The BBC along with Channel 4 and the British Film Institute have launced the Creative Archive. The BBC will offer 100 hours of programs during the pilot period.

The idea is to "Find it. Rip it. Mix it. Share it. Come and get it." Unfortunately, people outside the UK won't be able to get it. The archive is "funded with public money to serve the UK population."

Still, in an era of bittorent, it seems having a mirror at archive.org would make sense. I'm sure people would be willing to donate a few quid (or euros).

Update: so far, the BFI videos can be viewed in the US.

Rick Prelinger who works with archive.org is participating in a seminar as part of the project's launch.