BBC launches YouTube channel with exclusive clips

The BBC have just signed a deal with YouTube that will see many exclusive new BBC video clips posted onto the video sharing site, many of them comedy related. As of today Web users can access these clips via www.youtube.com/bbc.

At the time of writing there are already exclusive video diary entries from Lenny Henry, Russell Brand, Rob Brydon and Armstrong and Miller on the Beeb's new branded YouTube channel.

There's also a clip from the new BBC2 sitcom Fear, Stress and Anger and previews of BBC2 comedy-drama Roman's Empire (clip below), Gavin and Stacey (a new BBC3 sitcom) and the much anticipated new sketch show from Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse.

Channel 4 have also announced a significant development to their video-on-demand PC service which will be good news for comedy fans. From the 26th March the broadcaster will be offering all its commissioned programmes of the past seven days for free via 4oD. In other words, you'll be able to watch new Channel 4 sitcoms (such as the new series of Peep Show which is coming soon) on your PC when it suits you. The downloads will be free as they will be supported by advertising.

It should be noted the programming will only be free-to-download from 4oD for seven days and must be watched within the seven days. Programmes in the 4oD archive cost 99p an episode to watch.