Will “Black Sails” Help Starz (STRZA) Navigate TV’s Choppy Waters?

First, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) decided it wanted to HBO. Now, Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) wants a piece of the action with an original program called Black Sails, due to air next January.

Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) pulled out the stops at San Diego Comic-Con with a large booth populated by a replica pirate ship meant to give visitors a feel for the show. Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) treated fans to a screening Thursday night during the con with music performed by show composer Bear McCreary, whose other credits include the reimagined Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead.

The show, set 20 years before Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic book Treasure Island, focuses on pirates who face enemies all about as they fight to preserve a criminal haven known as New Providence Island. Executives no doubt hope the series and its dark undercurrent proves appealing to the tens of millions who have taken to Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

There’s merit to the plan. Offbeat and edgy original programming has proved to be an attractive alternative to network TV fare in recent years. Black Sails fits the mold.

Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) also needs the help. Revenue growth has gone missing as debt has ballooned since 2011. Meanwhile, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s sweeping deal with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) means the network won’t have access to Marvel, Star Wars, and other popular properties come 2016. Executives have until then to develop a cost-effective portfolio of originals and licensed programs capable of igniting growth.

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that original programming will pay off. Look at Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). For as good a draw as House of Cards was, the new Arrested Development failed to draw even a million new members. Netflix shares sold off as a result, and that’s in spite of a significant earnings beat.

So while I’d love to believe Black Sails will take TV’s treasure island, as an investor, I’d rather add Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) to my watchlist. Here’s how you can do the same.

The article Will “Black Sails” Help Starz Navigate TV’s Choppy Waters? originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Tim Beyers.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Netflix and Walt Disney at the time of publication. He was also long Jan. 2014 Netflix $50 call options. Check out Tim’s Web home and portfolio holdings, or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Netflix and Walt Disney.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.