TCA 2010: Albrecht Says Starz Will Remain On Series Development Track

Starz will continue on the road to developing original scripted content, but will not rely on the category to define its brand, said Chris Albrecht, the network's newly named president and CEO.

The ex-HBO honcho spoke Jan. 16 during Starz's TCA winter press tour session here, noting he's pleased to join the network during a "challenging and somewhat dazzling time" in the entertainment business.

Albrecht, who joined Starz Jan. 1 as the successor to former Starz CEO Robert Clasen, said he will continue Starz' plan to have a weekly hour of original content all year, which includes drama series Crash and next week's debut of Spartacus, as well as sophomore comedy series Party Down and freshman laugher Gravity, which will debut April 23.

He added, however, that the network won't be solely defined by its scripted fare, but through a mix of other content as well.

Read more at MCN here.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.