Ripper Street, the BBC's dark and suspenseful Victorian crime drama, is coming back to our screens, but not as we might expect. Last month Amazon Instant Video announced it was resurrecting the critically acclaimed series. Cancelled after two seasons due to falling viewing figures, Ripper Street had a dedicated fan following who wanted it back. Amazon Studios responded with a collaborative funding offer. Now Amazon is funding production of a third series with a contribution from the BBC. Its a deal that will see the streaming service premiere the new series online prior to its broadcast on BBC1. Its becoming clear that the television playing field is changing. Traditional free to view and network broadcasters are coming under increasing pressure from streaming services whose decision to broadcast original content emulates the style of the major cable and satellite subscription services. Only this week the BBC acknowledged the shift in youth audiences accessing more content online in its decision to move BBC3 programming to online only. Meanwhile Peter Kays new comedy will air on iPlayer before BBC1. Production companies have become increasingly inventive in recent years too as television has diversified. In 2011 Primevals production team struck a deal with BBC Worldwide and UKTV digital channel, Watch, to keep the series alive for another two seasons. Over in the US, Arrested Development has been resurrected by Netflix and AMCs The Killing is also set to return for a fourth season on Netflix this year. The BBCs Ripper Street deal with Amazon Instant Video marks the first acquisition of a British television show by a subscription based streaming service with the intention to make more original episodes. Its a move thats left industry experts asking what this means for the future of British television. Join us as we look at some of the huge implications of this ground breaking deal and deliberate whether its for the better or worse. Go on and voice your ideas in the comment box too.
A freelance features writer and online film critic, Natalie idolises screen writers from Terrence Winter to Larry David and Wes Anderson. Her favourite movies include Beasts Of The Southern Wild, 21 Grams and Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, while her guilty pleasures range from nineties teen flick Clueless to Jurassic Park and pre-Darcy, Colin Firth movie, Valmont. Please don't judge.
Natalie is currently enjoying television's renaissance in Boardwalk Empire, True Detective, The Newsroom and Veep but still has a soft spot for The X-Files and Seinfeld.
