BBC releases interactive episode of Casualty as part of new experimental broadcasting approach
The BBC has created an interactive episode of its prime-time drama, Casualty as part of the new part of its website devoted to experimental projects.
The episode, titled Casualty: First Day, was created by Digital Production Studio Fish in a Bottle in collaboration with the BBC’s Connected Studios and BBC Drama’s Casualty team.
It will give viewers the opportunity immerse themselves in the drama by taking on the role of a junior doctor making life or death decisions in Holby City's Emergency Department.
The episode was soft-launched on the BBC’s Taster site, an area of the BBC’s website devoted to experimental projects which it says might help define television and content in the future. It was shared over 2000 times with 48 hours and the BBC now plans to market it with its on-air promotions.
Fish in a Bottle’s Product Owner Rob Sloan said the project was “being tipped as an indicator for the future of content at the BBC and we’re incredibly proud to have played a part in that”. He said that the approach was taken to see if interactive video could “take a highly recognised brand like Casualty and grow its audience through a more immersive experience than TV can offer".
Sloan added that early results indicated a success and hinted that similar works could be on the way.