Commercial Television Networks & SVOD · Publisher & Media Owner
STARZ
Premium subscription streaming platform for original series and films.
Available information varies by company and source.
Profile record updated:
Company facts
- Entity type
- COMPANY
- Market cluster / sector
- Commercial Television Networks & SVOD
- Market role
- Publisher & Media Owner
- Official website
- starz.com
What STARZ does
STARZ runs a subscription-led media business that combines content ownership, content licensing, and digital distribution. It creates and acquires premium film and television programming, packages that content into a branded OTT service, and sells access directly to end users as well as through third-party distribution partners. Value is created through subscriber acquisition, retention driven by original franchises and library depth, and broad availability across connected devices and partner channels.
Category differentiation
STARZ is a subscription video streaming platform and media owner, not a general-purpose adtech platform or social media service. It sells access to premium film and television content rather than marketing software.
Strategic context
AI-supported assessment from the existing company research; distinguish interpretation from sourced facts.
STARZ is a premium subscription video streaming business and content owner operating a direct-to-consumer OTT service centred on original series and licensed films. Its service is distributed both directly through its own platform and through third-party bundles and marketplaces. The company monetises primarily through recurring subscription fees, promotional introductory offers, and partner distribution arrangements. It does not run an ad-supported tier in its core US service, which reinforces a premium ad-free positioning. From an investor and operating perspective, STARZ has completed its separation from Lionsgate and now operates as a standalone public company. Its strategic focus is on a digital-first model, with roughly 70% of revenue coming from OTT, targeted audience positioning around women and underrepresented viewers, and franchise-driven engagement through series such as Power and Outlander. Its direct paying customers are consumers, while commercial counterparties also include distribution partners such as cable operators, streaming bundles, and digital marketplaces.
Company news briefing
Briefing updated:
STARZ has expanded its distribution footprint through multi-service bundles on Amazon Prime Video Channels and Roku, alongside a carriage dispute resulting in Verizon Fios dropping its channels. Meanwhile, the network secured long-term leadership by renewing President Alison Hoffman's contract through 2029, bolstered liquidity via a $100m credit facility amendment, and scheduled its original crime drama franchise Power for a November 2026 Netflix launch.
Business model & monetisation
STARZ monetises through recurring subscription fees for its SVOD service, supplemented by discounted introductory offers used for acquisition. It also generates revenue through third-party distribution and bundling arrangements where the service is sold via cable operators, streaming platforms, and digital marketplaces. Additional value comes from licensing and exploitation of owned original programming franchises. The current model is premium subscription-led rather than ad-supported.
- Direct OTT subscriptions
- Content Subscription
- Third-party bundled subscriptions
- Content Subscription
- Content licensing and distribution partnerships
- Service Fee
- Promotional introductory offers
- Content Subscription
Products & capabilities
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Competitors & alternatives
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Recent recorded signals
Dates refer to the source publication. Older entries are historical context, not evidence of a new event.
Starz Q3 Revenue Up, Loss Narrows as Streaming Offsets Linear
Financials · Recorded impact score: 4/5
Starz reported Q3 financial results with revenue of $322.4 million, up 0.5% year-over-year, as streaming revenue grew 1.7% to $226.6 million, offsetting declines in traditional TV distribution. The net loss narrowed to $34.8 million from $52.6 million, beating Wall Street expectations. Streaming gains were partly due to strong performance of Lionsgate's film 'Michael,' the most successful Pay-1 release in Starz history. Additionally, regulatory filings revealed that media mogul Byron Allen sold his entire 10.7% stake in Starz, netting a profit of around $20 million after the company adopted a poison pill defense. CEO Jeffrey Hirsch emphasized a focus on content ownership and distribution partnerships while remaining selective on M&A.
- Starz Q3 revenue: $322.4M, up 0.5% YoY
- Net loss narrowed to $34.8M from $52.6M
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for STARZ (2026-10-29)
financials · Recorded impact score: 3/5
On October 29, 2026, Starz Entertainment Corp. furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 2.02 to announce its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. The financial results were distributed via a press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1, which was incorporated by reference. The filing serves as the formal regulatory notification of the company's quarterly performance disclosure, signed by Chief Financial Officer Scott Macdonald.
- Starz Entertainment Corp. furnished Item 2.02 announcing financial results for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026.
- The press release detailing operating results was furnished as Exhibit 99.1 on October 29, 2026.
Legendary Revives Lionsgate Acquisition Talks
M&A · Recorded impact score: 3/5
Lionsgate Studios shares surged over 15% on reports that Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks and submitted a formal takeover offer, lifting the stock above $12 and market cap near $3.6 billion. Legendary, backed by Apollo Global Management, previously explored a bid after Lionsgate's separation from Starz. A deal would give Legendary theatrical distribution and access to Lionsgate's library of 20,000+ titles. No financial terms disclosed; both companies declined to comment. Lionsgate, led by Jon Feltheimer, has long been seen as an acquisition target amid industry consolidation.
- Lionsgate Studios shares rose more than 15% after Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks with a formal takeover offer.
- Lionsgate's market capitalization reached nearly $3.6 billion following the stock surge.
STARZ and Verizon reach distribution agreement
Distribution Agreement · Recorded impact score: 1/5
STARZ has announced a new distribution agreement with Verizon, restoring all STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand, and the STARZ app on Verizon Fios. The agreement gives subscribers access to STARZ's programming lineup, including the full "Power" Universe, "Power: Origins," "Fightland," "Outlander," "Outlander: Blood of my Blood," "P-Valley," "S.W.A.T. Exiles," and "Tip Toe." STARZ also highlighted its upcoming movie slate. The deal follows a previous loss of access for Verizon Fios customers, indicating a resolution of negotiations. Alison Hoffman, President of STARZ Networks, expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial agreement, emphasizing STARZ's commitment to delivering bold storytelling for women and underrepresented audiences.
- STARZ and Verizon have reached a new distribution agreement.
- The agreement restores all STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand, and the STARZ app on Verizon Fios.
JioHotstar Expands to MENA via Starzplay Partnership
Video Streaming · Recorded impact score: 2/5
Reliance-backed streaming platform JioHotstar is expanding into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through a partnership with Starzplay, one of the region's largest streaming services. Announced on October 6, 2026, JioHotstar will have a dedicated section within Starzplay's app and website, offering Indian films, TV shows, originals, and reality franchises in multiple languages. This follows JioHotstar's debut in the U.K., Canada, and Singapore in September 2026. The MENA expansion targets the region's large South Asian diaspora. JioHotstar's sports content from India will not be available, but a bundle including Starzplay's sports offering, including cricket, is priced at AED 49.99/month. New JioHotstar originals will premiere simultaneously with India, with audio in up to 10 languages. Starzplay has over 2.3 million subscribers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
- JioHotstar partners with Starzplay to expand into MENA region.
- JioHotstar will have a dedicated section within Starzplay's app and website.
Careers & open positions
Open positions indexed from verified career portals and applicant tracking systems.
| Position | Department | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| VP Campaign Management & Marketing Infrastructure(VP) | Creative & Campaign Management | Santa Monica, CA | |
| Sr. Product Manager, Operations & Automation(Senior) | Product Management | Santa Monica, CA |
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Questions about STARZ
What is STARZ?
STARZ is a premium subscription video streaming service and content owner offering original series and licensed films through an OTT platform.
Who uses STARZ?
STARZ is used by consumers who pay for ad-free, on-demand access to television series and films, as well as by distribution partners that bundle the service.
How does STARZ make money?
STARZ makes money mainly from recurring subscription fees, introductory offers that convert into paid plans, and partner distribution and licensing arrangements.
Sources & coverage
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