Camelot will begin streaming weekly National Lottery draws on Facebook Live for the first time, starting in January 2017.

The stream will take place on Saturday nights, at the same time each week, and give National Lottery players the opportunity to watch live draws, along with the latest lottery news, features and special studio guests. It will be the first scheduled regular programme on Facebook Live for UK audiences.

The move comes as part of Camelot’s long-term digital innovation strategy, with their aim to have greater use of technology to access content multiple devices and platforms at home, at work and on the move.

“We’re delighted to be able to announce our new Facebook digital strategy – being able to offer National Lottery players the chance to watch a live Saturday night draw show within their Facebook feed is a hugely exciting development,” said Camelot digital director Tim Copper. “It means we’ll be able to give players access to the content they want to watch – when, where and how they want to watch it.

“This new partnership will deliver exciting, unique, bespoke content to National Lottery players in the palm of their hands.”

Camelot will be able to schedule live content and remind people of upcoming draws. Viewers will also see a ‘countdown’ to live broadcasts if they access the page before a draw has begun.

Its another example of Camelots work to bring the Lottery into digital. Its work with Barclays Pingit won Most Effective Mobile Payment Solution at last weeks Effective Mobile Marketing Awards, and over 70 per cent of lottery players now check their numbers online.

Meanwhile, Camelot will also continue its partnership with the BBC, announcing a three-year extension to their current contract also starting January 2017.