Dr Who and co set for the net
Friday, 02 Mar 2007 14:48
Doctor Who actor David Tennant will create extra material for the YouTube channel
A deal has been struck between the BBC and the online video site YouTube to allow internet users access to content from the broadcaster.
As well as clips of new shows, the deal will provide extra material linked to popular series such as Doctor Who and Life on Mars.
This will include specially-created diary entries by David Tennant and Freya Agyeman, who will show viewers around the Doctor Who set.
An entertainment channel will show clips from shows such as Top Gear, Spooks and The Catherine Tate Show.
Around 30 news clips will be updated per day which users will be able to comment on and post their own video responses.
Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC, said that today's deal is "fantastic news" for viewers.
"YouTube is a key gateway through which to engage new audiences in the UK and abroad," he added.
"The partnership provides both a creative outlet for a range of short-form content from BBC programme makers and the opportunity to learn about new forms of audience behaviour."
YouTube's founder and chief executive Chad Hurley said: "We hope to open up an entirely new audience for [the BBC's] content, while deepening their relationship with their existing viewers."