Alliance Atlantis Communications, Back Alley Film Productions, cbc and ExtendMedia have announced a first in interactive, dramatic tv series.

Drop the Beat is a 13-part, hip-hop drama series – coproduced by aac and Back Alley, and to be broadcast on cbc in 2000 – that offers an enhanced, interactive, tv viewing experience through itv.

Microsoft Webtv subscribers watching the series will be able to simultaneously receive on-screen links to the companion website (www.dropthebeat.com) through itv pages that appear on their screen. They will also be able to log on to the companion virtual radio show, purchase concert tickets and the Universal soundtrack for the series.

The Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund assisted ExtendMedia with the itv component and the development of an accompanying website.

Through the website, the audience will be able to interact directly with the show’s characters through chat lines, message boards and other community-building opportunities. Viewers are also encouraged to contribute story ideas for future episodes.