Writing on the SuperTechBlog site (18 January 2013), Colton Kaiser claims an ‘exclusive’, reporting that the streaming online film and TV company Netflix is in active talks with the BBC about commissioning a new, third series of Survivors.

Kaiser provides no evidence for the claim other than that an “inside source familiar with the matter” has revealed to the site that the BBC and NetFlix have “initiated talks to bring back British post-apocalyptic TV series Survivors.”

He goes on to suggest that, having optioned the rights to stream the first two series of the show, Netflix noticed “a ‘surprising number of views’ in the first few months of being available.”

Kaiser does conclude: “Of course, there’s no guarantee that these talks will result in a revival of the show.”

In recent months, Netflix has begun to commission both new and returning episodic dramas, which will by-pass international TV networks entirely and be made exclusively available throughthe web-based Netflix service. The first original drama series to be commissioned by the company was House of Cards, a dark political drama produced by David Fincher. Netflix has since announced a slate of new commissions, including a new series of the previously-cancelled comedy Arrested Development. Some reports suggests that Netflix has already commissioned its first British drama, but confirmed details are scarce.

Although the speculation is intriguing, What the report on SuperTechBlog omits entirely is that the BBC are not the only party with which Netflix would need to agree terms. As lead scriptwriter, producer and Survivors showrunner Adrian Hodges would hold rights in a number of the characters, characterisations and storylines any new series would need to pick up. More fundamentally, any new commission by a third party would require a fresh negotiation with the estate of Terry Nation to licence the right to use the original characters and premise.

However, the speculation is itself interesting – and this blog will continue to follow the story closely as either it evolves, peters out or is proven to be completely mistaken.

In the meantime, if you come across any confirmation or refutation of any part of the story, please get in touch via the Contact form or leave a Comment on this post.