Starz is hot on "Spartacus," and showed that by renewing it for a third season even before the second season with new star Liam McIntyre had a chance to premiere.

But is this a sound strategy for cable channels to make such decisions before finding out how their shows do? "Boss" might be helping that question along.

The new Kelsey Grammer show about a Chicago mayor dying from a debilitating disease was renewed for a second season before its pilot even aired. Since then, however, "Boss" has lost a number of viewers, and counts its audience in the tens of thousands instead of millions.

That has some observers wondering if Starz might be jumping the gun too quickly on its original series, giving green lights to spend more money when viewers aren't necessarily checking in. But then again, premium cable models can't be compared to network models, or even basic cable models.

While television shows on cable and networks depend on viewers, it's because those viewers fuel the advertising that's attached. Ratings, for example, are more about the number of people watching commercials rather than the number of people actually watching the program they are attached to. It's a primary reason why DVR numbers and other alternative media aren't treated the same as live broadcast.

Yet, there is no advertising attached to programming on premium cable channels like Starz. That means while the number of viewers tuning in is important, the primary push is how much buzz can a show create to attract more paying subscribers. Even with low viewership, if the idea of shows like "Boss" convince people to add Starz to their paid cable package, the show is a winner for the cable channel.

Starz is likely banking on the fact that "Boss" could get the attention of the Emmys after this season. Grammer, best known for his comedy roles in shows like "Cheers" and "Frasier," is taking on what many critics are calling his most amazing and revealing role ever. The buzz from that alone is driving interest in Starz, if not necessarily translating into viewers for the series.

Such attention, especially if there is Emmy attention, could drive DVD sales, and push cable subscribers to pick up Starz just to watch what's next for the show. So it's a gamble that might not make sense now, but it's an obvious long-game approach for Starz.

The same can be said about "Spartacus," giving it a renewal before a single viewers sees the second season premiere.

"There is no denying the impact 'Spartacus' has had in the marketplace with fans across the globe thirsting for the continuation of the epic tale," said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director of Starz Media. "We are thrilled to come to an early agreement that allows the writers and talent to get right back to work in preparing for Season 3."

This will allow production to begin as early as this winter to prep for a fall 2012 return. It also continues to build on buzz the series has received since it premiered, despite the setback of losing its popular star, Andy Whitfield, to cancer earlier this year.

Because investment return isn't counted as total viewers for cable channels, seeing those numbers mean very little. It's how those shows are impacting the number of paid subscribers that cable channels like Starz is looking at. And if "Spartacus" and "Boss" can get people to put Starz on their home television, then those shows will stick around whether they decide to watch them or not.

"Spartacus" premieres in January.