Just days after Starz Entertainment CEO Chris Albrecht said his company might not continue to produce the popular BBC show Torchwood,Starz and the BBC signed a multi-year agreement to co-develop and co-finance international television content produced by BBC Worldwide Productions.
According to the deal, Starz will distribute the shared content in the U.S. and Canada, while BBC Worldwide will distribute internationally.
Prior to this new agreement, the two companies previously worked together in a similar approach to co-finance and distribute ten episodes of Torchwood: Miracle Day, which has garnered strong reviews and solid ratings. Jane Tranter, head of BBC Worldwide Productions, recently announced that the first project to be developed under the new multi-year deal will be Da Vinci’s Demons, written by David S. Goyer. Until the advent of this pact, BBC Worldwide was primarily known for producing the hit ABC reality dance competition series Dancing with the Stars, but will now be a major supplier of scripted programming in America.
Regarding the partnership, Albrecht said: “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. 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.”
Likewise, Tranter declared: “[BBC World Wide Prods. is] in a uniquely similar place to Starz. With [CEO Chris] Albrecht‘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.”
Cheers to Chris and Jane for delivering more scripted BBC quality programming to American and British viewers living across the pond!
