Xbox begins original TV programming push in June

Microsoft is set to push its array of new original TV programming on Xbox One and Xbox 360 from June.

One of the first officially announced shows is Sci-fi drama Humans, set to air next year on Channel 4 in the UK and via Xbox in North America.

The eight-episode drama is based on the Swedish show Real Humans about human-like robot workers.

Bloomberg also reports that Xbox Entertainment Studios is gearing up to air five other TV series, with dozes more projects in development. Shows inlude a comedy sketch with Sarah Silverman and a stop-motion show by Seth Green’s Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, which also makes Robot Chicken.

Xbox Entertainment Studios head Nancy Tellem, who was hired last year upon the studio’s formation, said Microsoft was targeting Xbox’s core gamer audience of makes between 18 to 34.

“We aren’t trying to find something that’s going to be accepted by the largest common denominator, which is what a lot of people in the business look for,” she said.

“We’re focused on what we feel our audience on our platform wants.”

On the deal with Channel 4 to air Humans, Tellem added: "This deal with Channel 4 and Kudos underscores Xbox Entertainment Studios’ commitment to programming premium TV series with global partners and creating engaging interactive experiences – and sits alongside other original commissions including a Halo TV series executive produced by Steven Spielberg."