Britbox drops Survivors from its TV series collection

Survivors on Britbox

BRITBOX, THE STREAMING archive television platform that, in September 2020, made all three series of Survivors available to watch online through its subscription service, has now withdrawn the programme from its collection.

The move follows the expiry of the licence to stream the series agreed with the BBC.

Both series of the 2008-2010 remake of Survivors, which were also previously available through Britbox, have now been withdrawn as well.

Britbox recently announced that in future it would be delivered through the ITVX Premium platform – which would become “the new home of BritBox”.

New Survivors audiobook – voiced by Carolyn Seymour

Survivors: Ghosts and Demons - cover

A NEW AND original Survivors audiobook, voiced by Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant), will be released by Big Finish in November 2021.

Written by Ethan Milsea, Survivors: Ghosts & Demons will be released as a digital download, and is available to pre-order now. The new audiobook will be set during the first TV series, close to events of twelfth episode Something of Value.

The release of new audiobook Survivors: Ghosts & Demons is in addition to the new full-cast Survivors audio series New Dawn announced by Big Finish on 13 July 2021.

A press release issued on 23 July 2021 provides more details about this new release.

Carolyn Seymour is a survivor once more, as she reads the latest Survivors audiobook from Big Finish Productions.

“A national emergency has been declared by Westminster as panic violently grabs hold of the population. Hospitals are being overrun and there are numerous incidents of mobs charging the entrances, fighting staff and each other. Some have died in the crush…”

Based on Terry Nation’s original BBC TV series, Survivors is a post-apocalyptic drama concerning the plight of a group of people who have survived a worldwide plague. As they fight against the odds – and each other – to survive, you’re never quite sure who’s going to make it from one story to the next…

Due for release in November 2021, Ghosts & Demons is read by Carolyn Seymour – who has played the series’ courageous heroine, Abby Grant, on television and audio since the 1970s. This audiobook focuses on the community of survivors banding together at their adopted home, the Grange, where there’s danger in the air…

Survivors: Ghosts & Demons is now available to pre-order as a digital download for just £9.99, exclusively HERE.

In order to survive, you don’t just need food. You need hope… And the survivors at the Grange are at breaking point. Food is running short and tensions are high as Abby and Greg try to find ways to keep their new community alive.

But, community isn’t the only way of survival in this new world.  

There’s the vicious gang, who take pleasure in destruction and violence…

The Lord and Lady, who are still waited on by the butler in their country manor…

The loner who finds that the biggest battles he faces are with his own mind…

And when these groups collide, the outcome is bloody, and devastating. 

Producer Xanna Eve Chown said: “Ghosts and Demons is set during the first series of the TV show, at about the time of the episode Something of Value, where tensions are running high at the Grange. We also get to meet some new characters from various walks of life and see how they are settling into the new post-plague world. Hint: Some are doing better than others…”

Survivors: Ghosts & Demons is now available to pre-order as a digital download for just £9.99, exclusively here.

Please note that Survivors: Ghosts & Demons contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Survivors on Britbox

Detail from Survivors banner on the Britbox platform, September 17 2020 (right-hand view)

FROM TODAY ALL three series of Survivors are available to stream, and to download for offline viewing, from the subscription-based and ad-free Britbox service.

Britbox is a recent collaboration between the BBC and ITV which brings together archive, classic and contemporary television programmes from both services’ catalogues.

Back in the 1970s, the BBC screened each series of Survivors only once. With no repeat broadcasts on terrestrial TV, it was not until the launch of cable and satellite television services in the 1990s that Survivors secured another screening on British TV screens.

Back then, the UK Gold station provided a platform for many classic cult and genre TV shows including Blake’s 7, Doomwatch and The Prisoner. All three series of Survivors regularly appeared on the UK Gold schedule, with the show’s last run ending with the broadcast of series three finale “Power”, shortly after midnight on Monday 27 April 1998.

While the first series of Survivors was released on VHS video (three times within ten years) and all three series on DVD (between 2003 and 2005), the show has not been made available through any UK TV service since the sign-off on UK Gold.

As well as Survivors, the Britbox catalogue currently includes all four series of Terry Nation’s Blake’s 7, genre favourites UFO, Space 1999, Quatermass and the Pit, Star Cops, The Avengers, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and, naturally enough, Doctor Who.

Britbox is accessed through a web browser on a PC, laptop or tablet. A Britbox app is available for mobile devices and smart TVs.

The service offers a free seven day trial, and is available to subscribers for an ongoing monthly fee which provides unlimited access to the full contents of Britbox (which operates within the UK only).

Unlike other online programme services, such as Amazon Prime and Netflix, Britbox has not yet commissioned new programmes. Although it has acquired rights to some original dramas, Britbox’s main focus is on “previously enjoyed” content.

Listing for the first three episodes of series one of Survivors on the Britbox platform, 17 September 2020
Listing for the first three episodes of series one of Survivors on the Britbox platform, 17 September 2020
Detail from Survivors banner on the Britbox platform, September 17 2020 (left-hand view)
Detail from Survivors banner on the Britbox platform, September 17 2020 (left-hand view)

Twenty years since the death of Survivors’ creator Terry Nation

Terry Nation

Today (9 March) is the twentieth anniversary of the death of Survivors‘ creator Terry Nation, who died from emphysema in Los Angeles, US on 9 March 1997 at the age of 66.

Nation enjoyed a long and varied career as a scriptwriter and show creator, notable for his contributions to Doctor Who and his work on numerous other TV series throughout the sixties and seventies and into the eighties. As well as creating Blake’s 7, Nation also devised the small-screen post-apocalyptic classic Survivors.

After he relocated to Los Angeles in 1980, Nation tried unsuccessfully to convince a US TV network to remake Survivors for the American TV market. Nation could hardly have imagined what would have become of Doctor Who in the last two decades, but the story of Survivors has also continued to evolve in ways the series’ creator could not possibly have anticipated, including:

  • The release of Survivors on DVD in different formats and packages, and for different regions, in the UK, America, Australia and Italy
  • The arrival of the first commercially published book to explore the genesis and production of the series.
  • The broadcast of a two-series, twelve-episode ‘re-imagining’ of Survivors by the BBC between 2008 and 2010
  • The re-publication in 2008 of his out-of-print 1976 Survivors novel
  • The release of the first ever audio-book version of his Survivors novel by Big Finish in 2014, voiced by Survivors actress Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant)
  • The release of a series of new and original audio-adventures, set in the time and place of the original Survivors TV series, and involving the three original core stars of the show: Carolyn Seymour, Lucy Fleming (Jenny Richards) and Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston). This audio series will result in, at a minimum, 36 new original episodes, with releases (which began in 2013) now confirmed to continue until at least the end of 2018
  • The publication of two book exploring Nation’s talents as a scriptwriter (including his work on Survivors) – Jonathan Bignell and Andrew O’Day. 2004. Terry Nation, Manchester: Manchester University Press; and Alwyn W Turner, 2001 Terry Nation: The Man Who Invented the Daleks, London: Aurum

 

Big Finish confirm series eight and nine for Survivors audio dramas

Big Finish have confirmed (21 December 2016) that a further two series of Survivors audio adventures have been given the go-ahead; and will be released in June 2018 (series eight) and December 2018 (series nine) respectively.

Following the release of series five last month, series six and series seven had already been confirmed for release in June 2017 and November 2017.

This excellent news means that (alongside the audio-book version of Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel) Big Finish will have created and released no less than 36 original Survivors audio stories by the close of 2018.

Series six, seven, eight and nine are all available for pre-order on the Big Finish web site.

Big Finish - Survivors - Series 2 - four days to go to release...

Flashback to 2015… and a pre-release teaser poster for Survivors series two audios…

Big Finish celebrates reception for Survivors series five audio adventures

Big Finish - Survivors - recording session - December 2016

Big Finish have published an end-of-year round-up of the outstandingly positive reviews that have greeted the release of the fifth series of Survivors audio dramas.

Survivors 5 – A Critics’ Cracker!

We take a look at the critics’ reception of our most recent Survivors release…

(Thanks to David Richardson for this photo from this month’s recording of Survivors – Series 6)

Since its arrival in November, Survivors – Series 5 has received enthusiastic reviews for the four new stories from writers Andrew Smith, Christopher Hatherall and Simon Clark, starring Carolyn Seymour, Ian McCulloch and Lucy Fleming.

Starburst gave the latest release 10/10, saying: “As it explores the highest stakes possible, this develops into the most thrilling and compelling set of stories in Big Finish’s Survivors series to date: which, considering the exceptional quality of the drama in the preceding four instalments, is quite some achievement. This is extraordinary, exemplary human drama; by any standard.”

“All the best box sets work on many levels and this is one of the best – it’s a morality tale, it’s a broken mirror to the world we live in, it’s a character study, it’s a battle of humanity against the virus but more than anything this is the story of Carol Baker. A tale of despair, a tale of hope and a tale of the spirit of humanity both good and bad – and its another classic 10/10,” – Planet Mondas Blog

Sci-Fi Bulletin judged, “Survivors Series 5 is the strongest entry in the franchise so far. It uses a string of excellent guest stars, top class writing and direction to explore the fragile, tenacious hope that powers this world… If you’ve not heard Survivors yet start at the beginning, it’s worth it. If you have, this is the best series yet. 10/10”.

“Survivors offers a challenging listening experience,” says Cultbox, “and this latest season continues to deliver some genuinely shocking moments, not least at culmination of the first episode. Despite its 70’s setting, it also contains some very pertinent parallels surrounding the movement of refugees, and makes us ask the question of how far we ourselves might go in order to survive. 5/5”.

Mass Movement Magazine‘s Tim Cundle concluded his review: “If you are a fan (and if you’re not, then you should really be asking yourself why not and doing your damndest to rectify that as soon as possible) and you are familiar with the series, then you’re going to love every single second of the rapidly unfolding drama that lives at the heart of Survivors Series Five. Survival is everything…”


 

Until the end of the month, Survivors – Series 5 remains at the frozen pre-release prices of £20 on Download and £25 on CD (in each case going up by £5 from January). Check out the range here, including the four previous series, Carolyn Seymour‘s haunting reading of Survivors by Terry Nation, pre-order prices on next year’s Series 6 and 7, and even a free episode: Survivors – Revelation.

Survivors – special offers from Big Finish this weekend

Big Finish - Survivors - combination cover image

AHEAD OF THE release of the fifth series of Survivors audio adventures later this month, Big Finish are this weekend (4-7 November 2016) offering discount deals on the first two series of the audios and the celebrated audio-book reading of Terry Nation’s 1976 Survivors novel.

Survivors Special Offers

Ahead of this month’s fifth series of the acclaimed audio revival of Terry Nation’s Survivors, we have some special offers for those eager to hear this series for themselves…

Later this month, Big Finish releases the fifth series of our award-nominated revival of Terry Nation‘s classic 1970s series Survivors. For this entire weekend we celebrate the range with special offer prices on the first two series starring Ian McCulloch, Lucy Fleming and Carolyn Seymour, and also on Carolyn‘s evocative reading of Terry Nation’s original novel:


 

Survivors – Series 1 and Series 2 can each be bought on Download for £18.00, and £20 on CD (instantly unlocking a digital version which can be downloaded or listened to on-the-go via the free Big Finish apps on iOS or Android). The Survivors Audiobook is £12 on Download and £15 for the CD and unlocked digital version. A CD and a Download Survivors bundle each collecting these three titles can be bought for £50 and £45 respectively.

For a completely free taste of the range, check out Survivors – Revelations, Matt Fitton‘s opening episode, shortlisted in the 2015 BBC Audio Drama Awards. The entire range can be explored here, including the chance to pre-order Series 5, Series 6 and Series 7 at special prices and free UK postage until release.


 

These special offers end at mid-day (UK time) on Monday 7th November. Series 5 is released exclusive to Big Finish listeners later this month, and is then on general release at the end of 2016.

Survivors - offers from Big Finish - November 2016Survivors - Big Finish - November 2016

“The Death – it’s come back…” Trailer for series five of Big Finish’s Survivors audios

Big Finish have released the first trailer for the fifth series of Survivors audio adventures, due for release next month and available for pre-order from the Big Finish web site.
 

 
Big Finish - Survivors - series five - slipcase

Synopsis

It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world’s population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces.

Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again. But viruses are survivors too…

5.1 The Second Coming by Andrew Smith

Millions died when the plague swept the globe. Such a thing couldn’t possibly happen again – or could it?

When Abby Grant and Evelyn Piper both arrive at Carol Baker’s Maythorne community, a chain of events is set in motion that could unleash a new wave of death across the country.

5.2 New Blood by Christopher Hatherall

Danger surrounds Whitecross when a simple border dispute exposes deadly tensions between those who live side by side.

Greg Preston and Jenny Richards soon find themselves fighting for their lives, as people in the grip of a terrible new fear turn to the old ways to protect themselves…

5.3 Angel of Death by Simon Clark

Emerging from a quarantined Whitecross, Greg and Jenny discover that the danger they glimpsed at Springton is far from over.

Meanwhile, as isolated communities find themselves exposed to a disease they know nothing about, Abby joins a desperate race to save lives.

5.4 Come the Horsemen by Andrew Smith

In times of crisis, rumour and fear run rife across the decimated landscape of Britain. Evelyn and Abby experience the lethal effects of this panic first hand.

At such times the worst of humanity is exposed. Can Greg and Jenny find the best in those around them? Or is there no way to avoid the coming of the horsemen?

Individual episode reviews for Survivors Big Finish series four published

Individual episode reviews for each installment of series four of Big Finish’s Survivors audio adventures have now been added to our Survivors: Big Finish mini-site. There you’ll find in-depth plot summaries and reviews of:

Big Finish - Survivors - series four - audios - cover

Survivors series four audios – Vortex 88 feature

The imminent release of the fourth series of original Big Finish Survivors audio adventures is covered in a four-page, full-colour feature in the latest issue of the free-to-download Vortex magazine (No 88). In the article, script editor and script writer Matt Fitton reflects:

Survivors is one of the hardest things to do, because it is rooted in the real world and deals with tough issues. You get to ask very moral questions. At the same time, it’s also one of the most rewarding series to work on. It’s always a thrill to go back to the world of Survivors

Survivors - audio series four - Vortex - 88

Kenny Smith. 2016. ‘Begin Again’, Vortex, No 88, pp.12-15. https://www.bigfinish.com/vortex/v/88