In the last week both the BBC and Channel 4 have announced their latest forays into multi-platform TV.  Not surprisingly both have decided to target the ‘yoof’ market to test their propositions.

Hollyoaks  ‘show within a show’ idea will see characters talking about, and watching a drama show called Runners.   Runners will be about life working as an intern in the showbiz and fashion industries and will include sequences shot at events such as the Brit Awards.  Thanks to Broadcast for the info.

As well as brief clips of Runners appearing in the soap, Hollyoaks fans will be able to watch a full three-minute online episode each weekday for the 10-week initial run. Episodes are planned to appear on C4's Hollyoaks website as well as on Bebo, MSN Messenger TV, Facebook and iTunes.

The BBC’s working title “‘Mouth to Mouth’ is a cautionary tale, following the highs and lows of the three members of girl-group Cat's Eyes through individual monologues.”  The programme will be made available across selected web and mobile platforms prior to transmission on BBC 3.  An un-specified amount of additional content will also be exclusively available online to “expand the narrative”.

This is all well and good, but as the BBC wisely points out

"BBC Three is committed to producing a steady stream of innovative and creative multi-platform projects.  The latest of these, Mouth to Mouth, is all about powerful writing and great acting talent. The essentials of quality content are not going to change, whatever the platform."

This advice is totally correct and I really hope they both get it right.