Netflix

Netflix's pursuit of more original content has reportedly yielded "Marco Polo," an upcoming dramatic series under production by the Weinstein Company.

The streaming company has acquired the rights to the series, which chronicles the 13th-century merchant's adventures in the court of Kublai Khan, according to TV Guide. The nine-episode series, which is expected to be released in 2014, was originally under production for Starz, but the movie channel reportedly released its hold.

CNET has contacted Netflix for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

Netflix sees development of original content as key to helping the content streaming service build its audience and challenge the likes of HBO. Although the company hasn't revealed exactly how many people are watching programs such as "House of Cards" and "Arrested Development," Netflix did credit its original content strategy with helping deliver higher second-quarter profit last month.

Perhaps validating that their content quality is on par with HBO content, Netflix shows recently garnered Emmy Award nominations in major categories. And despite a lukewarm reception to its effort to resurrect "Arrested Development" on the Web, Netflix recently said it was "delighted" to make another season of the series.

(Via The Verge)