Teen Soap Hollyoaks Gets Interactive

Channel 4 New Media and launched a series of broadband and mobile extensions to the popular teen-oriented soap opera, “Hollyoaks”. The website has begun offering new services including “Hollyoaks Xtra,” a video fanzine designed to provide viewers with more information on the series’ actors, with cast interviews and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

The “Hollyoaks Bitesize” daily catch-up service will offer a round-up of individual episodes, with two 60-second packages available for each episode, allowing viewers to catch up on the main storylines from the show. Clips will cost 50p each and will be viewable on all 2.5G and 3G mobile phones and on the Hollyoaks Web site.

The “Hollyoaks Weekender” mobile-only service will allow viewers to watch new “Hollyoaks” mini-episodes on Saturdays and Sundays, with 60-second episodes following the “Hollyoaks” cast in storylines parallel to that of the main program. Mobile subscribers can access the Channel 4 Mobile portal by texting the word “MOBILE” to 83188, and purchasing clips downloads for 50p.