MUMBAI: National Geographic has signed a deal with Open Media Network (OMN) and FilmClix. This will bring a variety of programming to online audiences.

Viewers can now rent National Geographic shows by downloading content online through the free OMN Viewer.

National Geographic shows are downloadable via OMN without any compromises of video quality. OMN uses higher encoding fidelity to make sharp DVD-quality video possible and is unmatched by other services online. Its peer to peer grid network also enables speedy downloads regardless of file size, making the download experience easy and fast.

Viewers can start watching National Geographic content now by going to www.omn.org. Each episode is $2.69 for four day rental with unlimited playbacks during that time. The downloads are made possible by a partnership between FilmClix, who is licensed by National Geographic to distribute titles and OMN. OMN delivers each National Geographic program using Microsoft Windows Media Player Digital Rights Management.

Open Media Network is a non-profit organization that utilises advanced video and audio delivery technology available to bring 'media that matters' to the online public. It boasts of a library of educational programming -- free and fee-based -- including download to own content from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and thought-provoking podcasts from leading National Public Radio (NPR) affiliates. With the addition of National Geographic's downloadable pay-per-view content, OMN's online collection gives viewers an even larger selection of high quality educational content in one location.

Open Media Network founder Mike Homer said, "National Geographic brings the world to us with its full-fidelity photography and examination of fascinating topics. Distributing amazing National Geographic documentaries over the Internet and making them available for viewing anywhere at anytime is an exciting opportunity and we're very pleased to work with FilmClix to make this possible."

FilmClix founder Julia O'Sullivan says, "FilmClix wants to go where the audience is located and the quality of content is high. Open Media Network is fulfilling our vision of meeting a variety of viewers. FilmClix is creating something new, aggregating a network programmed by the diversity of demand over a user generated medium. We are pleased to reach a new audience for our National Geographic content.

Select episodes of made available through OMN and FilmClix include Inside the Pentagon, Air Force One and Inside the Secret Service.

Science and Technology

-- Destination Space

Arts and Culture

-- Afghanistan Revealed

-- China's Lost Girls

-- Tibet's Hidden Kingdom

-- Inside the Vatican

-- Beyond the Movie: Lord of the Rings

Sports and Recreation

-- Inside the NFL

-- Basketball Diplomacy

Education and Learning

-- Rainforest

-- Through the Lens

-- Secret Weapons