Social media network Bebo today announced the commission of a second series of 65 episodes of new interactive online teen soap Sofia’s Diary. The second installment brings the series total to 130 bite-sized chapters of the lives of Sofia and her friends in London.

Since its debut in mid March, Sofia’s Diary has experienced huge popularity online with 12.9 million interactions to date. In April, the series became the first of its kind in the UK to make the crossover to traditional television with Fiver adding Sofia’s to its schedule, where it has screened daily to high acclaim. Read more & comment »

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) and FIVER announced today that FIVER has secured the broadcast rights to the hit online drama, Sofia’s Diary. Sofia’s Diary is a new multi-platform series which has recently premiered on the social networking site, Bebo. The series follows the life of 17-year-old Sofia Taylor (newcomer Rachel Hyde-Harvey), charting her ups and downs as she adjusts to a new life living with her dad, step mum and baby step-brother after being sent to London by her mum after getting into trouble at school. In a reverse of the trend to make existing TV shows available online, the two- to three-minute internet episodes will air on FIVER from end of April.

The series is already proving a phenomenal success online among teens and 20 somethings – a generation that is looking beyond mainstream media to shape its worldview. The debut episode of the series, which airs on the internet at www.bebo.com/sofiasdiary, received more than one million views in its first 48 hours. Since its online debut, almost half a million people are viewing each episode. Among the highlights of the show are Sony BMG acts, The Ting Tings and The Script which are woven into the storyline. Read more & comment »