BBC3 is to become the first UK channel to premiere a programme over its broadband website service.
BBC3 is to become the first UK channel to premiere a programme over its broadband website service.

The channel is debuting the second run of its comedy The Mighty Booshavailable online on 19 July, with each episode being previewed online a week before it is aired on the digital channel.

The entire series, produced by Baby Cow Productions, will then be available for viewing for seven days after the final episode is transmitted.

The programme will not be available for download, but will instead be streamed on the channel's website for watching through a branded media player.

The BBC will factor in the number of online viewings into the programme's overall ratings.

The project is the latest technology experiment by the channel, which is also trialling a digital satellite service offering viewers a choice of three on-demand programmes at 9pm on Sunday night.