LONDON — The BBC and Apple have agreed a pioneering deal that enables users to download high profile fare like “Life on Mars” via iTunes for around $4 a shot.Brits will be able to buy shows for £1.89 an episode ($3.70) from Tuesday following an agreement between the Corp’s commercial division, BBC Worldwide, and Apple.

Around 10 series including “Life on Mars,” “Little Britain” and “Robin Hood” are available on the U.K. iTunes store for viewing on a PC or Mac computer, video-enabled iPod, iPhone or via Apple TV.

It is the first time a U.K. broadcaster has made its fare available on iTunes.

Recently aired shows like “Ashes to Ashes,” the follow-up to “Life on Mars,” will be made available once they have run on the BBC iPlayer on-demand catch-up service, funded by the license fee — levied on all U.K. TV homes.

Simon Danker, director of digital media at BBC Worldwide, said, “We want to give audiences a wide variety of options on how and where to view their favorite BBC shows.

“With more people now choosing to watch TV shows on their iPods, fans of series such as ‘The Mighty Boosh’ and ‘The Catherine Tate Show’ can now enjoy those shows wherever they are.”

Added Apple’s vice prexy of iTunes Eddy Cue: “Television programming has been incredibly popular with iTunes customers in the U.K.

“We’re thrilled to add hit programming from the BBC with favorites including the latest ratings winner ‘Ashes to Ashes.’ ”

The move is the first time the BBC has asked British auds to pay to download content and will be watched with keen interest by privately funded rivals.

The iPlayer is doing boffo business for the corp. since it was relaunched on Christmas Day, with more than 3.5 million shows streamed or downloaded within the first two weeks.

BBC Worldwide is collaborating with Channel 4 and ITV to launch an on-demand broadband TV initiative provisionally entitled Kangaroo and due to bow later this year.

The BBC already runs download to rent and download to own services in the U.S.