watervole: (Default)
Judith Proctor ([personal profile] watervole) wrote2011-07-04 11:02 am

B7 news

B7 ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCE A LICENCE DEAL WITH BIG FINISH PRODUCTIONS TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL BLAKE’S 7 AUDIOBOOKS AND NOVELS.

LONDON, July 4, 2011: B7 Enterprises has announced a licence deal with Big Finish Productions to produce original audiobooks and novels based on Terry Nation’s popular science fiction series BLAKE’S 7.

 

Blake’s 7: The Liberator Chronicles will be launching in Spring 2012 on CD and download, and will be performed by the original stars of the TV series. Each box set will contain three discs, with each disc comprising a separate adventure performed by two of the show’s stars. There will be two box set releases each year.

 

The BLAKE’S 7 original novels will be released in hardback editions, each of approximately 60,000 words. There will be two novels per year – thus ensuring there’s a new BLAKE’S 7 release every three months!

Jason Haigh-Ellery, executive producer of Big Finish, says: “As a huge fan of Blake’s 7, it is a series that I have always wanted Big Finish to be involved with – and now we have the chance due to a ground breaking agreement with B7 Enterprises. It’s something that Andrew Mark Sewell and I have been discussing for several years and I am so pleased that we have come to an agreement.

 

Nicholas Briggs, executive producer adds: “’Blake’s 7 is something our listeners have been asking us to produce for ages, so I’m so pleased that we’re finally delivering!‘”

 

Andrew Mark Sewell, managing director of B7 Enterprises says: “We’ve long been an admirer of the audio dramas produced by Big Finish and are delighted that they will be lending their considerable talents to recapturing the spirit of the classic Blake’s 7 series with a series of new novels and audio plays. Even though thirty years has passed since the original television series ended, we’re sure that these new novels and audio stories will recapture the magic of Terry Nation’s original creation and reignite people’s passion for this seminal show.

 

The audio series will be produced by David Richardson, with Xanna Eve Chown as books editor. “I have two loves in science fiction,” says Richardson, “and they are Doctor Who and Blake’s 7. And now I get to produce both on audio! I couldn’t be happier.

Richardson adds: “The Liberator Chronicles will be a series of exciting, character-driven tales that remain true to the original TV series. We’re aiming for authenticity – recreating the wonder of 1978 all over again!

 

http://www.b7media.com/?p=814

 My God, we've only had to wait half a lifetime...  Will we finally see some decent professional Blake's 7 novels?  I wonder who they've got lined up as writers?  I'm a bit worried that they're going to be hardbacks. What kind of price are they looking at?

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kerravonsen: Liberator orbiting planet: One true ship (Liberator)

[personal profile] kerravonsen 2011-07-04 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. That sounds really promising.
paranoidangel: PA (Default)

[personal profile] paranoidangel 2011-07-04 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm a bit worried that they're going to be hardbacks. What kind of price are they looking at?

If they're anything like the Doctor Who Short Trips books they used to do, about £18 each.

[identity profile] davidbrider.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, that's exciting news!

I've no idea who they'll have lined up to write, but if they got Tanith Lee, Chris Boucher, Stephen Gallagher, and Gareth Roberts, I'd be happy.

ISTR Big Finish books are a.) always hardback and b.) not terribly expensive - probably around the £15 price tag.

ETA: The information at the website is minimal, but has a £14:99 price tag.
Edited 2011-07-04 10:25 (UTC)
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
You and I have different views on what is 'not terribly expensive'... £14.99 is a lot for me right now.

[identity profile] da-pol.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I assume you still have a library reasonably nearby? Worthwhile putting in an advance request for any titles as they're announced?

[identity profile] catalenamara.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't realize Big Finish did hardcovers - I'm only familiar with their audiobooks. Anyway, this is great news!

[identity profile] sallymn.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
Could be worthwhile... given the entire B7 Enterprises experience, I will withhold judgement till I see them, but I'm definitely willing to see what they come up with...
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
ah, but this is Big Finish. I've been praying for years that they'd give a licence to Big Finish. Their Dr Who stuff is excellent.