Publisher & Media Owner · vs · Publisher & Media Owner
Paramount+ vs STARZ
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
Paramount+ · vs · STARZHybrid streaming platform with subscription and advertising revenue.
Premium subscription streaming platform for original series and films.
Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between Paramount+ and STARZ?
When comparing Paramount+ and STARZ, both platforms operate within the Video Streaming Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Publisher & Media Owner ecosystem. Paramount+ is positioned as Hybrid streaming platform with subscription and advertising revenue, whereas STARZ focuses on Premium subscription streaming platform for original series and films. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to Paramount+ and STARZ?
When evaluating Paramount+ and STARZ, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Video Streaming Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Publisher & Media Owner. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: Paramount+ vs STARZ
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
Paramount+
Recent Signals
- ·Cord Cutters NewsCTV
Pluto TV Removes Kids Mode Feature
Pluto TV has removed the Kids Mode feature from its free streaming service following a recent app update. The mode previously allowed parents to restrict the platform to age-appropriate content for children, using a PIN-protected profile. The removal comes as part of a redesigned app that shares technical infrastructure with Paramount+, featuring a recommendation-heavy interface and no dedicated kids-only profile. While Pluto TV still offers family and children's content, it is no longer separated into a restricted mode. Parents must now rely on device-level controls or supervision. The company has not yet commented on the removal or possible future reinstatement.
- Pluto TV has removed the Kids Mode feature from its free streaming service.
- The removal occurred with a redesigned app that shares technical infrastructure with Paramount+.
- The Kids Mode feature is still listed in Pluto TV's help section but is no longer available in the app.
- ·Cord Cutters NewsVideo Streaming Platform
Paramount+ Plans New Star Trek Development, TV Slate Pauses
Paramount+ says Star Trek remains a strategic priority even as its current live-action slate winds down under the newly merged Paramount-Skydance structure. Strange New Worlds will end after a shortened fifth season, Starfleet Academy has been canceled (with a completed second season slated for release next year before concluding), and preschool animated Star Trek Scouts will continue. Paramount+ executives say they are working with writers and drawing on CBS Studios to develop the next major television iteration, while a theatrical reboot directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein is in development with a new cast and time period.
- Paramount+ confirmed Star Trek remains a core part of its long-term strategy.
- Strange New Worlds is airing season 4 and will conclude with a shorter fifth season.
- Starfleet Academy was canceled after its debut season; a completed second season is scheduled for release next year before the show ends.
- ·Cord Cutters NewsVideo Streaming / CTV Programming
Paramount+ September 2026 Programming Lineup
Paramount+ published its September 2026 programming and sports schedule, including new originals, returning series, live events and a heavy sports calendar. Key highlights: The Varnell Hill Show (Paramount+ Original) premieres September 1 starring Tommy Davidson; South Park and other series return in mid-September; MobLand Season 2 arrives September 18. The schedule also lists major live sports and events streaming on Paramount+ and CBS, including NFL on CBS doubleheaders, college football matchups, UEFA competitions, UFC events, PBR Team Series, the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (Sept 27) and other league competitions. The announcement notes that some titles and live CBS streams require Paramount+ Premium and that CBS live feeds are available on-demand to all subscribers the day after airing.
- Paramount+ premieres The Varnell Hill Show (Season 1) on September 1, 2026.
- South Park (Season 29) is listed as a mid-September premiere on Paramount+ (next-day availability noted).
- MobLand Season 2 arrives on Paramount+ on September 18, 2026.
STARZ
Recent Signals
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for STARZ (2026-09-15)
Starz Entertainment Corp. announced that its operating subsidiary, Starz Entertainment, LLC, entered into a new multi-year employment agreement with Alison Hoffman to continue serving as President of Starz Networks. Effective retroactively from August 6, 2026, through December 31, 2029, the agreement supersedes her 2023 contract and secures Hoffman's leadership over core programming, distribution, and network operations. Under the terms of the contract, Hoffman will receive an annual base salary of $1,485,000 with a target annual performance bonus equal to 150% of base salary ($2.23 million). Additionally, the agreement provides for annual equity grants targeted at 100% of base salary beginning in April 2027, alongside customary change-in-control protections and severance clauses.
- Alison Hoffman signed a new employment agreement as President of Starz Networks through December 31, 2029, with an effective start date of August 6, 2026.
- Compensation includes an annual base salary of $1,485,000, an annual target bonus of 150% of base salary, and annual equity award opportunities valued at 100% of base salary starting in 2027.
- Severance terms guarantee the greater of remaining contract salary or 18 months of base pay, with an additional 70% lump-sum bonus acceleration in qualifying change-in-control scenarios.
- ·Cord Cutters NewsCTV & OTT
Starz Drama Power Moves to Netflix in November 2026
Netflix will stream all six seasons of the Starz crime drama Power beginning in November 2026, marking the first time the original series will be available on Netflix. Created by Courtney A. Kemp and executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Power premiered on Starz in 2014 and spawned multiple spinoffs (Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force). Starz will continue to stream all series in the U.S., while 50 Cent indicated the four Power series will launch on Netflix internationally (excluding Canada) in November. The move expands Netflix’s catalog of crime dramas and brings a high-profile premium-cable franchise to a broader, global streaming audience.
- Netflix announced all six seasons of Power will stream on Netflix in November 2026.
- Power originally premiered on Starz in 2014 and became Starz’s flagship drama.
- Power was created by Courtney A. Kemp and executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
- ·Cord Cutters NewsConnected TV (CTV) & OTT
STARZ and Crunchyroll Launch Prime Video Bundle
STARZ and Crunchyroll launched a joint subscription bundle available through Prime Video on July 29, 2026. The bundle is priced at $16.99 per month, which the publisher states is over 23% cheaper than subscribing to both services separately. STARZ highlighted access to its premium programming including the Power franchise and several upcoming originals with release dates in July–September 2026. Crunchyroll’s portion includes major anime series such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and upcoming August additions. Executives quoted in the announcement include Alison Hoffman (President of STARZ Networks), Terry Li (Chief Product Officer and EVP, Emerging Business, Crunchyroll), and Matt Huntley (Director of U.S. Channels, Prime Video). The bundle is available to sign up for via Prime Video starting the publication date.
- STARZ and Crunchyroll launched a joint bundle available through Prime Video.
- The bundle costs $16.99 per month, described as over 23% savings versus subscribing to both services separately.
- Publication / availability date: July 29, 2026 (article metadata).
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
Explore all deep relationships in Polaris7. Discover exactly which mutual clients, integrated technologies, and overlapping partners Paramount+ and STARZ share across the market ecosystem.