Xbox Original TV Shows Could Debut In Early 2014; Microsoft Rumored To Have Hired AMC Exec

It seems like Microsoft is set to debut their original shows in early 2014. According to president of entertainment and digital for Microsoft, Nancy Tellem, the company is very close to launching their original shows on Xbox Live. In an interview with Variety, Tellem teases a possible release date for the original shows. "We're hoping we will be able to put something up in the first quarter, at minimum second quarter," Tellem told Variety. "I'm incredibly ambitious and impatient," she continued.

Tellem has an extensive resume working with big companies like CBS and the CW so she knows her stuff. In the interview with Variety Tellem discusses the kind of content she and her team want for Xbox. "Depending on the piece of content, the deals change," Tellem adds. "We're talking about exclusives, exclusive first windows, exclusive second windows. We play a lot with windows and co-production arrangements" and "whether we feel these are ideas are franchise building or we can own completely."

She also adds about original programming, "We're trying to focus on whether it's only on Xbox or best on Xbox," Tellem said. Referring to exclusive series or interactive features such as the NFL broadcasts. She adds that interactivity may be useless if a show doesn't resonate with audiences. Still, with the amount of Xbox owners out there we are sure that more than one of the original programs will resonate with more than a few gamers.

Currently there are 48 million Xbox Live subscribers on more than 72 million Xbox consoles around the world. Many of these owners are looking forward to the upcoming TV content, who wouldn't want an all-in-one machine? TV, gaming and more all in an Xbox. As of now, it is uncertain which shows will be aired first for Microsoft but it does mean we are closer to seeing Spielberg's "Halo" project. It was also rumored that the company was working on a fifth season for hit-show "Heroes."

Meanwhile It was reported by Variety that Ari Mark, director of development for unscripted original programming at AMC was leaving the cable company to join the new programming unit overseen by Nancy Tellem. Mark is the man behind the development of AMC's unscripted series "The Pitch" and "Talking Dead." At Xbox, Mark will have a hand in growing an original slate and it is rumored that he is already involved in a program which caters to the male demographic involving soccer and skateboarding.

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