A new partnership between premium pay-TV channel Starz and male-skewed YouTube network Machinima will bring new original series “Black Sails” online before its on-air premiere this month.
On Jan. 18, Machinima Prime will stream the entire first episode of the new series as its exclusive non-affiliate partner. Before then, however, it’s been posting teasers, trailers and behind-the-scenes features as a way to give the show exposure before its premiere.
The exclusive videos are set up to make Machinima an online destination for fans interested in “Black Sails” in the days before it goes on air. An example of the video extras is below, called “The Bloody Truth: Code of Conduct:”
“Black Sails,” executive produced by Michael Bay, launches on Starz on Jan. 25, one week after its Machinima Prime debut on Jan. 18. The network is also working with several online platforms to stream the first episode on the same day, including Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Maxim and Xbox as well as through on-demand partners.
Brief Take: By partnering with a non-premium partner, Starz is allowing the larger public a first look at its show before a more limited release on its own air. By doing so, the channel could gain viewers as the show gains fans.
[Image courtesy of Machinima]
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