UKTV plans to revamp sites with social media and VoD services

According to an exclusive report by Broadcast magazine, UKTV is working on an overhaul of its entire website portfolio with a huge emphasis on social media and the addition of VoD services for each channel.

The digital cable and satellite television network, which is a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, plans to roll out the new services over the next 12 months, beginning with Eden. The revamped site for the wildlife and science channel is expected to launch before Christmas, with the other properties rolling out next year.

UKTV Head of digital delivery, Oliver Davies said the sites would be completely rebuilt from the ground up. “There is a bit of catch up as we don’t currently have much there. We need to make them much more dynamic to give people a reason to come.”

Part of this ‘dynamic’ revamp could include the use of Twitter, which would create interaction between viewers, and personalised recommendations.

The news comes as UKTV released viewing figures for the beta version of Dave On Demand which was launched to coincide with the return of a cult comedy favourite. Red Dwarf X was watched live by 1.5 million viewers and has been requested on the catch up player 30,000 times.

It’s expected that VoD services for Yesterday and Really will go live later this month.

You can read the Broadcast exclusive here.