Apple has expanded the television content available to iPod video owners after signing a deal with NBC Universal that will bring primetime, cable, late-night and classic TV shows to the mobile device.

The agreement will see the iTunes website offering shows such as Law & Order and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Other shows include The Office, Surface, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Monk and Battlestar Galactica.

Classic TV shows will also be offered as part of the partnership, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dragnet, Adam-12 and Knight Rider.

Apple said that the NBC Universal programmes will be available in newly designated areas of the iTunes Music Store featuring the NBC Universal brands, including the NBC network, Sci-Fi Channel and the USA Network.

"We are thrilled to expand the iTunes video catalogue with 11 popular TV shows from NBC, USA Network and the Sci-Fi Channel," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

"In our first two months we have sold more than three million videos, and have expanded our TV catalogue from five shows to 16 shows."

Bob Wright, chairman and chief executive at NBC Universal, added: "We are committed to helping viewers enjoy the wide breadth of our programmes across an equally wide range of devices and distribution models.

"Apple has developed a distribution platform that is attractive to consumers while providing the safeguards against theft that are so important to us and to every content provider."

The TV shows are available in the US only, and video availability varies by country. TV shows are $1.99 per episode, and music videos and short films are $1.99 each.

The deal with NBC means that iTunes now offers more than 300 episodes of 16 TV shows for viewing on a computer or iPod.