Opera buffs rejoice: The Metropolitan Opera and iN DEMAND Networks have agreed to offer all eight new performances from the Met’s second season of “Metropolitan Opera: Live in High Definition” to on-demand subscribers in both HD and SD

Starting in January, the Met’s series of performances—transmitted worldwide into movie theaters—will become available, with each show available on demand 30 days after its theatrical release.

As previously reported in TV Technology, the Met began the theatrical HD presentations in December 2006 at theaters equipped with satellite-based digital HD projection systems.

“With this agreement, we are creating the opera equivalent of a Hollywood roll-out,” said met General Manager Peter Gelb. “I think opera fans will be thrilled to play our movie theater transmissions at home on their own schedules.”

The on-air schedule starts Jan. 16 with Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette,” conducted by Placido Domingo.