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tvtimes · 23-08-2007, 18:02

Hi all,

A member on digitalspy.co.uk has just posted this information about v1.co.uk
and it sounds very interesting!

Groundbreaking comedy and interactivity to be the stars of Virgin 1's website!
As you all know, the launch of our fantastic new TV channel Virgin 1 is just around the corner and now its website is taking shape.

It's going to be a real break from the norm. Virgin 1 is going to be the first UK channel website to have integrated social networking (think myspace and facebook) when it launches.

Packed with unique and interactive content, the site will consist of five main sections - Laugh, Watch, Share, Download and Talk - each with the user at the heart of the experience.

People will be able to surf in from two directions - either via virgin1.co.uk, or via the virginmedia.com portal, ensuring that we keep visitors in the family.

We know that comedy is a priority for Virgin 1's audience, so the "Laugh" section of the website is well underway. We've teamed up with world-famous comedy producers Hat Trick productions - the brains behind Father Ted, Have I Got News For You and the Kumars - to provide new and unique comedy content for the site. Hat Trick's established talent and new up-and-coming comics will be producing content especially for the website, across a diverse range of categories. This includes animation, stunts, sketches, podcasts and stand up.

But this is also about user generated content (UGC) - i.e. stuff from our viewers. We'll be encouraging the site's own on-line community to generate their own sketches and animations, and Hat Trick will cast their eye over the best ideas. Better still, the best comedy from Virgin.1.co.uk will be re-versioned into a TV show for the Virgin 1 channel, giving the website the chance to truly unearth the UK's next top TV comic.

The Hat Trick deal is just the start - we'll be looking to team up with other top talent to really make virgin1.co.uk the nations number one comedy portal.

The "Watch" section will contain everything viewers expect from a TV channel website - and a lot more besides. Uniquely, every programme - from blockbuster acquisitions such as The Riches to commissions such as the Leo Houlding Project - will have have its own social networking â€œprofileâ€ for viewers to link to and interact with.

Exclusive previews, catch-ups and streaming will be available for a selection of Virgin 1's groundbreaking shows and exclusive commissions. New and exclusive content will also be specially commissioned for the site - ensuring that Virgin1.co.uk becomes an entertainment destination in its own right.

In a UK first, the social networking approach will allow communities to grow around each of Virgin 1's shows, bringing viewers closer to the programmes and stars they love. For example, as well as watching Star Trek on Virgin 1, fans will be treated to exclusive footage on Virgin1.co.uk from conventions over the world. This and other content will give fans a forum to create communities and upload, download and share content. We're also creating a personal "MyVirgin1" feature which will allow users to message other users, create blogs, upload and download content as well as join groups.

Celia Taylor, Director of Programmes for Virgin 1, told us: "virgin1.co.uk will give people a superb entertainment experience in its own right. The website will be packed full of great content, collaborating with users to create communities and social networking. In terms of attitude, the website will be genuinely brave, risky and exciting - everything we want the channel to represent. I'm especially delighted by the comedy partnership with Hat Trick, which is a brilliant first step in our long term comedy strategy. It's truly groundbreaking and is certain to draw people into the Virgin 1 world."

So, watch this space. We'll let you know when it's launched!

23-08-2007, 18:02	#1
tvtimes cf.addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 297	virgin1.co.uk update Hi all, A member on digitalspy.co.uk has just posted this information about v1.co.uk and it sounds very interesting! Groundbreaking comedy and interactivity to be the stars of Virgin 1's website! As you all know, the launch of our fantastic new TV channel Virgin 1 is just around the corner and now its website is taking shape. It's going to be a real break from the norm. Virgin 1 is going to be the first UK channel website to have integrated social networking (think myspace and facebook) when it launches. Packed with unique and interactive content, the site will consist of five main sections - Laugh, Watch, Share, Download and Talk - each with the user at the heart of the experience. People will be able to surf in from two directions - either via virgin1.co.uk, or via the virginmedia.com portal, ensuring that we keep visitors in the family. We know that comedy is a priority for Virgin 1's audience, so the "Laugh" section of the website is well underway. We've teamed up with world-famous comedy producers Hat Trick productions - the brains behind Father Ted, Have I Got News For You and the Kumars - to provide new and unique comedy content for the site. Hat Trick's established talent and new up-and-coming comics will be producing content especially for the website, across a diverse range of categories. This includes animation, stunts, sketches, podcasts and stand up. But this is also about user generated content (UGC) - i.e. stuff from our viewers. We'll be encouraging the site's own on-line community to generate their own sketches and animations, and Hat Trick will cast their eye over the best ideas. Better still, the best comedy from Virgin.1.co.uk will be re-versioned into a TV show for the Virgin 1 channel, giving the website the chance to truly unearth the UK's next top TV comic. The Hat Trick deal is just the start - we'll be looking to team up with other top talent to really make virgin1.co.uk the nations number one comedy portal. The "Watch" section will contain everything viewers expect from a TV channel website - and a lot more besides. Uniquely, every programme - from blockbuster acquisitions such as The Riches to commissions such as the Leo Houlding Project - will have have its own social networking â€œprofileâ€ for viewers to link to and interact with. Exclusive previews, catch-ups and streaming will be available for a selection of Virgin 1's groundbreaking shows and exclusive commissions. New and exclusive content will also be specially commissioned for the site - ensuring that Virgin1.co.uk becomes an entertainment destination in its own right. In a UK first, the social networking approach will allow communities to grow around each of Virgin 1's shows, bringing viewers closer to the programmes and stars they love. For example, as well as watching Star Trek on Virgin 1, fans will be treated to exclusive footage on Virgin1.co.uk from conventions over the world. This and other content will give fans a forum to create communities and upload, download and share content. We're also creating a personal "MyVirgin1" feature which will allow users to message other users, create blogs, upload and download content as well as join groups. Celia Taylor, Director of Programmes for Virgin 1, told us: "virgin1.co.uk will give people a superb entertainment experience in its own right. The website will be packed full of great content, collaborating with users to create communities and social networking. In terms of attitude, the website will be genuinely brave, risky and exciting - everything we want the channel to represent. I'm especially delighted by the comedy partnership with Hat Trick, which is a brilliant first step in our long term comedy strategy. It's truly groundbreaking and is certain to draw people into the Virgin 1 world." So, watch this space. We'll let you know when it's launched!