'Hollyoaks' to launch cross-platform content

Hollyoaks viewers will be able to watch additional footage of the soap on the internet and mobile phones.

Production company Conker Media is to introduce cross-platform content for the Channel 4 show in a bid to meet the viewing demands of its technology-savvy young fans.

The firm, which is owned by Hollyoaks producer Lime Pictures, told The Stage that it plans to create storylines which can spill over from TV on to other platforms.

Conker boss Lee Hardman said: “This year you’ll see more innovation around storytelling within Hollyoaks. A particular idea we have will see stories kick off in the main show that end up playing out on broadband and mobile platforms. But it won’t spoil your viewing of the main show on Channel 4.”

He added: “Audiences watch Hollyoaks on Channel 4 and then switch over to see the first look episode on E4. We want to look at how we can continue that leap onto channel4.com.”

Hardman likened the concept to the video-only episode of Brookside called The Lost Weekend. The extended show picked up the action from the Friday night programme and left it at the point where the next episode began the following Monday.

The new content is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year.