MUMBAI: Starz Entertainment and BBC Worldwide Productions have inked an innovative multi-year agreement to develop, produce, and distribute premium television series.

These series will be co-developed by Starz and BBC Worldwide Productions and will air on Starz’s television networks. The new series will be one-hour dramas that appeal to the Starz and international audiences. BBC Worldwide Productions will produce the series, in close partnership with Starz’s Original Programming team. The programs, to be announced at a later date, will be distributed by Starz in the United States and English-speaking Canada. BBC Worldwide will distribute the series internationally.

"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," said Starz chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht.

BBC Worldwide Productions head Jane Tranter added, "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."

For Starz, BBC Worldwide Productions, and BBC Worldwide, the partnership represents a new and innovative approach to developing, producing, distributing, and financing potentially more than 100 hours of globally-appealing series. Both companies see significant strategic benefits from the globally focused approach.