Microsoft to Jump Into Original Content Game With New TV Shows for Xbox

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On Monday, Microsoft (MSFT) will unveil a number of original TV shows being developed for its Xbox game and entertainment console.

Xbox One News

Xbox Entertainment Studios will discuss the slate of new shows at an event in New York City aimed at gathering media attention for the shows. Microsoft is planning to launch the first original TV show for Xbox in June, though the company is still working to craft the strategy behind Xbox programming, the Seattle Times notes.

Microsoft has dubbed the new content “Xbox Originals.” An Xbox Entertainment Studios executive said that the core audience for Xbox is men between the ages of 18 and 34. Microsoft is trying to discover what appeals to its audience and will launch a broad range of shows — comedies, dramas, reality shows and sports events — to see how the audience responds. Microsoft is also looking to see what interactive features are favored by viewers.

Original programming for Xbox will kick off in June with live coverage of Tennessee’s Bonnaroo music festival. A soccer-focused reality series — Every Street United — will also debut that month.

Producing original content to attract consumers is a growing trend among tech companies. Amazon (AMZN) and Netflix (NFLX) have created their own TV series. Other companies like Yahoo (YHOO) and Hulu are following suit. Microsoft gaming rival Sony (SNE) is also developing original content for its Playstation console.

MSFT stock climbed more than 1% in Monday morning trading.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2014/04/microsoft-jump-original-content-game-new-tv-shows-xbox/.

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