Starz launching reality series online before TV

US premium cabler Starz is launching episodes of its first unscripted series online before it hits its linear service.

The Chair was Starz’ first original reality series order when it was greenlit earlier this year. The show pits two first-time directors against each other as they craft a film from the same screenplay with a US$250,000 prize on offer.

The first five episodes of the reality show will launch on Starz’ TV everywhere and on-demand services on Saturday, September 6. The launch on-demand and online will coincide with the premiere of the show on the Starz linear cable channel.

“Starz is making the first five episodes of The Chair available on the same day of the television premiere of the series to reach a young adult population that is in the vanguard of ‘bingeing’ on shows as their preferred method of viewing,” said Chris Albrecht, CEO of Starz.

American Pie and Good Will Hunting producer Chris Moore is exec producing The Chair, which has been produced by Starz, Steel Town Entertainment Project, Point Park University and Before the Door Pictures.