The BBC is to spend a reported £800,000 on eight 20-minute episodes of a new online drama aimed at teenagers.

Signs of Life, produced by Endemol, is described by the BBC's director of future media and technology Ashley Highfield as "Buffy meets horoscopes," and will be the "most ambitious internet format to date."

As well as being able to view as a conventional narrative, aspects of social networking will be used to give users more interaction. By answering various questions, such giving their star sign, viewers can build up a psychological profile of themselves, which can be dragged and dropped into a MySpace-like site.

Speaking to the Broadcasting Press Guild in London, Highfield revealed that the BBC is also planning to change the BBC website and offer a more "personal" online experience that connects with more of the broadcaster's content.