Urban SVOD service taps Starz titles

SVOD service Urban Movie Channel has bought more than 40 hours of programming from Starz Digital, the on-demand sales division of US cable channel Starz.

The shows, which include comedies Martin Lawrence Presents: First Amendment and Dave Chappelle’s Phunny Business plus socumentaries and scripted series, will launch over the summer.

UMC is an African-American and urban-focused platform operated by Acorn Productions parent RLJ Entertainment.

RLJ’s chairman, Robert L. Johnson, is the creator of Viacom’s African-American-focused cable channel BET.

“This package is comprised of titles ranging from comedy and drama to action/thriller and documentary,” said Angela Northington, RLJ’s senior VP, urban content acquisitions. “It is in line with what our chairman, Bob Johnson, has envisioned for growing the UMC digital channel,” she concluded.”