Channel 4 has announced a new online showcase space for up-and-coming comedy, to add to its on-air talent initiatives Comedy Lab and Comedy Showcase.

Entitled Comedy Blaps, the scheme will pilot around 24 new comedies on Channel4.com, with the content also available for free via video podcasts too.

The broadcaster is looking to commission in the region of eight independent production companies to work on Comedy Blaps, who will collectively produce around 24 videos. Channel 4 is currently talking to the production companies, with commissioning deals expected to be signed in April.

This new online pilot scheme will be overseen by Multi-Platform Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment, Jody Smith, and Comedy Editor Fiona McDermott.

Fiona McDermott says: "The long term goal for Comedy Blaps is that they provide the all important stepping stone for fantastic new talent to get their break through on screen. Ultimately the successes that emerge from this online series will be the talent we nurture in next year's Comedy Labs, so it's an exciting commission that we hope will yield some funny and inspiring pitches."

Jody Smith adds: "Commissioning short-form video will allow us to trial a broad range of talent and styles in a format that's easy to swallow online. We're looking into new ways of distributing the content - getting viewer feedback on these pilots is a priority over us building a portal."