Starz Digital Hawks ‘Power’ In The U.K.

Starz Digital Media, the digital and on-demand licensing and syndication arm of Starz, is selling episodes from new original series Power in the U.K. via select electronic outlets in the U.K. on the Mondays after their Saturday premiere in the U.S.

Starting Monday (June 9), the first episode of the series is being sold in the U.K. via Amazon Instant Video, blinkbox, Google Play, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network and Xbox Video.  New episodes will be made available for individual purchase in the U.K. on Mondays following the exclusive Saturday night premiere on Starz in the U.S., the company said.

The early EST window in the U.K. makes sense for Power, as Starz does not currently distribute the series via traditional pay-TV partners and other subscription-based channels, though Starz remains hopeful that such deals can ultimately be struck.

“Enthusiasm from our digital partners in the United Kingdom for the latest STARZ Original series, ‘Power,’ led us to give UK fans a unique opportunity to purchase episodes the next business day after their respective worldwide premieres,” said Mara Winokur, SVP, digital at Starz Digital Media, in a statement. “’Power’ is a contemporary drama that will especially appeal to younger demographic audiences.  Coupled with strong  cross-promotional interest from our partners for Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson’s recently released new album, ‘Animal Ambition,’ which features select songs from ‘Power,’ and interest in this market is piqued for the hot new series.”

Power, from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and creator Courtney Kemp Agboh, tells the story of a visionary crime drama set in two different worlds – the glamorous New York club scene  and the brutal drug trade.  The show, produced in association with CBS Television Studios, stars Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton and Joseph Sikora.

The first episode of Power’s eight-episode first season premiered on Starz on Saturday, June 7.