Premium cable network Starz has been on a roll lately with its TV series. Just ahead of the release of season 3 of the Starz original series "Black Sails," the cable network announced that a season 4 has already been green lit for the show, according to Deadline.

To get the green light for a season nearly half a year before the previous season' debut, speaks volumes to fans about the strength of the upcoming season. Starz executives have already seen what they like, and the network is so confident the viewers will respond the same way that it has renewed the next season.

This is not uncommon for the show, which had the same scenario play out for its seasons 2 and 3.

The first two seasons of the series averaged 4.5 million viewers per episode. This is a combined average for multiple platforms, which include streaming and watching live.

Starz has coupled that success with its breakout hit show "Outlander," which has received mountains of critical praise. The audience for the show has also inspired an ever-expanding fandom that continues to grow even in the offseason.

"Black Sails" is the first series on Starz that has gone past 3 seasons, and if last season was any indicator, it could soon be joined by "Outlander."

The show is about the most fearsome pirate of the 1700s named Captain Flint (Toby Stephens). Season 3 will see the famed pirate Blackbeard come aboard the series, played by Ray Stevenson ("Rome").

The series is set 20 years before the events of the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Treasure Island."

The show has already been on the award circuit, taking home two Emmys for Best Special and Visual Effects, as well as Best Sound Editing.

Season 4 will also be a 10-episode season, much like the others with the exception of season 1, which was 8 episodes.