'Downton Abbey' Gets Early iTunes Showing

11:50 AM, Jan 15, 2013   |    comments
The cast of Downtown Abbey pose in the press room with the Best TV Show award and Anil Kapoor during The Elle Style Awards 2012 at The Savoy Hotel on February 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)The cast of Downtown Abbey pose in the press room with the Best TV Show award and Anil Kapoor during The Elle Style Awards 2012 at The Savoy Hotel on February 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Select "Downton Abbey" fans are in for an early viewing treat and bragging rights.

Apple said Monday that people in North America who hold iTunes season passes will be able to see this season's last three episodes of "Downton" before they air.

The period drama's second season was the best-selling TV series on iTunes last year, Apple said, without disclosing the numbers. The exclusive preview of a TV series is the first for iTunes, the company said.

The third season of "Downton Abbey" began Jan. 6 with an episode that drew nearly 8 million viewers, quadrupling PBS' average prime-time audience. The drama about British landed gentry and their household servants stars Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery.

Episodes are available beginning Jan. 29 on iTunes.

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