Bebo to increase original content

Bebo is boosting its investment into the creation of original content following the success of its online dramas KateModern (pictured) and Sofia’s Diary. The social media network will produce a minimum of six original productions next year.

The Bebo Originals initiative will see it develop a commissioning and scheduling policy for 2009 that will broaden out from dramas to encompass entertainment, reality and comedy.

The move will aim to build on the success of KateModern and Sofia’s Diary, which both went on to become TV shows.

Bebo Originals will be run by two new commissioners Kelly Brett and Kate Burns, who will be in charge of scheduling.

Bebo will also continue to broadcast third party productions and shows from commercial media partners, including Fonejacker and Top Gear.

Bebo president, Joanna Shields, says: “It’s been just over a year since we brought KateModern to Bebo and demonstrated the full potential of popular short form content broadcast over a social network.”