Celebrating the joys of iPlayer

Frank Skinner is to return to the chat show – hosting a new programme exclusively for the BBC iPlayer.

On Demand With… will launch weekly from November 13 and feature guests talking about the programmes they are enjoying on the on-demand service.

Lee Mack will be the first guest; Zoe Ball in episode two and Josh Widdicombe in episode three.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘Frank Skinner On Demand With… aims to showcase the breadth and variety of content available on BBC iPlayer in a given week across all genres, from documentaries and comedy, to film, food and music and arts, with a particular focus on titles beyond the “big hitters”.’

Victoria Jaye, head of TV content for the iPlayer said: ‘Frank Skinner On Demand With… is not just a cracking entertainment show in its own right, it’s also a fantastic way of helping audiences find out more about the wealth of programmes we have in BBC iPlayer.

‘We’re thrilled Frank is hosting this show - he’s a wonderful interviewer, a massive fan of BBC iPlayer and his passion and those of his guests for BBC content is certain to inspire our audience to explore new titles within the service. This show is reinventing “word of mouth” for the on-demand audience.’

Skinner added: ‘As a kid, I had a recurring dream that I was alone in the local toy shop and could help myself to anything I fancied. BBC iPlayer feels a bit like that dream. But now I’m allowed to take a playmate, to show me the things they love that I might have missed. And everything they reach for tells me more and more about them. Come and join us in the best toy shop ever.’

Skinner hosted his own ITV chat show from 1995 and 2005, and now presents the BBC’s Room 101 as well as a Saturday morning show on Absolutely Radio.

The executive producer of On Demand With... is Ed Sleeman, commissioning editor for BBC Entertainment. It is independently produced by Liberty Bell, a division of Avalon, Skinner’s agents; the producer is Daisy Knight and the executive producer is Robyn O’Brien.

Published: 26 Oct 2015