Q: is there a download later facility on itunes?

Hi tanfranc,

Welcome to the Support Communities!

The article below may be able to help you with this.

Click on the link to see more details and screenshots. 

iTunes Store: Download options when purchasing TV seasons, Season Passes, Multi-Passes, movie bundles, music box sets, or individual movies or TV episodes

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5731

Music box sets, individual movies, and TV episodes

When you purchase a box set, you'll be presented with two options:

• Clicking the Later button will not download any songs or videos. You'll be able to download your purchase at any time from iTunes in the Cloud.
• Clicking the Download button will download all available songs from the box set or individual movie or TV episode.

I hope this information helps ....

Happy Holidays!

- Judy