Why Starz Doesn’t Want Its Own ‘Making a Murderer’

TCA 2016: “There are things that I think Starz can do well, and I think that’s the knitting that we’re sticking to,” CEO Chris Albrecht says

chris albrecht tca 2016
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Starz chief Chris Albrecht has heard all about the success of Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” but he’s not looking to emulate it.

“There are things that I think Starz can do well, and I think that’s the knitting that we’re sticking to,” the Starz CEO said Friday in a Television Critics Association panel. Albrecht was asked about “Making a Murderer” and whether his premium cable network was looking to develop anything like it.

He indicated that the network is more interested in ongoing shows than in one-off documentary miniseries, like “Murderer.”

“I think these big series franchises right now for us and targeting these audiences with what can be returning series … are good strategy for us in broadening the Starz brand and building a real commitment from the subscribers and bringing a real investment from them in the brand,” he said.

But Albrecht said he has spoken with Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos about Murderer.

“I ran into Ted Sarandos over Christmas and he was telling me about … ‘Making a Murderer,’ and how many people texted him about that — which is great on vacation.”

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