BBC Worldwide and Starz agree 100 hour drama deal

BBC Worldwide and Starz co-produced Torchwood: Miracle Day. Picture: BBC/Steve Brown
Hot on the success of Torchwood: Miracle Day, BBC Worldwide and US broadcaster Starz have announced a multi-year partnership to development “premium” TV shows.

The deal allows for the production of “more than 100 hours of globally appealing series” with distribution rights being shared between the partners.

The shows will be distributed by Starz in the United States and English-speaking Canada with the BBC’s commercial arm handling international distribution.

Details of the series covered by the deal will be announced at a later date.

The broadcasters are currently celebrating a positive reception to the fourth series of Torchwood, the first show they have collaborated on.

“When I came to Starz, we determined that forging strong international partnerships would play centre stage in financing our ramp-up of dynamic original programming,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.

“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, Head of BBC Worldwide Productions said: “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.”

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