Fri Jan 16 05:00:00 UTC 2026: ### Starz Acquires Sky’s “Amadeus” Series for U.S. Distribution

The Story:
Starz has secured the U.S. rights to “Amadeus,” a five-part limited series produced by Sky, exploring the intense rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. The series, adapted from Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play by Joe Barton, stars Will Sharpe as Mozart, Paul Bettany as Salieri, and Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Weber, Mozart’s wife. The show premiered on Sky in the U.K. on December 21st, and its U.S. debut on Starz is expected sometime this year, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution brokering the deal.

Key Points:
* Starz acquired the U.S. rights to “Amadeus,” a five-part Sky series.
* The series stars Will Sharpe as Mozart, Paul Bettany as Salieri, and Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze.
* Joe Barton adapted Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play for the screen.
* The acquisition was brokered by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
* Starz anticipates the series will be a strong addition to its period drama lineup.

Critical Analysis:
The acquisition of “Amadeus” by Starz aligns with the network’s established strategy of focusing on premium period dramas. Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, explicitly states this, reinforcing that Starz sees period dramas as a key driver of viewership. The acquisition also illustrates the increasing cross-Atlantic content sharing between streaming platforms and traditional networks, in this case, between Sky and Starz. The success of period dramas on streaming platforms contributes to the continuing investment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Starz is actively reinforcing its brand identity as a destination for high-quality period dramas.
  • Cross-platform content sharing is becoming increasingly common in the entertainment industry.
  • The enduring appeal of the Mozart-Salieri rivalry continues to draw interest from audiences.
  • Limited series based on established literary works, such as plays, remain a viable and popular format.

Impact Analysis:
The acquisition of “Amadeus” by Starz could lead to increased viewership for the network, solidifying its position in the competitive streaming landscape. The presence of established actors like Paul Bettany and the well-known narrative are likely to attract a broad audience. Furthermore, the success of “Amadeus” on Starz could encourage further investment in similar high-quality period dramas, enriching the content available to subscribers.

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