MIPCOM 2014. US pay TV broadcaster Starz is launching an international OTT service in cooperation with Peter Ekelund’s Parsifal Entertainment.
Called Starz Play, the over-the-top video streaming service will launch in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“What we focused on is how quickly and dramatically HBO succeeded with its Nordic program,” Chris Albrecht, Starz chief executive, told the Financial Times, who broke the story last Sunday.
“The amount of money and capital investment needed to build these new platforms is a fraction of what it is to build a linear (television) channel,” he said. “This gives us an international business that has real potential.”
Peter Ekelund has worked with HBO on its Nordic venture. “Viewing habits are changing,” he said. “With on-demand behaviour consumers are getting used to another way to watch television.”
Starz’ original programming includes the TV series Spartacus (pictured)
