The BBC is launching a new online platform allowing the public to make their own content using brands such as EastEnders, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing.
Called Mixitl, the platform is part of the BBC’s Make It Digital project that launched on Wednesday. It will also include special programmes aimed at bringing digital technology and themes to a wider audience.
The first set of online activities to be included in Mixitl include an EastEnders ‘Soap Generator’ for creating comic-style storylines using different camera angles, sound effects and characters and a Strictly Come Dancing robot generator.
There will also be a Doctor Who game generator using characters and locations from the show, launching on 15 September.
BBC director general Tony Hall said: “Our country has led so many of the world’s tech and digital innovations, and BBC Make It Digital will help give us the skills we need to succeed in the future. It’s another great example of the BBC I believe in – an open BBC, working closely with others to achieve something far greater than we could on our own: to inspire the nation to get coding and get digital.”
The Make It Digital season, running until 26 September, will also feature special programming across BBC TV and radio.
TV shows include a two-part, feature-length dramatisation of the making of controversial computer game Grand Theft Auto on BBC2 called The Game Changers, a science panel show with Brian Cox and a BBC3 talent show, Girls Can Code.
Radio programming will include a Women’s Hour special on computer scientist Ada Lovelace, and a 4Xtra show on second world war code-breaking centre Bletchley Park.
The Make It Digital initiative also includes plans to offer 5,000 young unemployed people places on a digital training programme, teaching skills such as web design and short video editing.
