Please wait...
Please wait...

BBC3 to debut comedies via iPlayer

BBC3 in the UK will begin premiering all of its scripted comedy on BBC iPlayer from the end of August.

The strategy will begin with the first episode of the second season of Jack Whitehall’s school-set comedy Bad Education, which will be available on iPlayer seven days before its airs on BBC3.

The move continues the UK pubcaster’s strategy of experimenting and showcasing more content online.

In February, the BBC announced plans to premiere 40 hours of programming on iPlayer, including upcoming BBC1 comedy series Car Share, from stand-up comedian Peter Kay.

The BBC also commissioned the first original dramas for iPlayer earlier this year as part of a joint initiative with BBC3 and BBC Drama Production.

BBC3 has previously trialled its comedy content online via its Feed My Funny web strand, which is only available via the iPlayer.

Zai Bennett, controller of BBC3, said of the latest plan: “BBC3 audiences are digitally savvy, and view our programmes in a number of different ways online and on the go.”

Victoria Jaye, head of BBC TV content online and IPTV, said: “We want to use BBC iPlayer to maximise audiences’ discovery of BBC programmes and increase the time they spend with the BBC. Forty-two per cent of viewers who to come to BBC iPlayer today do so without anything specific in mind to watch, and over a third are happy to try new and different content.

“This presents a fantastic opportunity to use BBC iPlayer as a complementary platform to schedule broadcast programmes in new ways, and innovate with content that showcases fresh UK talent.”

RELATED ARTICLES

Please wait...