Bebo expands original content productions

Building on the success of KateModern and Sofia's Diary, Bebo is developing a commissioning and scheduling policy for 2009 that will broaden out from dramas to shows focused on entertainment, reality and comedy.

Bebo president Joanna Shields said: "It's been just over a year since we brought KateModern to Bebo and demonstrated the full potential of popular short-form content broadcast over a social network.

"Such has been the success of this and our other short-form shows that have followed that we are delighted to be in a position to commit to a full multi-genre schedule for 2009."

As a result of these changes, Bebo content will fall into three categories. Bebo Originals will feature Bebo's equivalent of a TV broadcaster's original commission. Third Party Productions will feature programmes produced by third parties exclusively for Bebo. An example of a third-party produced show is Meet The Freshers, made by Tom Thurlow, airing through December 2008 on Bebo. A third category, Open Media, will see deals struck with conventional broadcasters to allow programmes such as Fonejacker and Top Gear to air on Bebo.