AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

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Starz, the cable TV network owned by Liberty Media (NSDQ: LINTA), has quietly reorg-ed its management operations, reports THR. Starz Entertainment, which oversees the brand’s linear and VOD channels, and Starz Media, the umbrella group for such third-party programming providers as Anchor Bay Entertainment and Film Roman, will be consolidated under Bill Myers, president and COO of Starz Entertainment…also consolidating under him is Starz’s digital content operations.

The changes were made a month ago, but not announced to avoid confusion as parent LIberty Media splits into two tracking stocks: Starz Media is part of the Liberty Capital tracking stock, while Starz Entertainment remains under Liberty Entertainment.

Staci adds: Starz spokesman Tom Southwick explains that the changes were made to organize around product lines and are “really aimed at the creative community” and to avoid internal competition and confusion over projects. In simple terms, Steve Shelanski handles acquisitions, while Bill Hamm has original programming. At the same time, the center of production and development moves to Burbank from Denver.

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