UKTV controller Matthew Littleford is planning to boost the number of cross-platform commissions to increase the broadcaster’s reach across new platforms.

The broadcaster is also understood to be considering changes to its structure to bring online and TV commissioners closer together, but any such moves are on hold until incoming chief executive Darren Childs starts his role in September.

UKTV has earmarked channels Dave, Home and Good Food as most likely to request more 360-degree orders due to their established online presence. Dave has attracted almost 7,000 fans on Facebook with a further 3,700 on Twitter.

Speaking at the Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, Littleford said it was vital to look to new platforms to increase the channels’ web presence.

“We’re talking a lot about how we can ramp up our multiplatform business. I’m having conversations with [director of factual, lifestyle and new media] Jane Mote and [director of commissioning] Jane Rogerson about how we can
commission more 360-degree content,” said Littleford. “It’s about driving brand awareness.”

He pointed to Dave’s 5 x 5-minute World Cup-themed web commission FC Dave, which starred David Baddiel.

In June, Dave ordered a 10 x 30-minute series of Carpool, an ad-funded chat show from RDF Contact. The series, filmed in a car and fronted by Robert Llewellyn, began life online.

Merging the TV and online commissioning role would mirror the steps taken earlier this year by former UKTV chief executive David Abraham in his new role at Channel 4.

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