BBC Announces Commitment to Original Teen Drama

LONDON, December 20: In an effort
to ramp up its output of original dramas for teen viewers, BBC Drama is
inviting a range of in-house and independent production companies to pitch two
new young-skewing series that will be broadcast on BBC Three and BBC Switch.

BBC Switch is the BBC's offering for 12- to 16-year-olds
with content delivered through existing broadband, TV and radio services. The two series are slated to air during winter 2009, and
will be accompanied by a fully integrated multimedia campaign.

The series will be commissioned by
Jane Tranter, the controller for BBC Fiction. The new series will follow in the
footsteps of other recently commissioned young-skewing dramas on BBC Three,
which include Spooks Liberty, P.A.s, Phoo Action, Being
Human, Dis/Connected, West 10 LDN, Things
I Haven’t Told You and Mrs Inbetweeny.

Danny Cohen, the controller of BBC
Three, commented: "Building loyalty with young viewers is crucial to BBC
Three. Developing a slate of returnable, authentic and youthful drama can play
a vital role in this."

Andy Parfit, the controller for
Radio 1, 1Xtra and BBC Switch, said: "BBC Switch is a distinctive offer
for U.K. teenagers across BBC Radio, TV and on the web. Producing originated
British drama for this audience is key for us and I welcome the opportunity to
work with Danny on this important collaboration."

Ben Stephenson, the head of drama
commissioning, added: “BBC Three drama and BBC Switch have the unique
opportunity to showcase hot, burgeoning British talent. We are seeking relevant
stories that the target audience can engage with and we’re very excited about
the potential of breaking the mould of young-skewing series.”

—By Irene Lew