Jeffrey Hirsch Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Selome Hailu As Starz prepares to separate from parent company Lionsgate in 2024, it will reduce its staff size by 10%. Starz will also cease business operations in the U.K.

Ethan Shanfeld “Party Down” was an underdog show about underdogs — out-of-luck caterers who dreamed of one day rubbing shoulders with Hollywood rainmakers rather than serving them hors d’oeuvres. In the series, which ran on Starz for two seasons (2009-10), an ensemble cast led by Adam Scott and Ken Marino paraded around Los Angeles, working funerals, orgies and everything in between. The scrappy comedy got creative with a small budget, centering episodes around a corporate picnic or a one-man birthday party, which didn’t require hiring extras. Showrunner and co-creator John Enbom says the team wouldn’t pitch a “dog wedding,” for example, because they knew they “couldn’t afford to hire 20 animal trainers.”

Starz has rescued Minx, starring Ophelia Lovibond and Jake Johnson, following its HBO Max cancellation. The Lionsgate-owned premium network has stepped in to pick up both Season 1 and the unaired Season 2 of the period erotic comedy, produced by Lionsgate Television.

Starz International Networks President Superna Kalle is exiting after five years, replaced by Darren Nielson.

Starz is to rebrand as Lionsgate+ in 35 countries along with rebranding its logo, but will remain Starz in the U.S. and Canada.

K.J. Yossman International streaming service Starzplay has been rebranded as Lionsgate+. Available in 35 countries including the U.K. and Canda, the re-brand will roll out tomorrow (Sept. 29) across all territories. The full list of territories where Starzplay will re-brand as Lionsgate+ is: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Australia and Japan.

The writers behind ABC’s Black-ish, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, Disney’s Oscar-winning Encanto and Adam McKay’s satire Don’t Look Up are among the winners of the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes. The honors were bestowed Friday afternoon in a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Retiring ABC series “Black-ish” picked up one more honor on Friday, a Humanitas Prize for comedy teleplay, while Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” and ABC’s “Women of the Movement” also were recognized at the event. Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Larry Wilmore, the 46th annual Humanitas Prize event centered on awards and $10,000 cash prizes to screenwriters across ten categories. In addition, Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks presented Filmmakers for Ukraine with the Kieser Award “in recognition of their work to connect the Ukrainian film and TV community impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War with resources, jobs, and funding to meet basic needs.”

EXCLUSIVE: Humanitas said Monday that it will present Starz‘s #TakeTheLead diversity initiative with the 2022 Voice for Change Award, which will be bestowed during the organization’s annual awards luncheon on September 9 in Los Angeles. Jeffrey Hirsch, Starz President and CEO, and Kathryn Busby, Starz President of Original Programming, will accept the award which celebrates the initiative’s commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.

A consortium led by Emirates-based technology and investment group e& has agreed to acquire a majority equity stake in SVOD and streaming platform Starzplay Arabia.

Starz has handed a second season order to Power Book IV: Force. The renewal announcement Wednesday follows strong ratings for the February 6 debut of the third spinoff in the Power franchise, which notched the most-watched series premiere in Starz history, with 3.3 million multiplatform views in the U.S. alone.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Power Book IV: Force” has been renewed for Season 2 at Starz.The third spinoff of the original “Power” to debut on Starz, the series saw Joseph Sikora return as Tommy Egan, who leaves New York and finds himself caught up in the Chicago drug game. The series also stars Isaac Keys, Lili Simmons, Gabrielle Ryan, Shane Harper, Kris D.

Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said the plan by parent company Lionsgate to explore strategic options, including a potential spinoff, is sure to help his efforts to expand programming.

EXCLUSIVE: Kathryn Busby, EVP and head of TriStar Television, is leaving the Sony television label to become President of Original Programming for Starz. Reporting to Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO of Starz, Busby will lead the programming and development team, staying the course set by the premium network and global streaming platform several years ago with a programming mandate committed to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.

Four days after its debut, Starz is giving 50 Cent’s “BMF” a second season. The series was the top premiere on Starz this year.

Monica Raymund is celebrating Starz’ #TaketheLead initiative and the impact it’s had on diversity both on and off-screen.

Starz has promoted Superna Kalle to president of international networks.

Antonio Ferme editorStarz has partnered with the Alliance of Women Directors on the #TakeTheLead director’s program, which is designed to create more directing opportunities for women and people.The announcement was made by president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch during the company’s first #TakeTheLead “Transparency Talk,” which will be held on a monthly basis and bring relevant discussions about hiring female and diverse directors to the forefront.

Starz has partnered with Alliance of Women Directors to increase the representation of women directors across the network, through its #TakeTheLead initiative.

From American Gods to Power to P-Valley, it is clear that Starz is striving ahead and making huge efforts with inclusive storytelling. The premium cabler is looking to even be more inclusive as Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch of Starz announced that they are launching the #TakeTheLead initiative, a comprehensive effort deepening the company’s existing commitment to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.  

Droughtlander has been the longest yet and with the recent lockdown throwing doubt on whether filming will return as planned, fans minds are beginning to wander. One fan site has taken the time to contemplate what could happen when the hit show finishes.Fansided have pondered over five spin-off shows that showrunners Ronald D.

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Variety and the European Film Market are teaming up to host a half-day TV summit as part of this year’s Berlinale Series Market & Conference. Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett and Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch will deliver the keynotes.

As “Outlander” pauses before submitting its characters to a new wave of 18th century horrors, the creators are also looking to the future. Starz just announced three “Power” spinoffs — would exec producer Ronald D. Moore ever consider the same for “Outlander?”

It'll arrive after 'John Wick 4's 2021 air date.

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Starz is bouncing around ideas for “Power” prequels and sequels, said president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch at the Television Critics Assn. winter press tour on Tuesday, also discussing the “John Wick” spinoff series “The Continental” and a “Weeds” reboot.

The president and CEO of Starz stands by the decision to cut actor Orlando Jones from American Gods Season 3, telling journalists that the show still boasts "one of the most diverse casts on television."

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