Premium cable channel Starz has signed a raft of deals in recent weeks to make its growing library of original scripted series available on online-only subscription video on demand (VOD) platforms.

Amazon nabbed the exclusive U.S. rights to The White Queen, Starz’ first deal with that platform. Meanwhile Netflix customers will be able to watch Spartacus and Magic City in the U.S. beginning in February.

The deals are all part of a broader strategy to monetize the Starz originals around the world, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Magic City, for example, will also appear on Netflix screens in Canada, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Nordic countries.

The White Queen will also be traveling to France and the Nordics.

Starz has seen a marked increase in its original output in recent years as it tries to remain competitive in the increasingly crowded television field.

The channel has already announced a second season of the critically acclaimed series The Missing, while fans are waiting with bated breath for the return of Outlander on April 4. Pirate drama Black Sails also just returned for the start of its second season.

Up next in 2015: The Girlfriend Experience and Ash vs. Evil Dead, as well as new seasons of Da Vinci’s Demons and Power.

Starz has been careful to retain its own rights to feature its originals, even as it deals away online SVOD rights. In each of its deals, Starz retains the right to make its originals available on its Starz platforms.

Read More: The Hollywood Reporter

Brief Take: Producing original content is expensive. Starz is taking a smart approach to keep that production affordable.

Tags:


  Save as PDF