Coronation Street Gets Exclusive Digital Content

LONDON: Exclusive digital content based on the British soap Coronation Street is being developed by ITV Studios’ digital productions unit for itv.com.

Coronation Street‘s website will host some 100 minutes of premium video content every month, including cast interviews, backstage footage and archive clips. The site will also feature episode summaries, sneak previews and character profiles. Later this summer, ITV Studio’s digital production unit will pilot a brand-new online series, Street Talk, which will feature interviews with cast members, exclusive news stories, on-set gossip and story previews. There is also plans for mobile merchandise surrounding the series, including music ringtones, voice ringers and graphics that fans can purchase directly from the website.

Patricia Wagstaff, the director of ITV Digital Productions, said, “We’re delighted to be working with itv.com on another exciting and large-scale commission for one of the U.K.’s biggest TV shows. I believe our team consists of some of the best online producers and creative talents in U.K. digital production and through our close collaboration with production and press, we’re able to obtain unique access to talent, sets and crew. This latest announcement is a superb example of how the teams are deepening and enhancing the viewer experience, while also setting a very inspiring road-map for future digital commissions.”

Tobi de Graaff, the global director of TV distribution at ITV Global Entertainment, added, “Our sales team represents the U.K.’s longest-running and most successful television series, but just like in the U.K., our Coronation Street broadcasters around the world also want new ways to grow and engage audiences. Thanks to Patricia’s team, our international partners are getting a very exciting content proposition that provides their viewers with a 24/7 presence beyond the program’s airtime.”

Kate Bradshaw, the deputy managing director and head of online commissioning at ITV, commented, “The new Coronation Street website looks fantastic and it really belongs to ITV.com/Corrie. The exclusive video content is hugely entertaining and carefully branded to complement the official area. This is a significant and exciting example of the way we’re supporting ITV’s biggest shows online.”