Channel 4 has announced that new episodes of Hollyoaks will be released first on All 4 starting from next month.
The broadcaster said that the move is in response to the long-running soap's popularity via the streaming service and also fits into Channel 4's wider strategy of pivoting towards an 'All 4 first' mentality.
Caroline Hollick, Channel 4's head of drama, said: "It feels like a natural step for Hollyoaks with its youthful outlook and audience to be the first UK soap to premiere new episodes on our streaming service on an ongoing basis.
"Our loyal audience want to get their soap fix when they want, where they want it and the series' continued popularity on All 4 proves that with this new 'stream-first' approach we are serving a much broader range of viewers, from those who want to stream, to those whose tea time ritual is kicked off with Hollyoaks each evening."
Lucy Allan, exec producer on Hollyoaks, added: "We are excited to see Hollyoaks embrace the digital first proposition so favoured by its youth skewing audience, this feels progressive and full of opportunities for the show."
New episodes of Hollyoaks will begin streaming on All 4 from weekday mornings from early March, with linear broadcasts following as usual at 6.30pm on Channel 4 and 7pm on E4.
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