BBC iPlayer to premiere scripted comedy

bbc threeAt a time when VoD seems to be growing by the millisecond, it's no surprise to hear that the Beeb is to premiere all its BBC Three scripted comedy on their online platform - a move no doubt aimed at saying ahead of the likes of Netflix, who launched drama House of Cards exclusively online and in all one go.

The schedule of shows will kick off in August with Bad Education, starring Jack Whitehall, and will be available seven days prior to transmitting on TV. The news comes after the broadcaster's trial bid in February to premiere 40 hours of BBC programming online, including a Peter Kay sitcom, Car Share.

Controller of BBC Three, Zai Bennett, said: "BBC Three audiences are digitally savvy, and view our programmes in a number of different ways online and on the go. We've already been experimenting with online content, starting with the hugely popular Comedy Feeds, now in their second season and with a third in the pipeline.

"Premiering our scripted comedies on BBC iPlayer is an obvious and exciting step forward for BBC Three, and yet another innovative way to give our viewers more choice in the ways they can enjoy our programmes."

Audiences appetite for VoD is growing rapidly - a clear sign of this being recent developments in a variety of online platforms in addition to the BBC's: Channel 4 has introduced the option of downloading shows offline (the BBC got there first in September last year); Netflix are ordering original documentary content, and Sky are pulling out the big guns with Sky Go, using a certain Mr David Beckham to promote Sky Sports on the platform.

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