BBC3 comedy to air on the web first

The Mighty Boosh are to achieve a broadcast first – by streaming their show over the internet.

The first episode of their new series will be available to broadband web users on July 19 – a full week ahead of its transmission on BBC Three.

And fans will be able to catch up on episodes they missed, as the shows will be available until seven days after the series has ended.

The comedy, starring Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, is the first to use the BBC’s new – a video version of its popular Radio Player that offers programmes on demand.

A number of BBC Three comedies will follow also be premiered via broadband in the coming months.

Jana Bennett, the BBC’s director of television, said: ‘The broadband premiere of The Mighty Boosh is a significant step forward in offering our audiences even greater value in a changing television world.

‘It is one of a number of pilots that BBC Television will be undertaking over the next few months, exploiting the opportunities that new technologies offer to look at how programmes might be delivered beyond the traditional linear broadcast.’

Produced by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's Baby Cow Productions, The Mighty Boosh  was nominated for Best Comedy Newcomer at last year’s British Comedy Awards.

The broadband premiere of The Mighty Boosh – made by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal’s production company Baby Cow - follows BBC Three's pioneering multiscreen trial which was launched in May.

From 9pm on Sunday nights, digital satellite viewers can press the red button to watch their choice of three BBC Three programmes, in addition to the channel’s live transmission.

Channel controller Stuart Murphy said: ‘It's a natural progression for us to make our programmes available on broadband. More and more homes are getting connected and there are now over six million broadband subscribers in the UK.

‘Crucially, it can deliver a television experience whenever people want it.’

Meanwhile, BBC Two will be packaging their Thursday schedule as a dedicated comedy night from next week

A new series of trailers, featuring the likes of Catherine Tate and Stephen Fry in sketches showing the BBC Two logo as a dog, will promote the new line up.

The Catherine Tate Show, Fry's Absolute Power sitcom and Ricky Gervais's long-awaited Extras will all find homes in the new slot.

Published: 7 Jul 2005