ENCORE Enters into Premium Pay TV Original Programming - Unveils "Moby Dick" & "The Take" Mini-Series, "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis" Documentary

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ENCORE, the nation's most popular premium network with more than 33 million subscribers, will complete its recently announced enhancements to the ENCORE family of services by introducing the first-ever Encore Originals programming.

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"Moby Dick," the on-screen adaption of Herman Melville's novel features cast members including Academy Award® Winner William Hurt, Academy Award® Nominee Ethan Hawke, and Gillian Anderson. The "Moby Dick" mini-series premieres exclusively on ENCORE on August 1 at 8pm ET/PT.

Debuting this fall exclusively on ENCORE are two other Encore Originals: "The Take," a mini-series starring Tom Hardy and based on Martina Cole's best-selling crime thriller, and the previously announced ENCORE Original documentary, "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis."

"Encore Originals will complement the quality movie programming found on ENCORE, and build upon the consistently strong viewership with the introduction of quality original programming," said Stephan Shelanski, EVP of programming for Starz Entertainment.  "ENCORE is a tremendous premium television value for subscribers and our affiliates, and its unique original programming will further fortify the network.  We are committed to continue Encore Originals in future years with a diverse array of programming additions that will complement the premium programming mix."

"Moby Dick," is an epic reimagining of the literary adventure classic.  The three hour mini-series will air over two evenings beginning on Monday, August 1 and concludes on Tuesday, August 2 at 8pm ET/PT.  "Moby Dick" stars Academy Award® winner William Hurt (The Accidental Tourist, Broadcast News) as the infamous Captain Ahab and Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Gattaca) as his first mate Starbuck. They are joined by Gillian Anderson ("The X Files") as Ahab's wife Elizabeth, Donald Sutherland ("MASH", Ordinary People) as Father Mapple, and Raoul Trujillo (Apocalypto) as the fear-inspiring harpooner Queequeg. "Moby Dick" is an RHI production in participation with TELE MUNCHEN and in cooperation with GATE FILMPRODUKTION.

"The Take," is an exciting and uncompromising four-part adaptation of the best-selling crime thriller by Martina Cole. "The Take" stars Tom Hardy, Brian Cox, Kierston Wareing, Charlotte Riley, and Shaun Evans. The Take" is an ITV Studios Global Entertainment production.

"Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis" is a feature-length original documentary which showcases one of the greatest American comedic geniuses ever, Jerry Lewis.  Having celebrated his 85th birthday earlier this year, Lewis has built an eclectic multi-faceted career as a comedian, actor, producer, writer, director, singer, professor, and humanitarian. "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis" is from Mansfield Avenue Productions.

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® brands with approximately 18.8 million and 33.1 million subscribers respectively.  Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands.  Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation and is attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group (NASDAQ: LSTZA).

SOURCE Starz Entertainment, LLC