say that a range of BBC programmes, which include comedy, drama and sports sourced from the many BBC TV channels.

The BBC statement says: “The BBC’s remit is to make its content as widely available as possible to everyone in the UK. We are therefore committed to reaching out to audiences’ wherever they are and on whatever platforms they chose to access our services. Blinkx’s unique technology and vast network means BBC TV content is more accessible and searchable to our audiences, who can watch highlights and excerpts of our shows, and then click through to watch the full programme on BBC iPlayer.”

The BBC has also struck deals to show its TV show clips to Yahoo and MSN as well as Blinkx. The only downside is viewers will only see clips of BBC programs and will need to visit the BBC site to view full content and of course the BBC only allow UK residents to view their content. Time to get the IP changing software out and become a UK resident.