This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/15/ricky-gervais-david-brent-youtube-channel

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ricky Gervais resurrects David Brent with YouTube channel launch Ricky Gervais resurrects David Brent with YouTube channel launch
(7 months later)
Ten years after David Brent departed British TV screens, the "chilled-out entertainer" is to be resurrected online as its creator Ricky Gervais launches an original YouTube channel.Ten years after David Brent departed British TV screens, the "chilled-out entertainer" is to be resurrected online as its creator Ricky Gervais launches an original YouTube channel.
The channel, which went live on Friday, will host new sketches, podcasts, and behind-the scenes interviews from the forthcoming sequel The Muppets… Again! starring Gervais and US comic Tina Fey.The channel, which went live on Friday, will host new sketches, podcasts, and behind-the scenes interviews from the forthcoming sequel The Muppets… Again! starring Gervais and US comic Tina Fey.
It will also be home to original clips of Brent, the hapless Slough middle manager who will feature in BBC1's Comic Relief special on Friday night.It will also be home to original clips of Brent, the hapless Slough middle manager who will feature in BBC1's Comic Relief special on Friday night.
The online move makes Gervais the best-known addition yet to YouTube's growing lineup of original channels, which it launched in October last year in an attempt to capture the rise of internet-connected TV and compete with traditional rivals.The online move makes Gervais the best-known addition yet to YouTube's growing lineup of original channels, which it launched in October last year in an attempt to capture the rise of internet-connected TV and compete with traditional rivals.
Gervais said: "Working with YouTube is a fantastic opportunity for new content to be made available without the limitations of schedules and international restrictions. Viewing habits are changing. And anyone who doesn't realise that will be left behind.Gervais said: "Working with YouTube is a fantastic opportunity for new content to be made available without the limitations of schedules and international restrictions. Viewing habits are changing. And anyone who doesn't realise that will be left behind.
"I am very excited to be working with a platform that is so instant and accessible. And to catch up with David Brent is going to be fantastic.""I am very excited to be working with a platform that is so instant and accessible. And to catch up with David Brent is going to be fantastic."
The YouTube detail is a co-production with Derek Productions, Gervais's firm behind the Channel 4 comedy series Derek, and the London-based online video company ChannelFlip.The YouTube detail is a co-production with Derek Productions, Gervais's firm behind the Channel 4 comedy series Derek, and the London-based online video company ChannelFlip.
"Ricky Gervais already has a huge fan base on YouTube and they'll be thrilled to see what he's got up his sleeve including the next adventures with the infamous David Brent," said Ben McOwen Wilson, head of content partnerships for northern Europe at YouTube."Ricky Gervais already has a huge fan base on YouTube and they'll be thrilled to see what he's got up his sleeve including the next adventures with the infamous David Brent," said Ben McOwen Wilson, head of content partnerships for northern Europe at YouTube.
YouTube is said to have ringfenced $100m (£65m) to devote to securing programming for its channels, letting viewers subscribe to their favourite comedians, artists or shows for the latest clips. The Google-owned video site is aiming to create 25 hours of programming a day as it aims to compete with traditional broadcasts and move away from the slapstick shorts that made it famous. A handful of channels have launched since October last year, including original content from Jamie Oliver and the Channel 4 show Balls of Steel.YouTube is said to have ringfenced $100m (£65m) to devote to securing programming for its channels, letting viewers subscribe to their favourite comedians, artists or shows for the latest clips. The Google-owned video site is aiming to create 25 hours of programming a day as it aims to compete with traditional broadcasts and move away from the slapstick shorts that made it famous. A handful of channels have launched since October last year, including original content from Jamie Oliver and the Channel 4 show Balls of Steel.
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.