Starz & BBC Worldwide Sign Multi-Year Production Deal

[Bob The Skutter]

From Deadline Hollywood

On the heels of their collaboration on Torchwood: Miracle Day, Starz Entertainment and BBC Worldwide Prods. have signed a multi-year production agreement. Under the deal, the two companies will co-develop and co-finance multiple series, which will be produced by BBC Worldwide Prods. The potential output is estimated at more than 100 hours of drama series programming. Starz gets distribution rights for the U.S. and English-speaking Canada, while BBC Worldwide will distribute the series internationally. The deal essentially gives Starz a (non-exclusive) production arm without the large cost associated with overhead as Starz is looking to compete against its more established pay cable competitors on a far smaller production budget. The network already uses a similar approach in casting where it has been using the services of independent casting director Marc Hirschfeld who has been essentially serving as head of casting on a non-exclusive, consulting basis. The deal with BBC Worldwide will allow Starz to put on the air bigger-budget series as BBC Worldwide will deficit finance the shows, covering the difference between the license fee paid by the network and the series' budget. The company plans to cover the deficit by international sales, so all series developed and produced under the agreement with Starz will be designed with the global marketplace in mind. The first project in the works is the recently announced by BBC Worldwide Prods.' head Jane Tranter Da Vinci's Demons, written by David S. Goyer. The pact instantly makes BBC Worldwide Prods., known primarily for producing the ABC reality hit Dancing With the Stars, a major supplier of scripted series in the U.S.

This is interesting. Wonder if it'll lead to more Torchwood, too. I had speculated when Torchwood was done this way that it might have been an experiment to see if it worked as a way to produce shows cheaper for the BBC while keeping budgets up while their budget is getting lower at home. It appears it was.
It is apparently a $300m deal between the two companies, so sounds to be a major investment in scripted shows for both.

Has anyone heard of Da Vinci's Demons before?

 

[Starkers]

Wonder if all the shows will air on Staz before the Beeb

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Wonder if all the shows will air on Staz before the Beeb

Looking at the deal, yes. But the Beeb will be able to show it next night, much like Torchwood it will be their choice but Starz get premiere rights.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Da Vinci's Demons sounds interesting. Looking at Starz' success with Spartacus, I've been thinking they really need to build off that, and become a sleazier, guitly-pleasure version of HBO/Showtime (no way they can compete in the premium cable quality Olympics with those two and they shouldn't try.)

One show concept I've touted for them is a sexy, violent show about Satanic cultists, something really over the top. I can't find much on what Da Vinci's Demons is about (nothing at Amazon, maybe it's not based on a book like it sounds), but if Starz is smart, the "demons" will be more than just a metaphor. Ideally, it will be a more horror-laden version of the Da Vinci Code hooey, and not just a bio-pic of the guy, which would be way too tame for Starz.

 

[FlyingLemons]

I bet they'll nab Doctor Who at some point... and we all know how the American/UK co-production for that went.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

^Well they're saying this deal is so they can compete better with the bigger budget cable networks in terms of budget, looking at around $4m per episode shows between Starz and the BBC, with a 60/40 or 70/30 split on budgets, with Starz getting to choose which shows are commissioned.

So I don't necessarily think they need to go with sleazier shows to compete if they can make deals like that work. Just perhaps a couple of shows to keep that audience happy.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I bet they'll nab Doctor Who at some point... and we all know how the American/UK co-production for that went.

That wouldn't be a good idea for anyone. Starz should skew very adult, and a show originally developed for kids is the wrong idea.

I don't think sci fi in general is the best direction for Starz, because sci fi tends towards the intellectual, and Starz should go for earthier fare. A Victorian drama about a Jack the Ripper-esque killer, with supernatural overtones, for instance, would be a good fit. Or if they want a sci fi series, go cyberpunk with a lot of freakish mind-sex. (Too bad Trent Renzor is already developing a show for HBO, because he'd be perfect for Starz. However, for Reznor's stake, I'm happy he's with HBO. )

So I don't necessarily think they need to go with sleazier shows to compete if they can make deals like that work. Just perhaps a couple of shows to keep that audience happy.

They need to establish a brand for themselves. So far, all they have is "HBO, but not as good." Going for guilty-pleasure type shows that still have premium cable look to them is a way of distinguishing themselves from the competition, and Spartacus proves there's a hungry market for that. They need to be better than HBO/Showtime at something, and being "more fun" is certainly something that could change someone's mind when they're trying to figure out which premium cable station to plunk down that $20/month for...

And brand-building can't happen based on them driving down the costs with international co-productions. Audiences don't care that Starz getting a good deal on shows. Audiences still need to know why they should throw their $20/month at Starz and not HBO or Showtime.

Starz could pass on the savings to customers by lowering their price, but that's never a good option for a business, because then it's a race to the bottom. Instead, the smart option is to keep the same price and carve out a niche that isn't being served elsewhere.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

That being the case, the BBC probably aren't the best production partners.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Eh, the BBC could stand to let their hair down a bit.

But yeah, the Starz-BBC thing always struck me as a weird fit. Shouldn't the BBC be setting their sights on HBO? Maybe that deal fell through. Starz seems like some kind of consolation prize. It really doesn't have a good reputation in America. The only good show I've ever seen from them is Party Down.

Anyway, the BBC could always censor the saucier parts. I don't get Starz so I can't check it out for myself, but it sounds like Torchwood features a fair amount of gratutous sex that the BBC has been axing. The sex scenes on premium cable shows are rarely important to the story that I've ever noticed, so that's an easy edit.

 

[MacLeod]

Wonder if all the shows will air on Staz before the Beeb

Looking at the deal, yes. But the Beeb will be able to show it next night, much like Torchwood it will be their choice but Starz get premiere rights.

The deal might be different than the deal for TW, as my understanding is that was a co-production between Starz/BBC Worldwide and BBC Wales. BBC Worldwide is a subisderay of the BBC and is a sperate production company. In the case of TW as it was co-fianced by BBC Wales. Which is were a lot of critisim about places outside of the UK/US getting to see it before the UK as people in the UK had paid for it in part via the license fee.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

^Sky did a £5bn deal with HBO, their back catalogue and first look on any co-pros.

The BBC can do sex scenes fine, so long as it has editorial justification. BBC Two gets away with it easier than BBC One. There's only been 1 real sex scene on Torchwood and it was edited down on BBC but apparently there is more that aren't edited.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Wonder if all the shows will air on Staz before the Beeb

Looking at the deal, yes. But the Beeb will be able to show it next night, much like Torchwood it will be their choice but Starz get premiere rights.

The deal might be different than the deal for TW, as my understanding is that was a co-production between Starz/BBC Worldwide and BBC Wales. BBC Worldwide is a subisderay of the BBC and is a sperate production company. In the case of TW as it was co-fianced by BBC Wales. Which is were a lot of critisim about places outside of the UK/US getting to see it before the UK as people in the UK had paid for it in part via the license fee.

Well by the looks of it Starz get exclusive North American Rights and BBC Worldwide get international and DVD rights.

 

[Whofan]

Umm Doctor who is not a show for it is developed by the BBCs drama department not the cbbc and you have a bad histyory with this hsow temis the troll

 

[Kegg]

I don't think sci fi in general is the best direction for Starz, because sci fi tends towards the intellectual, and Starz should go for earthier fare.

I don't think the first statement is true or the second statement is an either-or.

Make a series about sex robots in the near future. Then the sex robots start killing people because they want to be free or something. Also, the robots learn to have sex with each other.

Sci-fi doesn't necessarily tend towards intellectualism any more than costume drama (i.e. Spartacus) need do.

And obviously if they're dealing with a variant of a Doctor Who spinoff they have some kind of interest in the genre.

The sex scenes on premium cable shows are rarely important to the story that I've ever noticed, so that's an easy edit.

Then you need to watch Game of Thrones. That series takes sexposition to new, terrible heights of unsubtelty. 'Here are some things you need to know. So you are not bored, here is some lesbian sex to look at while we tell you.'

^Sky did a £5bn deal with HBO, their back catalogue and first look on any co-pros.

Ayup. And it's made this the best TV year for me in a long while. When I get impatient for Fridays to roll around, and the reason is I need to watch more Big Love, then something's pretty wrong with me.

They're not doing bad with Showtime shows neither. Finally gonna air The Borgias; have had Dexter* for years.

*Well FX(UK) has. Same difference, I assume? Add that to Falling Skies and truth is I just don't watch any TV that isn't under the Murdoch umbrella, which is usually the case anyway.

 

[Skywalker]

The sex scenes on premium cable shows are rarely important to the story that I've ever noticed, so that's an easy edit.

Then you need to watch Game of Thrones. That series takes sexposition to new, terrible heights of unsubtelty. 'Here are some things you need to know. So you are not bored, here is some lesbian sex to look at while we tell you.'

Ugh. Probably the worst scene in the entire season, or at least close to it.

 

[cultcross]

Umm Doctor who is not a show for it is developed by the BBCs drama department not the cbbc and you have a bad histyory with this hsow temis the troll

Calling other posters 'trolls' is considered flaming on this board, knock it off. If you think a particular post is trolling, notify the moderator, who will decide. Stating a show was developed for kids, however, is not trolling.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Umm Doctor who is not a show for it is developed by the BBCs drama department not the cbbc and you have a bad histyory with this hsow temis the troll

Calling other posters 'trolls' is considered flaming on this board, knock it off. If you think a particular post is trolling, notify the moderator, who will decide. Stating a show was developed for kids, however, is not trolling.

Especially when it's true.

 

[Savage Jaw]

Shouldn't the BBC be setting their sights on HBO?

^Sky did a £5bn deal with HBO, their back catalogue and first look on any co-pros.

BBC are working with HBO on at least one new series, a new miniseries interpretation of I, Claudius, and I can't remember for sure but there might be others in the work too. The BBC have often worked with HBO in the past (co-producing together things like Band of Brothers, Rome, The Gathering Storm), but as Bob The Skutter has pointed out, British Sky Broadcasting went in and paid an absolute fortune for the HBO back and future catalogue (future only for where another UK broadcaster is not a co-producer) and first option on any co-productions, which adds complications for the BBC to work with HBO in the future.

If the Sky deal had not gone through, then its almost certain the BBC would have wanted a similar kind of deal with HBO to that which they now have with Starz.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

^Yeah, of course because it's only a first look on Co-productions doesn't mean if Sky turn it down the Beeb can't decide to take it up instead. And they've often worked together in the past so hopefully they will again in the future. Wouldn't be surprised to see work with Showtime too.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Umm Doctor who is not a show for it is developed by the BBCs drama department not the cbbc and you have a bad histyory with this hsow temis the troll

Calling other posters 'trolls' is considered flaming on this board, knock it off. If you think a particular post is trolling, notify the moderator, who will decide. Stating a show was developed for kids, however, is not trolling.

Especially when it's true.

But that's okay, I find it hard to take offense at posts with such luxuriant misspellings and typos.

Make a series about sex robots in the near future. Then the sex robots start killing people because they want to be free or something. Also, the robots learn to have sex with each other.

Sci-fi doesn't necessarily tend towards intellectualism any more than costume drama (i.e. Spartacus) need do.

Good idea for a Starz show.

Shouldn't the BBC be setting their sights on HBO?

^Sky did a £5bn deal with HBO, their back catalogue and first look on any co-pros.

BBC are working with HBO on at least one new series, a new miniseries interpretation of I, Claudius, and I can't remember for sure but there might be others in the work too. The BBC have often worked with HBO in the past (co-producing together things like Band of Brothers, Rome, The Gathering Storm), but as Bob The Skutter has pointed out, British Sky Broadcasting went in and paid an absolute fortune for the HBO back and future catalogue (future only for where another UK broadcaster is not a co-producer) and first option on any co-productions, which adds complications for the BBC to work with HBO in the future.

If the Sky deal had not gone through, then its almost certain the BBC would have wanted a similar kind of deal with HBO to that which they now have with Starz.

Well that explains it. Starz is the BBC's stand-in for HBO, since they've been outbid by Sky.