CBBC to premiere Henry Winkler series on iPlayer

UK kids channel CBBC will launch its new comedy drama series Hank Zipzer on its online iPlayer platform before broadcast.

The upcoming scripted show stars Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler and is based on his book Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever, which – is based on the star’s own experiences as a young boy growing up with dyslexia.

Kids series 4 O’Clock Club (pictured) debuted on iPlayer ahead of CBBC late last year and Hank Zipzer debuts next Tuesday (January 21) on the service. It bows a week later on CBBC.

The pattern of releasing episodes on iPlayer a week ahead of broadcast will be repeated through the 13x30mins run.

The online debut is part of a trial that involves up to 40 hours of BBC content going out on iPlayer ahead of linear TV. 4 O’Clock Club had almost 500,000 requests on iPlayer in the first week of availability.

Victoria Jaye, head of TV content for BBC iPlayer, says: “We want to draw on BBC iPlayer’s popularity to help grow new hits for the BBC, so we’re excited to see how far premiering Hank Zipzer can drive more viewers to this exciting new show.”