BBC Worldwide Productions and Starz sign multi-year production deal

Following the success of Torchwood: Miracle Day, BBC Worldwide and Starz have struck a deal to develop, produce, and distribute premium television series.

The multi-year partnership between the BBC's commercial arm and the American cable network will produce 100 hours of globally appealing series which will be distributed internationally.

The new programmes, to be announced at a later date, will be a series of one-hour dramas to be produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, in close partnership with Starz's Original Programming team.

"When I came to Starz, we determined that forging strong international partnerships would play center stage in financing our ramp-up of dynamic original programming," said Chris Albrecht, Chairman and CEO of Starz, LLC. "This exciting partnership with BBC Worldwide Productions is a major step in that direction. It will allow us to provide Starz subscribers more original programming, while delivering enhanced opportunity across all our domestic distribution businesses including Anchor Bay and Starz Digital Media. Jane Tranter, and the incredible teams at BBC Worldwide Productions and BBC Worldwide will be terrific partners, and we are very pleased to be able to extend our relationship with them through this venture."

Commented Jane Tranter, Head of BBC Worldwide Productions, "We're in a uniquely similar place to Starz. With Chris's arrival, Starz made a name in originals and is defining themselves as a true player in the U.S. premium cable territory. At BBC Worldwide Productions, we've hit our stride in the scripted business after starting these efforts just over two years ago. Working with Starz on Torchwood: Miracle Day has been a collaborative and invigorating journey. We're very much looking forward to bringing Starz' subscribers more of the programming they're coming to expect - intelligent, groundbreaking, and honest storytelling, which is synonymous with our BBC roots and values."

"Our partnership with BBC Worldwide Productions and BBC Worldwide allows Starz to more quickly capitalize on the strategic opportunity presented by the increasing global consumption of US premium TV series," added John Penney, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for Starz.

(Source: BBC Press Office)