Netflix has reached a licensing agreement with Lionsgate Television that will bring the original “Power” series to U.S. subscribers and expand international access to several titles in the franchise, marking the latest move to broaden the streaming service’s catalog with established television properties.
Under the agreement announced Monday, Netflix will stream all six seasons of the original “Power” in the United States beginning in November, following the end of the series’ licensing run on Hulu. Internationally, Netflix has acquired non-exclusive rights in most territories to the first four series in the franchise: “Power,” “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” and “Power Book IV: Force.” Canada is excluded from the international agreement because of existing distribution arrangements.
The deal covers only previously released series. Upcoming entries in the franchise, including “Power: Origins” and “Power: Legacy,” are not part of the agreement. Starz will remain the U.S. streaming home for the spinoff series.
Created by Courtney A. Kemp in collaboration with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, “Power” premiered on Starz in 2014 and became one of the premium cable network’s signature dramas. The crime series follows James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a New York nightclub owner whose efforts to build a legitimate business are complicated by his role in the drug trade. Its success led to multiple spinoffs, creating one of television’s largest crime-drama franchises.
The licensing agreement reflects Lionsgate Television’s strategy of expanding distribution for its programming following the corporate separation of Lionsgate and Starz. By placing the original “Power” series on Netflix, the studio will expose the series to a broader global audience while retaining Starz as the exclusive U.S. streaming destination for the spinoff titles.
For Netflix, the addition strengthens its relationship with Kemp, who has been developing projects for the streamer under an overall creative partnership.
