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Starz Picks Up S.W.A.T. Exiles and Sets Sept. 25 Premiere

Sony financed and completed a 10-episode season on spec, then sold U.S. first-window rights to Starz as part of a windowing plan that keeps the studio in talks for a later streamer deal.

Overview

  • The Starz acquisition was announced Monday, June 29, and gives the network U.S. first-window rights with a Sept. 25, 2026 premiere and new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays.
  • Sony Pictures Television produced the 10-episode first season independently and finished filming in February 2026 before shopping the completed show to buyers.
  • The studio has closed distribution across every major region, with select territories set to launch day-and-date on partners including Sky, Disney+ Latin America, Bell Media and other regional platforms.
  • Shemar Moore returns as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson with a new ensemble cast, and original series actors Jay Harrington, Patrick St. Esprit and David Lim are confirmed to appear after earlier cast pushback about the spinoff rollout.
  • Sony’s windowing approach, which places Starz first and leaves open second-window talks with Netflix, shifts the franchise from broadcast network exposure to a premium pay/streaming window and could shape downstream licensing and fan access.