There was no shortage of proverbial finger pointing after the final three episodes of the popular Starz drama Powerwere leaked online. After the episodes were reportedly posted to one of the leaker’s personal social media accounts, a press release from Starz threatened to “take legal action against the responsible parties.”
Power co-executive producer and actor 50 Cent took things a step further and said the network accused him of purposely leaking the episodes in an Instagram post.
“STARZ thinks I leaked my own show,” 50 wrote. “Anyway if you have on demand catch POWER tonight 12:00AM. If not Sunday 9:00PM it is LOL #50Centralbet.”
The #50Centralbet hashtag is especially telling, given the recent digs 50 Cent has taken at the only network Power has called home over its four-season run. The title likely refers to the fact that BET has ordered 24 episodes of Fif’s sketch comedy/variety show 50 Central. On July 31, 50 insinuated Power wasn’t getting the proper platform on Starz and hinted at leaving in a similar Instagram post.
“I woke up feeling a little different about POWER this morning,” 50 wrote in his IG caption. “If the biggest show on your net work doesn’t mean anything, what does your network mean STARZ? I’m taking my talents to south beach fuck this.”
In December of 2016, 50 Cent said he was done promoting the show outside of his contractual obligations after what he perceived to be a Golden Globes snub.
“I’m on the move again, Golden globe's can suck a dick,” Fif wrote in a lengthy caption for his December post. “I accept my series POWER was not intended to be a signature show for the network but it is the highest rated show. I know my audience very well, I’m done promoting this out side of contractual obligations. SEASON 4 KANAN MUST DIE, I got other shit to do.”
Both of the above posts came after 50 blasted his showrunner, co-executive producer and co-creator Courtney Kemp for airing a nude scene he reportedly authorized.
Despite the leaks and multiple incidents of 50 Cent voicing his displeasure, Power has enjoyed high ratings. Deadline reports the fourth season premiere drew in 1.68 million viewers and a 3.2 rating among adults 18-49 while pitted against the BET Awards for viewers in the same demographic.
