Starz and Electus planning on new series

Pay-cable channel Starz is looking at broadening the width of its range. A few of the shows it is working on are about Marco Polo and William the Conqueror with Ben Silverman’s production company Electus. These shows are going to be accompanied by ‘Magic City,” Boss,” and “Le Morte d’Arthur.” On February 25^th the program is going to preview its first episode of the drama “Camelot” in hopes of challenging competitors Showtime and HBO with original programs. The dark magic and by issues of monarchy filled series is going to be Chief Executive and President Chris Albrecht’s first since he left HBO.

Mr. Albrecht explains it is essential for shows to look and feel different to what is offered by regular TV channels. Only this added benefit is going to make them pay the approximate $15 more each month instead of sticking with other cable providers. Camelot, to him, is a larger-than-life epic. It will not focus on the extensive battle scenes but instead ensure its costumes, landscapes and main actress Morgan Le Fay is going to make up for anything that might sound missing. "Those epic battle scenes of thousands of warriors moving together, that never pays off when you actually make it," said Craig Cegielski, executive producer and president of production house GK-TV, "We don't have the magic of a 40-foot screen."

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Weinstein Co. Partners With Electus Amid TV Push

Ben Silverman, founder of multi-platform production firm Electus, housed at Barry Diller’s IAC, recently teamed up on four shows with Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s company, which is planning to spend more than $10 million annually on TV productions. The company went through debt restructuring last summer and now has approximately 15 shows in development. Eight of these are planned to go on air by the end of 2011. Former co-resident of production at Miramax, Meryl Poster, was hired to be in charge of the TV business. Harvey Weinstein explained that thanks to restructuring they have positive cash flow again. "We can't go back, but we can reboot, and that's what we're doing. I think these shows can create some stability for the company and have the potential to be cash cows."

Projects they are currently working on are showing success, such as his current partnership with Silverman on The Marco Polo series, which has received offers from several cable networks. Silverman points out why he is so fond of Weinstein and their commitment. "Harvey and his company are willing to do the hard work to promote TV shows and really market them to create a platform around them, all of which I found very attractive in this crowded marketplace," he explained in a statement.

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