Starz gave their summer Television Critics Association presentation today, and they had quite a bit of news to share about upcoming time travel series Outlander, including the fact that it will be doing a bit of time traveling itself: an early release of the premiere (yay!) and a delay on the second half of the season (argh).

There’s more good than bad, though, so read up on all the news, then watch a great featurette with author Diana Gabaldon and showrunner Ronald D. Moore:

“OUTLANDER” FANS REJOICE – THE LONG WAIT IS ALMOST OVER!

STARZ OFFERS FREE SAMPLING OF SERIES PREMIERE EPISODE OF “OUTLANDER” ON TV AND ONLINE BEGINNING AUGUST 2

First Episode of New STARZ Original Series Available Prior to Worldwide Series Premiere on August 9 on Select U.S. Cable, Satellite and Telco Affiliates

In Addition to Facebook, Starz.com, STARZ PLAY and More

“Outlander” Split Season Airs First Eight Episodes through September 27 with
Second Eight-Episode Half-Season Returning in Early 2015

OutlanderCommunity.com Microsite Gives “Outlander” Fans Social Media Destination to Share Excitement for Series

Beverly Hills, Calif., July 11, 2014 – Millions of “Outlander” fans…your time has nearly come. Starz announced today details of an early opportunity to enjoy the first full episode of the new STARZ Original Series, “Outlander,” beginning August 2. One of the most widely-anticipated STARZ Original series, “Outlander” is adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica”). Free sampling of the series premiere episode will be available with multiple television and online platforms nationwide leading up to the worldwide series premiere on August 9.

The “Outlander” sneak peek gives millions of fans the chance to watch Episode 101: Sassenach* one week in advance of its premiere on Saturday, August 9 at 9:00 pm ET/PT exclusively on STARZ. The first eight episodes of the 16-episode first season will air over eight consecutive Saturdays through September 27 with the second half scheduled to continue in early 2015.

Approximately 82 million multichannel video households will have access to the premiere episode via additional linear, on-demand and/or online sampling opportunities on select cable, satellite and telco affiliates in the United States as well as online through select websites including Starz.com/Outlander, the Starz “Outlander” Twitter page, the Starz YouTube page, Starz “Outlander” Facebook Page and the free STARZ PLAY app for all users in the United States.

“We’ve heard from fans the world over who are anxiously awaiting to see how we’ve brought Claire and Jamie to life in what may possibly be the most highly anticipated series in Starz history,” commented Starz CEO Chris Albrecht prior to the company’s presentation at the Summer Television Critics Association (TCA) Press Tour. “Our ‘Outlander‘ sampling strategy serves the dual purpose of giving early access to the series premiere for those fans thirsting to watch it as soon as possible, as well as providing a vehicle that introduces the STARZ experience to prospective new subscribers who are eager to learn all about this great new series.”

Fans Interact at the “OutlanderCommunity.com” Microsite
Due to the popularity of the book series and the passionate fan base, Starz recently launched the OutlanderCommunity.com microsite giving fans a social destination which aggregates the latest “Outlander” content across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, fan blogs and more. The platform promotes exclusive show content and deepens the consumer’s connection with the show and fan community. OutlanderCommunity.com enhances and complements the show, giving fans the power to unite as a community and share Outlander with their friends.

The first 24 hours exploded with 138K+ page views with users spending an average 4:05 on the site.

OutlanderCommunity.com features new and ongoing activities for users to share via social media including the “I Love #Outlander Because…” activity and an Apothecary Cabinet that allows users to explore the plants and herbs used during the 1700s when modern medicine wasn’t available. Users will find 14 different plants that were used to treat everything from warts and corns to heart attacks and infection.

Starz also gives fans a chance to learn how to “Speak Outlander” with the Gaelic Expert feature on the Starz YouTube page featuring cast members from the set in Scotland. Twelve words and/or phrases are featured in these lessons, including “Sassenach,” “Sàinte Mhath!” “Je Suis Prest” and “Craigh na Dun.”

About “Outlander”
The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one epic tale. The series, adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”), follows the story of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married combat nurse from 1945, who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. Upon her arrival, she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. But when she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited. Now, Claire’s heart is torn between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

“Outlander” is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

* Sassenach – Outlander or foreigner; more specifically an English person.

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of March 31, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.3 million subscribers, including 21.9 million at STARZ, and 34.4 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air over 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

Featurette: Outlander – Book to Series

Outlander, starring Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Lotte Verbeek, Gary Lewis, Duncan Lacroix, Annette Badland and Stephen Walters premieres Saturday, August 9 at 9/8c on Starz. Free sampling of the series premiere episode will be available with multiple television and online platforms nationwide beginning on August 2, leading up to the worldwide series premiere on August 9.