Coupling will soon appear on NBC

It will mean a range of British shows from the BBC and other producers will be developed by Reveille, a company based at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Reveille is currently making an American version of hit sitcom Coupling, which started out on BBC Two.

The two-year deal signed by BBC Worldwide covers comedy and drama projects, and up to six projects a year will be developed using US talent and resources.

It follows a separate deal signed after the success of The Weakest Link in the US, in which BBC Worldwide has teamed up with the William Morris Agency to develop quiz, game and reality shows.

This year each of the main US networks - ABC, NBC and CBS - will have a new show from BBC Worldwide.

NBC has also bought Dog Eat Dog

NBC is showing a full-length run of Dog Eat Dog, after a pilot of the show - hosted by Ulrika Jonsson in the UK - proved a success. Baywatch actress Brooke Burns fronts the US version of the programme.

Two entirely new shows are being given pilots by networks, with hidden camera show Sack Race being shown by CBS and ABC showing dating show Nice Package.

After the success of The Weakest Link, BBC Worldwide has seen its fortunes in the US rise. It made �14.5m in North America in the last financial year.

BBC Worldwide's profits are invested into domestic BBC services back in the UK.