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Cult sci-fi series Blake's 7 will return - for Xbox Live subscribers

by Mark Tyson on 16 August 2013, 09:30

Tags: BBC, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), PC

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A remake of the cult sci-fi series Blake's 7 will be hitting the screens of Xbox Live subscribers according to the Financial Times. Sources speaking to the FT said the series will be redeveloped for the 21st-century by London-based Motion Picture Capital (MPC) and director Martin Campbell of Casino Royale fame. This is seen as an important step for Microsoft in creating original exclusive TV programming ahead of the Xbox One launch. Both Microsoft and MPC have declined to confirm or deny the story.

Last year Comcast NBC's Syfy channel announced a deal to remake Blake's 7 but Microsoft has managed to poach the deal somehow. The FT insider said that Microsoft "agreed to finance development and production of the show, although it had not committed to a full series". Perhaps we will get a half series taster and then the accountants can check the profitability before the second half gets the go ahead.

Alongside this Blake's 7 series Microsoft is known to have struck a deal with Steven Speilberg to produce a series based on the Halo game franchise. This original programming content strategy is similar to internet  streaming rivals Netflix and Amazon's strategies. Having exclusive media content is important for Microsoft as it sets out to position the Xbox One as an entertainment hub, not just a games console.

The original Blake's 7 ran to four series on the BBC spanning the late 1970s and early 80s. The series was devised by Terry Nation who also wrote many Dr Who stories.

Xbox One launch downscaled from 21 to 13 countries

In other related news Microsoft has revised the list of countries which will see the Xbox One launched in November. At this year's E3 a list of 21 countries was put forward as those who would be initial launch markets, now that list has been whittled down to just 13. The privileged 13 include The USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and New Zealand.

Countries which will now instead get availability of Xbox One consoles "as soon as possible in 2014" include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland. Microsoft said "We understand this will be disappointing news for our fans in the impacted countries, and we are doing everything we can to bring Xbox One to you as soon as possible next year." People who ordered the Day One edition in the impacted countries will receive an unidentified free game in-pack.



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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I am a geek.

I love good sci-fi.

I hate, completely and utterly despise Dr Who. I have little faith that Blake's 7 will be any better.

Meanwhile, Battlestar Galatica remake was amazingly good until the writers strike.

I just want to say again, what a steaming pile of low grade cow dung Dr Who is. No interesting ideas, terrible plot, worse acting, with cheesy CGI as if its cute. Yuck.
The privileged 13 include The US, USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and New Zealand.

Are you sure, Mr Tyson?

;)
snootyjim
The privileged 13 include The US, USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and New Zealand.

Are you sure, Mr Tyson?

;)

They get it twice.
so that means it will be an almost american cast !!!!
Which means it won't be a proper remake :)
I loved it when i was younger .
TheAnimus
I am a geek. I love good sci-fi.
Yep
TheAnimus
I hate, completely and utterly despise Dr Who. I have little faith that Blake's 7 will be any better.
Hate the Moffat Dr Who, it's like a speeded up version of EastEnders with CGI. I'm willing to give the B7 remake a chance, although saying that the director also directed Casino Royale isn't much of a recommendation in my book. It'l be interesting to see who they cast, I'm hoping for a bunch of “nobodies” enlivened with a really strong Blake and Servalan - Glynis Barber or Jane Badler FTW in my book!
TheAnimus
Meanwhile, Battlestar Galatica remake was amazingly good until the writers strike.
Saw one episode of the first series and thought the acting was more wooden than the original. Then again, I was hacked off with the way Eureka got dealt with, so I'm not a big fan of SyFy channel.
TheAnimus
I just want to say again, what a steaming pile of low grade cow dung Dr Who is. No interesting ideas, terrible plot, worse acting, with cheesy CGI as if its cute. Yuck.
Okay, we get it, you hate Dr Who…
A remake of the cult sci-fi series Blake's 7 will be hitting the screens of Xbox Live subscribers according to the Financial Times. … This is seen as an important step for Microsoft in creating original exclusive TV programming ahead of the Xbox One launch.
Hmm, to misquote Douglas Adams, “this is a use of the phrase ‘original programming’ that I wasn't previously aware of” - how can a remake be “original”?