January 26, 2015 - 16:27 AMT
BBC launches BBC Taster online interactive service

The BBC has launched a new online interactive service called BBC Taster, Digital Spy reveals.

The service will feature experimental ideas for digital content and technologies across TV, radio and online, including interactive and social projects.

The first release includes new content featuring Lena Dunham, Jennifer Saunders, Run the Jewels and Simon Reeves, as well as several top BBC brands.

Ralph Rivera, Director of BBC Future Media, said: "Innovation has been at the heart of the BBC since the birth of radio and TV, right through to the digital age - having pioneered products and services like the BBC Micro, Ceefax, BBC iPlayer and the first truly digital Olympics in 2012.

"BBC Taster is the next step, bringing together our editorial and technology experts and opening the process up for audiences. This will give us valuable feedback and technical insights, helping us further develop our ideas and work on those with the greatest potential."

Director Danny Cohen added: "We've always pushed the boundaries with our creative programming and innovative digital services. These two worlds are coming together and opening up new possibilities for telling stories.

"BBC Taster will help ensure we stay at the forefront and better serve audiences now and in the future. It's an exciting opportunity for our world-class production teams to take more creative risks online, try their ideas out and put them in the hands of audiences."

New content will be added into Taster as more projects and ideas are created. At launch, a full 40-minute interview between Dunham and Saunders from Newsnight can be viewed.