Chris Albrecht


50 Cent heading to MIPTV for Power debut

Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, will be in Cannes for MIPTV to unveil his new drama series Power. MIP is hosting the world premiere of the upcoming drama series, which will be on Starz in the US. The premium cabler’s sales arm is distributing the show and will be preselling it in Cannes. Show talent […]

News brief: Starz ups Penney

US cable operator Starz has upped John Penney to chief strategy officer. Penney has been promoted from executive VP, strategy and business development and reports to Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. Prior to joining Starz, he was at HBO and president and head of corporate development of Foresee Entertainment, a media and entertainment company he co-founded […]

Starz promotes pair as production push beckons

Starz has promoted Melissa Harper and Richter Hartig to senior VP at the premium cable channel’s original programming production unit. Harper (below, left) will become SVP, production and original programming production and Hartig SVP, original programming production finance. Both have seen their responsibilities expanded as the volume of Starz’s original series grows. Starz CEO Chris […]

News brief: Former Turner VC joins Starz board

The former vice-chairman of Turner Broadcasting System, Andrew Heller, has joined the board of US premium cable channel Starz. Heller spent 27 years with TBS parent Time Warner before retiring earlier this year. During that time he spent a decade in charge of distribution of 10 domestic Turner channels to cable, telco and satellite industries. […]

Huguez exits, Thornton takes over in Starz distribution shake-up

Starz has upped Michael Thornton in a reorganisation of its distribution activities that also sees Ed Huguez exit. Thornton (above) has been elevated to chief revenue officer, a new role that puts him in charge of network sales and affiliate marketing and international programme sales and digital media. Huguez is stepping down as president, affiliate […]

Starz pirate series sails to second season

Starz has greenlit a second run of its pirate series Black Sails – before the first season has even aired on the US premium cable network. The Michael Bay-produced drama will launch next January on Starz. The eight-episode first season of the authentic pirate adventure follows Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his men, and takes […]

Starz orders drama series from rapper 50 Cent, will sell internationally

US premium cable net Starz has ordered Power, an original drama series that will be executive produced by rapper and entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The one-hour series will follow a gangster and drug dealer as he seeks to build a legitimate night club business. The show will be produced by CBS Television Studios and […]

Piers Morgan, Virgin, Lionsgate making Fleet Street drama for Starz

TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan is executive producing a drama about 1970s Fleet Street for US cable network Starz. Fleet Street was the epicentre of UK journalism for decades and Fleet Street the series will the rise of tabloid journalism, the sexual revolution and class warfare, all seen through the eyes of an American […]

Shooting Starz

Starz has built a solid slate of original programmes in recent years with the Spartacus franchise a cornerstone. As that comes to an end the cable network is looking at ordering more contemporary stories as well as sci-fi to sit alongside its high-end historical drama. Managing director Carmi Zlotnik tells TBI about the original programming […]

Starz plans originals boost

US cable network Starz is committed to boosting its original output following its split from Liberty Media and is also looking at other types of programming deals, its CEO Chris Albrecht has said. “We’re still targeting 50 hours [of originals] over the next couple of years, but we’re certainly evaluating that, and a lot of […]