E-mail to a friend

E4.com to relaunch as social networking site

Published Wednesday 22 November 2006 at 15:15 by Liz Thomas

Channel 4 is revamping E4.com as a social networking site where users can audition online for next year’s Big Brother.

Websites such as MySpace and Bebo have proved an effective way attracting the 16-24 demographic, which advertisers are keen to access, at a time when television and traditional broadcast mediums are struggling to pull in young people.

Potential housemates for the eighth series of the reality show will be able to upload their audition videos on to the new look website, which at the moment carries only listings and programme-based information.

Independent production company RDF now uses a social networking site to help select entrants for new series of popular T4 show Shipwrecked. The vogue is set to continue as broadcasters increasingly produce and air programmes that are linked across platforms.

Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan revealed the plans for E4.com at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch today.

E-mail to a friend