20/05/2010

BBC Comedy Launches New-Look Site

The BBC has now unveiled its new-look comedy website featuring a host of exciting new elements, offering users a more immersive experience.

Comedy fans can now navigate BBC comedy past, present and future. There are classic archive moments aggregated into collections, exclusive material from the likes of The Thick Of It and Outnumbered and bespoke web-only comedies from some of the hottest new talent online.

Following its beta launch in May 2009, the site has become a playground for the next generation of comedy stars as well as enabling well-known comedy greats to experiment with new ideas.

The library now features over 600 clips that have amassed 2.5 million views on bbc.co.uk, with as many again being watched on YouTube.

bbc.co.uk/comedy is the place to discover rising stars such as Jason Lewis, Idiot Of Ants, Harry Partridge and Mr Khan, played by Adil Ray – one of the stars of Bellamy's People.

To mark the full rollout of the site, comedy fans will also be treated to sketches from well-loved comedy talent including Those Mitchell And Webb Animations, a collaboration between the team behind the BAFTA award-winning sketch show and some of the most exciting new online animators.

In a bid to further utilise the online trend of sharing content, bbc.co.uk/comedy will be introducing Playlists, which will allow established comedy talent to recommend their favourite BBC comedy moments of all time as well as discover up-and-coming comedy. Kick-starting this will be Stephen Merchant and Johnny Vegas.

There will also be an opportunity to interact with Shooting Stars' Angelos Epithemiou, by leaving him a message on the Comedy blog and watching his new online series Moving On.

The site aims to be the first port of call for comedy lovers, enabling them to catch up on the latest comedies from across the BBC via BBC iPlayer, discover spin-off content via the Red Button and YouTube, join in discussions and keep up to date with the latest news via the blog and Twitter.

Visit: www.bbc.co.uk/comedy

(BMcN/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 July 2004
Government publishes BBC Online review
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has given the BBC just under four months to redefine the remit for its online services, following the publication today of the findings of a major independent review. Tessa Jowell said she found Philip Graf's review into BBC Online "authoritative and constructive".
08 May 2008
Ofcom Hits ITV With Record Fine
Ofcom have fined ITV £5.67 million for breaching codes of conduct in relation to viewer phone-ins. The record fine follows an investigation by the regulator into the broadcaster's most popular shows.
17 December 2010
BBC Three Gets New Boss
Zai Bennett, the director of ITV's digital channels and acquisitions, has been named the new controller of BBC Three. The 36-year-old replaces the outgoing Danny Cohen, who was appointed the new controller of BBC One in October. Controller of ITV2 from 2006-9, Bennett took on responsibility for ITV's other digital channels in April.
23 August 2011
Liam Neeson Joins Stars' Wars In New Comedy
Co Antrim's Liam Neeson and actress Helena Bonham Carter have been revealed as members of an all star cast for a new comedy from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
29 April 2004
More peak time arts, current affairs and documentaries, say BBC
The BBC has promised to air more arts, current affairs and documentaries during peak time viewing. Publishing the Corporation's 'Statements of Programme Policy for 2004/2005' the BBC has underscored a commitment to reduce 'make-over' drama programmes.