Five inks deal to air Bebo hit Sofia's Diary on Fiver

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 17-Apr-08, 11:00

LONDON - Five has secured the broadcast rights to air the online drama 'Sofia's Diary' on its rebranded digital channel Fiver, marking the first time an online series has made the transition to a major UK broadcaster.

The series, which recently premiered on the social networking website Bebo, will be aimed at capturing the coveted 16- to 24-year-old audience.

The show was a massive hit on Bebo following its launch on March 14, with 5m viewers in its first two weeks online.

The debut episode of the series received more than one million views in its first 48 hours. Since its online debut, almost half a million people are tuning in to watch each episode.

'Sofia's Diary' follows the life of 17-year-old Sofia Taylor, played by newcomer Rachel Hyde-Harvey, as she adjusts to a new life living with her dad, step mum and step-brother in London.

The series will debut on Monday April 28 on Fiver, formerly called Five Life, with a three-minute programme screened each weekday at 4.55pm. An omnibus thirty minute episode will be shown every second weekend.

Hannah Barnes, director of programmes for Fiver and Five US, said: "Quality programming for 16-24s is booming on the internet, and our decision to showcase Sofia's Diary shows our commitment to 16-24s, which is part of our wider strategy in building a further connection with this group."

Sofia's Diary was originally launched in Portugal in 2003 as an experimental web and mobile service.

The original programme now has 200,000 visitors a month online and more than 19,000 mobile subscribers.

Sofia's Diary has run for four series on Portuguese state broadcaster, RTP2, and has since been adapted for audiences in Brazil, Chile, Turkey and Vietnam.

The move follows news that ITV will be airing sci-fi series 'Sanctuary' on its digital channel ITV4.

The 13-part show, which stars 'Stargate: SG-1' actress Amanda Tapping, was first launched online in May 2007. It attracted more than 500,000 people in the first month.