Microsoft is looking to spice up its Xbox Live online entertainment service with original video programming. According to reports in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and elsewhere, Microsoft has inked a deal with Hollywood’s Safran Co. to form a new company, Safran Digital, to produce short form, original scripted programming that will appear on the Xbox Live service. Microsoft sees this deal as “the first of many,” with the first shows to debut this summer.
The first spate of shows will be scripted, short form pieces that will probably run under 10 minutes apiece. The initial programming wil cater to Xbox Live’s predominantly young, male demographic, with offerings likely to focus on comedy, horror, and extreme sports. Safran COO Jake Zim has apparently described the on-screen talent as “significant” but declined to reveal any casting deals. Initially, the shows will be exclusively available on the Xbox 360 network, but may eventually appear in other venues. Neither company has disclosed the financial terms of the deal.
Safran Co. was founded by Peter Safran and Jake Zim after leaving Brillstein-Grey Management. Peter Safran recently produced Meet the Spartans for Fox and New Line Cinema’s Over Her Dead Body; Zim helped launch online video site Hulu and has worked in digital promotion of horror films.
