All six episodes of Chris Lilley’s comedy will go on the catch-up service days before  TV broadcast in an online first

Chris Lilley’s new comedy series, Jonah from Tonga, will be made available on the ABC’s catch-up TV service iView before being broadcast on ABC1, a first for Australian broadcasters. BBC Three, a co-broadcaster of Jonah, will also offer the entire series on the BBC iPlayer first. All six episodes of the comedy about Jonah Takalua who was expelled from the fictional Summer Heights High, will be on iView for what the ABC has described as “binge viewing” on the weekend of 2 May. It will be broadcast traditionally on TV from 7 May on Wednesday nights.

Putting a program online first flies in the face of the conventional path taken by the networks because an online viewing doesn’t count towards the TV ratings, which determine whether a program has been successful or not. But the appetite of younger viewers to consume shows all in one sitting is growing and binge viewing may create buzz around the first broadcast, in particular on social media.

Lilley’s last series, Ja’mie: Private School Girl, was not a major ratings success for ABC1 but did very well on iView and has garnered the actor a nomination for most popular actor in the TV Week Logie Awards next month. Producer Laura Waters of Princess Pictures said: “Jonah from Tonga is a thrilling series, coming out in the most thrilling era of television. Chris and I will always put the fan’s experience first. We’re so excited that people can choose their own way of getting involved with Jonah.”

The ABC’s iView is the most successful catch-up service in Australia, with 15m monthly program plays. The ABC’s head of online and multiplatform, Arul Baskaran, said: “We’re firm believers in innovation and improving how technology can deliver outstanding Australian content to audiences no matter where they’re watching, and we’re thrilled to now offer binge viewing of a highly anticipated show from one of Australia’s most respected comedic talents.”

Amanda Meade – theguardian.com, Thursday 17 April 2014