View source for Starz

{{short description|American pay television network}}
{{About|the American pay television channel|its namesake parent company|Starz Inc.|other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = STARZ
| logo = Starz 2022.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = Current logo used since September 29, 2022
| type = {{Plainlist|
* [[Pay television|Pay television network]]
* [[Over-the-top media service|OTT platform]]
}}
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1994|2|1}}
| picture_format = {{Plainlist|
* [[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
* [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])
}}
| owner = [[Starz Entertainment]]
| parent = [[Starz Inc.]]
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
* Jeffrey Hirsch (President/[[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])
* Audrey Lee ([[Vice President|EVP]]/[[General Counsel]])
* [[Kathryn Busby]] (President, Original Programming)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/kathryn-busby-starz-president-of-original-programming-exit-tristar-television-1234866199/|title=TriStar TV's Kathryn Busby Joins Starz As President Of Original Programming|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref>
}}
| country = United States
| language = {{Plainlist|
* [[English language|English]]
* [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (as [[Second audio program|SAP]] option)
}}
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[Santa Monica, California]]
| former_names = Starz! (1994–2005)
| sister_channels = {{Plainlist|
* [[Starz Encore]]
* [[MoviePlex]]
}}
| timeshift_service = {{collapsible list|title=Starz timeshift channels|
* Starz ([[Eastern Time Zone|East]] / [[Pacific Time Zone|West]])
* Starz Cinema (East / West)
* Starz Comedy (East / West)
* Starz Edge (East / West)
* Starz Kids & Family (East / West)
* Starz In Black (East / West)
}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.starz.com/}}
| online_serv_1 = Starz (streaming service)
| online_chan_1 = (U.S. cable internet subscribers only; requires subscription, trial or television provider login to access content)
{{collapsible list|title=Available feeds|
* Starz (East)
* Starz (West)
}}
| online_serv_2 = [[Apple TV (software)#Apple TV Channels|Apple TV Channels]]
| online_chan_2 = Over-the-top TV<br>(requires subscription or trial to access content)
* Starz (East)
| online_serv_3 = [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channels]]
| online_chan_3 = Over-the-top TV<br>(requires subscription or trial to access content)
{{collapsible list|title=Available feeds|
* Starz (East)
* Starz Cinema (East)
* Starz Comedy (East)
* Starz Edge (East)
* Starz Kids & Family (East)
* Starz In Black (East)
}}
| online_serv_4 = [[Roku#The Roku Channel|The Roku Channel]]
| online_chan_4 = Over-the-top TV<br>(requires subscription or trial to access content)
* Starz (East)
| online_serv_5 = [[Claro Puerto Rico|ClaroTV+]]
| online_chan_5 = Over-the-top TV<br>(requires subscription to access content)
{{collapsible list|title=Available feeds|
* Starz (East)
* Starz In Black (East)
* Starz Kids & Family (East)
* Starz Cinema (East)
* Starz Edge (East)
* Starz Comedy (East)
* Starz Encore (East)
* Stars Encore Action (East)
* Starz Encore Black (East)
* Starz Encore Classic (East)
}}
}}

'''Starz''' (stylized in [[all caps]] as '''STARZ'''; pronounced "stars") is an American [[pay television]] network owned by [[Starz Entertainment]], and is the [[flagship (broadcasting)|flagship]] property of [[Starz Inc.]] Launched in 1994 as a [[Multiplex (television)|multiplex service]] of what is now [[Starz Encore]], [[List of Starz original programming|its programming]] consists of [[Art release#Film|theatrically released]] [[film|motion pictures]] and first-run [[Original series|original]] [[television program|television series]]. Starz operates six 24-hour, linear multiplex channels; a traditional subscription [[video on demand]] service; and a namesake [[over-the-top media services|over-the-top]] [[streaming media|streaming]] platform that both acts as a [[TV Everywhere]] offering for Starz's linear television subscribers and is sold directly to streaming-only consumers.

Starz is also sold independently of traditional and [[over-the-top content|over-the-top]] [[multichannel video programming distributor]]s [[a la carte pay television|a la carte]] through [[Apple TV (software)|Apple TV Channels]] and [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channels]], which feature VOD library content and live feeds of Starz's linear television services (consisting of the primary channel's [[East Coast of the United States|East]] and [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] feeds and, for Amazon Video customers, the East Coast feeds of its five multiplex channels).<ref>{{cite news|title=Apple unveils streaming TV services|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html|first=Todd |last=Haselton|website=[[CNBC]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television Group#NBCUniversal News Group|NBCUniversal News Group]]|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325201440/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon Prime Video Channels: Everything you need to know|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/|first=David |last=Katzmaier|website=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=May 23, 2019|access-date=June 9, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610035913/https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> Starz's programming has been licensed for use by a number of channels and platforms worldwide, and the [[brand]] name is licensed by [[Bell Media]] for a [[Starz (Canadian TV channel)|companion channel]] of the [[Canada]]-based company's [[Crave (TV network)|Crave]] premium service.

Starz and its sister networks, the aforementioned [[Starz Encore]] and [[MoviePlex]], are headquartered in [[Santa Monica, California]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Signs Lease for STARZ|url=https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/lionsgate-entertainment-signs-60-ksf-la-lease/|website=Commercial Property Executive|date=September 22, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104043900/https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/lionsgate-entertainment-signs-60-ksf-la-lease/|url-status=live}}</ref> with satellite office facilities located at the Meridian International Business Center complex in [[Englewood, Colorado]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Colorado Gov. Bill Owens Helps Starz Encore Group Dedicate New Headquarters In Meridian Office Park South of Denver|url=http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=396|agency=[[PR Newswire]]|website=Starz MediaRoom|date=July 2, 2002|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714064642/http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=396|url-status=live}}</ref> and at a small office located on 5th Avenue in New York City. {{As of|September 2018}}, Starz was available to approximately 28.517 million American households that had a subscription to a multichannel television provider (27.675 million of which receive Starz's primary channel at minimum).<ref>{{cite web|title=Nielsen coverage estimates for September see gains at ESPN networks, NBCSN, and NBA TV, drops at MLBN and NFLN (Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: September 2018)|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html|first=Andrew |last=Bucholtz|website=Awful Announcing|publisher=[[NESN|NESN Digital]]|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918124511/http://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Starz's [[video on demand]] [[streaming media]] service had 27.92 million paid subscribers as of 2024.<ref name="streaming-subs">{{cite news|last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title=Lionsgate Grows Starz Streaming Subscribers to 26.3M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lionsgate-grows-starz-streaming-subscribers-to-26-3m-1235192834/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Lionsgate Reports Results for First Quarter Fiscal 2024 |url=https://investors.lionsgate.com/~/media/Files/L/LionsGate-IR-V3/quarterly-results/2023/fiscal-2024-q1-earnings-press-release.pdf#page=10 |access-date=August 19, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Starz Logo1994.png|thumb|upright=0.9|Logo used from February 1, 1994, to March 28, 2005.]]

===Launch and early history ===
Starz (initially stylized as "STARZ!" with an exclamation point) was launched at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on February 1, 1994, primarily on cable systems operated by [[Tele-Communications Inc.]]; the first two movies aired on the network were dramas released in 1992: respectively, ''[[Scent of a Woman (1992 film)|Scent of a Woman]]''<ref name="Starz Launch">{{cite press release|title=Starz!, New Premium Channel, Launches Tonight with Unprecedented Support from Major Hollywood Studios|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!,+NEW+PREMIUM+CHANNEL,+LAUNCHES+TONIGHT+WITH+UNPRECEDENTED...-a014767050|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=February 1, 1994|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203202804/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!,+NEW+PREMIUM+CHANNEL,+LAUNCHES+TONIGHT+WITH+UNPRECEDENTED...-a014767050|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Crying Game]]''. The network was operated as a [[joint venture]] between [[Tele-Communications Inc.|TCI]] and [[Liberty Media]] (both companies were controlled by [[John C. Malone|John Malone]]), with TCI owning a 50.1% controlling interest in the channel.<ref name="Starz! Shuffle">{{cite web|title=TCI shuffling Starz!: will move it onto Liberty Media to shield MSO from channel's ongoing losses|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19415265.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611030346/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19415265.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|author-link=John M. Higgins|first=John M. |last=Higgins|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=May 19, 1997|access-date=March 11, 2013}}</ref>

Starz made its debut as the first phase of a seven-channel thematic [[multiplex (TV)|multiplex]] that was launched by Starz (then Encore Media Group) over the course of the succeeding eight months, with the remaining six channels being launched between July and September 1994.<ref name="Encore Universal">{{cite web|title=Encore Media Corp. signed a deal with Universal's film studios that will allow Encore to launch its own movie service as its seventh multiplexed channel|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13922902.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105151254/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13922902.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=May 31, 1993|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ENCORE CELEBRATES THE EXPANSION OF SIX MULTIPLEX CHANNELS BY HONORING FILM GREATS|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ENCORE+CELEBRATES+THE+EXPANSION+OF+SIX+MULTIPLEX+CHANNELS+BY+HONORING...-a015512904|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=June 29, 1994|access-date=March 8, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021194737/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ENCORE+CELEBRATES+THE+EXPANSION+OF+SIX+MULTIPLEX+CHANNELS+BY+HONORING...-a015512904|url-status=live}}</ref> The multiplex was intended to only include six channels, but on May 31, 1993, Encore acquired the pay cable rights to broadcast recent feature films from [[Universal Pictures]] released after that year; as a result, TCI/Liberty decided to create an additional premium pay-TV service to serve as a competitor to [[HBO]] and [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref name="Encore Universal"/> The network carried the moniker "Encore 8" in its on-air branding as part of a numbering system that was used by Encore's multiplex channels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encore to spin off channels early|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14791539.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152511/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14791539.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=December 6, 1993|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> Early trademark filings indicated that TCI/Liberty's proposed names including "Applause" and "Stars" for the service (the "s" in the latter was ultimately changed to a "z" in the final naming).{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Starz focused more on recent feature films, while Starz Encore (then Encore) focused on films released between the 1960s and the 1980s, before adding recent film fare itself in July 1999. It also held the television rights to releases from [[Carolco Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]] (as well as its sibling labels [[Fine Line Features]] and [[Turner Entertainment|Turner Pictures]]), and the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]–owned studios [[Touchstone Pictures]], [[Hollywood Pictures]] and [[Miramax|Miramax Films]]. Films from those studios were not carried on Starz until 1997, after Disney's output agreement with Showtime for its non-family-oriented films concluded. The network restricted the scheduling of films that contained graphic sexual or violent content to late evening and overnight time periods.<ref>{{cite web|title=TCI details Starz! rollout plans; Tele-Communications Inc. to launch Starz! premium pay service|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15152448.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152818/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15152448.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Kim |last=Mitchell|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|publisher=[[Fairchild Publications]] |date=January 31, 1994|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>

Starz's availability was mainly limited to TCI's systems at launch, debuting with a one-month [[free preview]] available to prospective subscribers; it would eventually sign its first major carriage agreement outside the TCI group, through a deal with Continental Cablevision in September 1995.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz! signs Continental as first major non-TCI MSO|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17777868.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152824/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17777868.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Richard |last=Katz|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Fairchild Publications |date=September 18, 1995|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Starz was available to an estimated 2.8 million pay television subscribers by 1996, only one million of whom had subscribed to a cable or satellite provider other than TCI.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz!, Encore snag pay nets at TCI|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17888322.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152801/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17888322.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=John M.|last=Higgins|author-link=John M. Higgins|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Fairchild Publications |date=November 20, 1995|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> As a startup network, Starz endured major losses during its early years, with total deficits topping US$203 million and annual losses of US$150 million by 1997. It was predicted to lose an additional US$300 million in revenue before it was predicted to break even.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz! awaits digital TV platforms; losses expected to hit $300 million before break-even|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18722095.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152831/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18722095.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Rich |last=Brown|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=September 30, 1996|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>

In June 1997, [[Comcast]] signed an agreement to carry the network on its [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New Jersey]] systems to replace [[Philadelphia]]-based [[PRISM (TV network)|PRISM]] after that network shut down that October following the loss of its (and sister network [[SportsChannel Philadelphia]]'s) sports programming to [[Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz On The Horizon Goodbye Prism & Sports Channel; What's Next Depends On Where You Hang The Clicker|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-08-25/news/25568592_1_starz-premium-channel-suburban-cable|first=Rose |last=DeWolf|newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|date=August 25, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000926/http://articles.philly.com/1997-08-25/news/25568592_1_starz-premium-channel-suburban-cable|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Comcast Commits to Launch STARZ! in Philadelphia; More Than 300,000 Comcast Customers Will See STARZ! by October 1|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Comcast+Commits+to+Launch+STARZ!+in+Philadelphia%3b+More+Than+300%2c000...-a019597847|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=July 21, 1997|access-date=March 8, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303004628/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Comcast+Commits+to+Launch+STARZ!+in+Philadelphia%3b+More+Than+300%2c000...-a019597847|url-status=live}}</ref> Partly in an effort to get the network's substantial losses off its books, TCI announced a deal on June 2, 1997, in which it transferred majority ownership of the corporate entity that operated Starz, Encore Media Group, to sister company Liberty Media; TCI retained a 20% minority ownership interest in Encore Media Group. Liberty Media assumed the former company's stake in the subsidiary in 1999, following TCI's merger with [[AT&T Corporation]].<ref name="Starz! Shuffle" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty takes most of Starz! off TCI's hands|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19568168.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105151217/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19568168.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|last=Gibbons|first=Kent|periodical=Multichannel News |date=June 2, 1997|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> By May 1998, Starz maintained a subscriber base reaching 7.6 million households with a cable or satellite television subscription.<ref>{{cite news|title=SUBSCRIBERS PUT PREMIUM ON MOVIES|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67609402.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152435/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67609402.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|last=Cantwell|first=Rebecca|newspaper=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |date=May 15, 1998|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>

=== 2000s onwards ===
[[File:Starz Logo2005.png|thumb|upright=0.9|left|Starz logo used from March 28, 2005, to April 7, 2008.]]

The network gained carriage deals with many other major American cable and satellite providers by the early 2000s, particularly with the adoption of [[digital cable]], allowing for providers to add channels that they (even with capacity expansions of up to 60 channels) previously had limited room to carry. Encore Media Group was renamed the Starz Encore Media Group in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz!, Encore combine|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58736258.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152836/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58736258.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Deborah D. |last=McAdams|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=December 20, 1999|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> As part of a corporate restructuring plan in 2003, Starz Encore Group eliminated 100 jobs in its nine regional offices, and closed four of the offices outright.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz cuts staff, regional hubs; Starz Encore Group eliminates 100 jobs and closes four regional offices|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110533084.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105155544/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110533084.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Steve |last=Donohue|periodical=Multichannel News |date=November 17, 2003|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> On March 25, 2005, the Starz Encore Group corporate entity was renamed Starz Entertainment. A few days later, on March 28, 2005 at 6:30am EST, Starz introduced a new logo, and was subsequently rebranded as "starz", in all lowercase.<ref>{{cite web|title=STARZ! SCHEDULE: MARCH, 2005|url=http://www.starz.com/guides/0503STZ1.pdf|website=Starz|date=March 2005|access-date=February 14, 2013|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112061907/http://www.starz.com/guides/0503STZ1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Starz 2008.png|thumb|upright=0.9|Starz logo used from April 7, 2008, to April 5, 2016.]]

On November 19, 2009, Liberty Media spun off Starz into a separate public [[tracking stock]] called Liberty Starz.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Media Completes Split-Off and Merger with The DIRECTV Group, Inc.|url=http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=576482|agency=PR Newswire|publisher=Liberty Media|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=February 23, 2011|archive-date=November 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119114406/http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=576482|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 1, 2010, [[Chris Albrecht]] joined Starz as its president and [[chief executive officer]], then overseeing all of the Starz entities including Starz Entertainment, [[Overture Films]], [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] and [[Film Roman]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Liberty Media Names Chris Albrecht as New President and CEO of Starz, LLC|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-media-names-chris-albrecht-as-new-president-and-ceo-of-starz-llc-79891067.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=December 22, 2009|access-date=January 21, 2010|archive-date=December 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225150847/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-media-names-chris-albrecht-as-new-president-and-ceo-of-starz-llc-79891067.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 8, 2012, Liberty Media announced that it would spin off the Liberty Starz subsidiary into a separate publicly traded company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Media to spin off Starz network|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/08/08/liberty-media-to-spin-off-starz-network/|agency=[[Reuters]]|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 8, 2012|access-date=March 6, 2013|archive-date=November 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120163845/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-08/business/chi-liberty-media-to-spin-off-starz-network-20120808_1_sirius-xm-liberty-media-chief-executive-starz-president-chris-albrecht|url-status=live}}</ref> The spin-off of the subsidiary was completed on January 11, 2013, with Liberty Starz changing its name to Starz as a result.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Media Corporation and Starz Announce Completion of Spin-Off|url=http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=733175|agency=[[Business Wire]]|publisher=Liberty Media|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629230423/http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=733175|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Starz 2016.svg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|Starz logo used from April 5, 2016, to September 29, 2022.]]
On April 5, 2016, Starz was rebranded, introducing a new logo, this time stylized as "STARZ" in all uppercase. As part of the rebranding, Starz added all the [[Encore (TV network)|Encore]] channels to its moniker, therefore increasing the Starz channel lineup to 14 Starz premium channels. Its main channel was rebranded Starz Encore and carries reruns of Starz Originals in addition to films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/starz-encore-rebrand-obsessable/|title=Starz Brings Encore Under Umbrella, Unveils Rebrand|last=Maglio|first=Tony|work=The Wrap|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331040911/http://www.thewrap.com/starz-encore-rebrand-obsessable/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/starz-rebrand-encore-1201727280/|title=Starz Gets Rebrand; Encore Channels To Add Starz Moniker, Series Reruns|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714122927/https://deadline.com/2016/03/starz-rebrand-encore-1201727280/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2016, [[Starz Entertainment|Lionsgate]] agreed to acquire Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion in cash and stock; the acquisition was completed five months later on December 8.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/lionsgate-buys-starz-1201781609/|title=Lionsgate Agrees To Buy Starz For $4.4 Billion In Cash And Stock|last=Lieberman|first=David|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 30, 2016|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135434/https://deadline.com/2016/06/lionsgate-buys-starz-1201781609/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-starz-nab-shareholder-approval-44b-merger-950417|title=Lionsgate Completes $4.4B Acquisition of Starz|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2016|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221055147/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-starz-nab-shareholder-approval-44b-merger-950417|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2019, Starz was widely criticized in the tech press and by the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] for sending legal demands to [[Twitter]] in order to remove links to a news article which discussed piracy but contained neither pirated content nor links to pirated content. Starz initially responded by issuing further [[DMCA]] complaints against those criticizing them, including against a tweet from the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] stating that "Starz should withdraw its takedown and refrain from harassing journalists". However, they subsequently apologized, clarified that the invalid DMCA claims were sent on their behalf by a third-party contractor called The Social Element and promised that they are "working with our vendors to reinstate any such content that was inappropriately targeted for removal."<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite news |last=Hern |first=Alex |title=Free speech row as US TV channel forces removal of tweets |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/15/free-speech-row-us-tv-channel-forces-removal-of-tweets |date=April 15, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529020241/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/15/free-speech-row-us-tv-channel-forces-removal-of-tweets |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |title=Twitter blocks EFF tweet that criticized bogus takedown of a previous tweet |newspaper=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/twitter-copyright-enforcement-gets-absurd-blocks-links-to-news-articles/ |date=April 15, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528184345/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/twitter-copyright-enforcement-gets-absurd-blocks-links-to-news-articles/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |title=Starz Issues Apology To TorrentFreak After Demanding Takedown Of Tweets To Piracy Article |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/starz-torrentfreak-american-gods-twitter-takedown-1202596298/ |date=April 15, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528184347/https://deadline.com/2019/04/starz-torrentfreak-american-gods-twitter-takedown-1202596298/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Novak |first=Matt |title=Twitter Doesn't Want You Sharing This Link About TV Piracy |work=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/twitter-doesnt-want-you-sharing-this-link-about-tv-pira-1834043362 |date=April 15, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528184351/https://gizmodo.com/twitter-doesnt-want-you-sharing-this-link-about-tv-pira-1834043362 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lionsgate was renamed to Starz Entertainment in 2024, 6 months after spinning off most of their businesses into a new company known as [[Lionsgate Studios]].

==Channels==

===List of channels===
Depending on the service provider, Starz provides up to twelve multiplex channels – six 24-hour multiplex channels, all of which are [[simulcast]] in both [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] and [[high-definition television|high definition]] – as well as a [[video on demand|subscription video-on-demand]] service (Starz On Demand). Starz broadcasts its primary and multiplex channels on Eastern and [[Pacific Time Zone]] schedules. The respective coastal feeds of each channel are usually packaged together (though most cable providers only offer the east and west coast feeds of the main Starz channel), resulting in the [[Effects of time zones on North American broadcasting|difference in local airtimes]] for a particular movie or program between two geographic locations being three hours at most.

The premium film services Encore and MoviePlex, which are also owned by Starz, Inc., operate as separate services; as such, subscribers to one of the services do not have to subscribe to any of the others. Some providers offer Encore and MoviePlex's multiplex channels on a separate digital cable tier from Starz. However, Encore and, depending on its carriage, MoviePlex are frequently sold together in a package with Starz.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width="100%"
|- 
! Channel
! Description and programming
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz''' || The flagship service; Starz features hit movies and first-run films, from Hollywood blockbusters to independent films and international pictures. The main Starz channel commonly premieres recent theatrically released hit movies – debuting on the channel within a lag of between eight months to one year on average from their initial theatrical release – on most Friday nights at 9:00&nbsp;p.m. Eastern Time, as part of a weekly feature film block called the "Starz Friday Night Feature Premiere" (originally airing on Saturday nights until 2013, and known as "Starz Saturday Opening Night" until 2002 and "Starz Saturday Premiere" from 2002 to 2013). The channel also airs some original series, with newer episodes airing primarily on Saturday nights.
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz Cinema Logo 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz Cinema''' || Starz Cinema carries films outside the mainstream cinema, incorporating critically acclaimed studio and [[independent film|independent releases]], and arthouse films; Starz Cinema was launched in May 1999.
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz Comedy Logo 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz Comedy''' || Starz Comedy focuses on lighthearted films of varying comedic genres including [[slapstick comedy|slapstick]], [[romantic comedy|romantic comedies]] and [[dramedy|dramedies]]. It was launched in 2005.
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz Edge Logo 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz Edge''' || Starz Edge features films aimed at young adults in the 18–34 age demographic. It was launched in March 1996 as '''Starz! 2''', and was rebranded as '''Starz! Theater''' from July 1999 until March 25, 2005; in its previous incarnations, the channel's format incorporated a limited selection of films scheduled in a format mirroring the showtime scheduling used by movie theaters.
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz in Black Logo 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz In Black''' || Starz In Black focuses on black cinema and urban entertainment, carrying a mix of first-run hits, classic and Pan-African films, and original productions. Launched in 1997 as a joint venture with [[BET]], Starz In Black was known as '''BET Movies: Starz! (3)''' until 2001, when BET opted out of the venture during its purchase by [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]] (then-owner of rival premium service Showtime). It was then named '''Black Starz!''' from 2001 to 2005.
|-
| width="200" align="center" |[[File:Starz Kids & Family Logo 2022.svg|125px]]<br />'''Starz Kids & Family''' || Launched on March 25, 2005, out of the consolidation of the once separate services '''Starz! Family''' (which was launched in May 1999) and '''Starz! Kids''' (which launched over the channel space now occupied by Starz Comedy in 2003), Starz Kids & Family features commercial-free family movies – including action and adventure movies, dramas and comedies. The channel featured two program blocks: "Building Blocks", a weekday morning block of animated series (primarily imported from [[Canada]]) and "Six Block", a weekday afternoon block of imported live-action series aimed at a youth audience. Unlike Starz Encore Family (which replaced Encore Wam in August 2011), Starz Kids & Family features some PG-13 rated films within its schedule, in addition to G- and PG-rated films. Due to its family-targeted format, the network broadcasts without R nor NC-17 rated movies and TV-14 nor TV-MA rated programming, only showing programs that are rated G, PG or PG-13 (or the [[TV Parental Guidelines|equivalent]] TV-Y, TV-G, TV-Y7 or TV-PG).

Despite being a premium service, cable providers have occasionally used Starz Kids & Family (and its predecessor, Starz Family) to temporarily replace [[television station]]s dropped due to [[carriage dispute]]s such as during [[Journal Broadcast Group]]'s 2013 dispute with [[Time Warner Cable]]. This dispute resulted in TWC's systems in certain markets substituting other stations (such as the [[AccuWeather Channel|Local AccuWeather Channel]]- and [[Live Well Network]]-affiliated [[digital subchannel]]s of [[Milwaukee]], Wisconsin's [[WTMJ-TV]]) with the channel.<ref>{{cite news|title=GSN now in WTMJ-TV's slot on Time Warner Cable|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/timewarnergsn.html|first=Steve |last=Kabelowsky|date=August 15, 2013|work=[[OnMilwaukee.com]]|access-date=February 1, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202214914/http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/timewarnergsn.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A January 2000 dispute between [[Cox Communications]] and [[Fox Television Stations]] resulted in Starz! Family replacing Fox owned-and-operated stations in six markets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Some Subs Who Lost Fox Get Refunds from Cox|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59427383.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105162639/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59427383.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Linda |last=Moss|periodical=Multichannel News |date=January 17, 2000|access-date=February 25, 2011}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}}</ref>

In September 2016, the channel brought back children's programming on a weekday morning block. The block provided programming from Nelvana, [[WildBrain|WIldBrain]] (mainly programs from the [[DIC Entertainment]] and [[Cookie Jar Group]] catalogs) and [[The Jim Henson Company]]. Programs included [[Angela Anaconda]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Liberty's Kids]], [[Muppet Babies (1984 TV series)|Muppet Babies]], [[The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss]], [[The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!]] etc. Other WildBrain programs aired on [[Starz Encore|Starz Encore Family]], and all the others appeared on the Starz streaming mobile app. This block was removed for reruns of another show Starz acquired, [[Pit Pony (TV series)|Pit Pony]], in December 2020, though reruns of [[Little Charmers]] stayed until December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/10/starz-targets-cord-cutters-with-40-larger-content-library-more-kids-shows/|title=Starz expands, promises 40% larger content library, more kids' shows by year-end – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com|date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424223450/https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/10/starz-targets-cord-cutters-with-40-larger-content-library-more-kids-shows/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

====Background====
{{see also|Starz Encore#Channels}}

In 1994, Encore launched the pay television industry's first "themed" multiplex service – seven additional movie channels that each focused on a specific genre. This was intended to include only six channels, but Encore decided to launch Starz as a competitor to HBO and Showtime after it acquired the pay-TV rights to broadcast films by Universal Studios released after 1993.<ref name="Encore Universal"/> A numbering system was used for each service to identify itself as an Encore channel, though this system was abandoned for most of the channels in 1996, with the tagline "an encore network" (which Starz! also used, albeit sparingly) being used from then until 2002. Starz continued to heavily include the "Encore 8" moniker in its main [[Station identification|IDs]], feature presentation bumpers and select bumpers until 2002, even as it transitioned into a separate channel from Encore.

The tie to Encore branding-wise continued even as Starz was given its own slate of multiplex channels in the late 1990s. The first of these to debut was Starz! 2 in 1996, maintaining a set lineup of four different movies scheduled at the same times each day (inspired by the scheduling used by [[movie theater]]s) with the slate of films changing each Friday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encore targets China, multiplexes Starz!|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16823629.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152853/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16823629.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=May 15, 1995|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> This was followed in 1997 by the debut of a joint venture with [[BET Networks]] called BET Movies: Starz! 3.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black films the focus of new pay channel; Black Entertainment Television and Encore Media Group create BET Movies STARZ!3|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18722093.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152900/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18722093.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Jim |last=McConville|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=September 30, 1996|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> Two additional multiplex channels began operations in May 1999. Starz! Family carried family-oriented [[feature film|theatrical]] and [[home video]] film releases, was launched possibly in response to HBO's own family-oriented multiplex channel, HBO Family, which debuted three years earlier. The other service was Starz! Cinema, a channel featuring critically acclaimed independent films and movies outside the mainstream cinema.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz! Will Launch Two More Services|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53382353.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153911/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53382353.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|periodical=Multichannel News |date=November 30, 1998|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Net Launches|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54499994.html|periodical=CableFAX |date=April 27, 1999|access-date=February 24, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Starz! 2 was also renamed Starz! Theater to better reflect its format.

The first changes made following the original rollout of the multiplex occurred in 2001, with the rebranding of BET Movies: Starz! as Black Starz! after BET withdrew from the partnership during its acquisition by Viacom (which owned rival pay service Showtime at the time) in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Viacom Cements Purchase Of BET; Johnson to Remain CEO; Network To Stay in D.C.|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-548590.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105155701/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-548590.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Christopher |last=Stern|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 4, 2000|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> A seventh Starz multiplex channel was launched in 2004: Starz! Kids was created as a movie service featuring films aimed at children between 2 and 11 years of age, maintaining a format similar to that of Starz! Family.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Encore Expands The Starz Super Pak To 13 Channels With STARZ! KIDS; 'Movies Just for Kids'|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-encore-expands-the-starz-super-pak-to-13-channels-with-starz-kids-71253452.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=June 9, 2003|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=November 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120044203/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-encore-expands-the-starz-super-pak-to-13-channels-with-starz-kids-71253452.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the other Starz multiplex channels, Starz! Kids was launched on cable systems on a case-by-case basis instead of on a broader national scale.

The entire multiplex was overhauled on March 28, 2005, as part of an extensive rebranding of the Starz and Encore services. While Encore debuted a slightly modified logo and applied the "Encore" brand to the names of its six multiplex channels, Starz underwent a more dramatic makeover, with a completely redesigned logo – which included the [[exclamation mark]] being dropped from the channel's name – and a standardized graphics package that was implemented across all of its channels (with some modifications for each channel's format).<ref name="Starz on-air look">{{cite web|title=Starz Entertainment Group Launches Most Extensive Re-Branding in TV History; All 13 Channels Get New On-Air Looks and Logos|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-entertainment-group-launches-most-extensive-re-branding-in-tv-history-54352927.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=March 28, 2005|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=October 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005121933/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-entertainment-group-launches-most-extensive-re-branding-in-tv-history-54352927.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz heats up brand iron|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-131606915.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105154002/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-131606915.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=John |last=Dempsey|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Daily Variety]] |date=March 29, 2005|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> The programming formats of several channels changed entirely: Starz! Theater was relaunched as Starz Edge, a movie channel aimed primarily at men 18 to 34 years old (nicknamed "The New Generation" by the channel). Starz! Kids and Starz! Family were combined into a single channel called Starz Kids and Family, to make room for a new channel focusing on comedic feature films called Starz Comedy. Black Starz! also changed its name to Starz InBlack. The only multiplex channel (other than the primary feed) that retained its original name was Starz Cinema.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seeing Starz: New Look, New Nets for Premium Movie Juggernaut|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-130943770.html|periodical=CableFAX |date=March 28, 2005}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The Starz multiplex has been marketed under several names over the years including the "Starz Encore Super Pak" and the "Starz Super Pak".<ref>{{cite web|title=Sie Creates Pay TV's First 'Super Pak' With 'Starz Encore Super Brand'|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sie+Creates+Pay+TV%27s+First+%27Super+Pak%27+With+%27Starz+Encore+Super...-a058274565|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=December 16, 1999|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305043941/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sie+Creates+Pay+TV's+First+'Super+Pak'+With+'Starz+Encore+Super...-a058274565|url-status=live}}</ref> The multiplex now has no "official" marketed name {{as of|2015|lc=y}}.

On March 28, 2016, Starz introduced a new logo and tagline, "Obsessable". This coincided with a revamp of the Starz channels effective April 5 of that year, with all of Encore's channels taking on the "Starz" brand, and Encore's main channel being rebranded "Starz Encore", and airing reruns of Starz originals in addition to films. Starz now has 14 channels in its package.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/starz-encore-rebrand-new-logo-1201739832/|title=Starz Unveils New Logo, New Name and Programming Strategy for Encore (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Holloway|first=Daniel|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329040529/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/starz-encore-rebrand-new-logo-1201739832/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other services===

====Starz HD====
[[File:Starz HD logo.svg|thumb|upright=0.9|Starz HD logo in 2010]]

Starz HD is a high-definition simulcast feed of Starz that broadcasts in the [[1080i]] resolution format. In addition to its main channel, Starz also operates high-definition simulcast feeds of its five multiplex channels. When it was launched in December 2003, the simulcast covered only the east and west coast feeds of the main Starz channel. An [[enhanced-definition television|enhanced-definition]] simulcast feed and a separate HD channel called Sharper Movies HD, that would have broadcast in the 1080i format and be structured similarly to the original format of sister channel Encore's MoviePlex (in which Sharper Movies would broadcast programming from each Starz channel in daily sampler blocks), were also planned. Plans for the latter service were dropped because of a lack of interest from providers to charge a premium fee for the network.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz gives ops two HDTV options: 1080i and smaller high-resolution feeds on tap from premium programmer|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103563058.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105154823/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103563058.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Matt |last=Stump|periodical=Multichannel News |date=June 9, 2003|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz shelves 'Sharper Movies' HD channel; Starz Encore Group drops plans to launch the Sharper Movies HD channel in 12/03 due to a lack of interest|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108789018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105154915/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108789018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Steve |last=Donohue|periodical=Multichannel News |date=October 6, 2003|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> HD feeds of Starz Kids and Family, Starz Comedy and Starz Edge, followed in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Unveils Plans to Launch Three New HD Movie Channels|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-unveils-plans-to-launch-three-new-hd-movie-channels-57733237.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=November 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119021550/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-unveils-plans-to-launch-three-new-hd-movie-channels-57733237.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The remaining Starz multiplex channels, Starz Cinema and Starz In Black, launched their HD simulcast feeds on June 23, 2010, with [[DirecTV]] becoming the first provider to offer all six channels (including both coastal feeds of the primary Starz channel) in HD.<ref>{{cite web|title=All Starz Channels Now Offered in HD – New Starz In Black HD and Starz Cinema HD Channels Launched First on DIRECTV|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=LINTB:US&sid=a2UY0qaqQR.4|agency=PR Newswire|via=[[Bloomberg, L.P.]]|date=June 23, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Among others, Starz HD is carried nationally by satellite providers DirecTV and [[Dish Network]] and regionally by [[Verizon FiOS]], [[AT&T U-verse]], [[Comcast Cable|Comcast Xfinity]], [[Time Warner Cable]], Cox Communications, [[Cablevision]] and [[Charter Communications]].

====Starz On Demand====
Starz operates a video-on-demand (VOD) television service called Starz On Demand, which is available at no additional charge to new and existing Starz subscribers. The service was launched on September 19, 2001, debuting on [[Adelphia Communications Corporation|Adelphia Communications]]' [[Cleveland, Ohio]], system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milestones in the history of Starz!; Special Report: Starz! at 10|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-126430931.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911070922/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-126430931.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2012|periodical=[[TelevisionWeek]] |date=December 20, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Showtime, Starz tie SVOD bundles|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153818/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Matt |last=Stump|periodical=Multichannel News |date=July 15, 2002|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> The service offers early premieres of feature films that are scheduled to premiere on Starz, up to one month prior to their pay cable debut on the primary linear channel. Starz on Demand's rotating program selection incorporates selected new titles that are added each Friday, and existing program titles held over from the previous one to two weeks. The Starz On Demand name was also used for an online broadband streaming movie service operated by Starz and [[RealNetworks]] from 2003 to 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=RealNetworks and Starz Encore Group to Launch Online Movie Subscription Video on Demand Service on Broadband|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94853785.html|agency=PR Newswire |date=December 4, 2002|access-date=February 25, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In March 2011, Starz On Demand launched a third VOD service (in addition to its standard-definition and high-definition VOD services), offering movies presented in [[3D television|3D]] to customers of Comcast and Verizon FiOS at no additional charge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Gets Into 3D Game With Comcast, Verizon|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/starz-gets-3d-game-comcast-verizon/327843|first=Todd |last=Spangler|periodical=Multichannel News|date=April 1, 2011|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-date=August 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826133703/http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/starz-gets-3d-game-comcast-verizon/327843|url-status=live}}</ref>

===={{anchor|Starzplay}}Starzplay (U.S.)====
[[File:Starzplay-logo.svg|thumb|upright=0.9|Starzplay logo]]

The original incarnation of Starzplay was a website and [[mobile app]] that featured original programming and feature film content from Starz available for streaming in standard or high definition. It was available to Starz subscribers of Verizon FIOS,<ref>{{cite press release|title=Verizon FiOS Launches STARZ PLAY And ENCORE PLAY Authenticated Online Services|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-fios-launches-starz-play-and-encore-play-authenticated-online-services-193040611.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=February 25, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-date=November 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119070629/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-fios-launches-starz-play-and-encore-play-authenticated-online-services-193040611.html|url-status=live}}</ref> AT&T U-verse,<ref>{{cite web|title=AT&T U-verse gets Starz Play, Encore Play and Movieplex Play access|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/12/18/atandt-u-verse-gets-starz-play-encore-play-and-movieplex-play-acc/|last=Heater|first=Brian|website=[[Engadget]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426170029/http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/18/atandt-u-verse-gets-starz-play-encore-play-and-movieplex-play-acc/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cox Communications,<ref name="StarzPlayCox">{{cite web|title=New Starz Play website and apps stream only to Cox customers, but you might not need them|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/10/09/new-starz-play-website-and-apps-stream-only-to-cox-customers-bu/|first=Richard |last=Lawler|website=Engadget|publisher=AOL|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426170027/http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/09/new-starz-play-website-and-apps-stream-only-to-cox-customers-bu/|url-status=live}}</ref> Xfinity by Comcast<ref>{{cite web|title=Comcast Opens Up To Starz Play|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/comcast-opens-starz-play/374662|first=Jeff |last=Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=May 19, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505000051/http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/comcast-opens-starz-play/374662|url-status=live}}</ref> and DirecTV<ref>{{cite web|title=DirecTV Gets Starz Play And Encore Play|url=http://www.webpronews.com/directv-gets-starz-play-and-encore-play-2012-12|first=Chris |last=Crum|website=WebProNews|date=December 21, 2012|access-date=March 14, 2013|archive-date=April 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403124903/http://www.webpronews.com/directv-gets-starz-play-and-encore-play-2012-12|url-status=live}}</ref> until it was merged with Starz.com on April 5, 2016. The former incarnation of the Starzplay online service (which is structured as a [[TV Everywhere]]-style service) was launched on October 8, 2012, with the release of the [[iPad]], [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]] app<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Launches Online Viewing Options for Subscribers in Deal With Cox|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-play-online-video-services-cox-hbo-go-400281|first=Georg |last=Szalai|periodical=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media|Guggenheim Digital Media]]|date=October 8, 2012|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524172801/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-play-online-video-services-cox-hbo-go-400281|url-status=live}}</ref> until they were merged with Starz.com on April 5, 2016.

The Starzplay name was borrowed from a prior service offered in conjunction with [[Netflix]]. It was created in 2008 after the subscription streaming service struck an agreement with Starz Entertainment to allow Netflix to sub-license rights to films from distributors that maintain output deals with the linear Starz channel for online viewing – in lieu of acquiring the digital distribution rights on its own, due to the expense of acquiring newer film titles – as Netflix was considered to be merely a "content aggregator". Because Netflix chose to sub-license digital rights through Starz instead of negotiating with the studios, [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] threatened not to renew its output deal with Starz unless it either discontinued its deal with Netflix or paid Disney a licensing fee for digital streaming rights to its films (Netflix ended up assuming rights to most film releases by Walt Disney Studios from Starz in 2016).<ref name="Netflix Disney">{{cite news|title=Netflix to stream newer Disney movies|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/12/04/netflix-outbids-pay-tv-for-rights-to-disney-movies/1746037/|first=Michael |last=Lietdke|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=December 29, 2012|archive-date=December 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210024033/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/12/04/netflix-outbids-pay-tv-for-rights-to-disney-movies/1746037/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why Netflix Won't Be the HBO of the 21st Century|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-218957135.html|website=Defamer (Blogs on Demand)|publisher=Newstex LLC |date=February 15, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Starzplay (as a Netflix service) was first made available to Starz subscribers of the Verizon FiOS television service.<ref>{{cite web|title=Verizon First to Offer Starz Entertainment's New 'Starz Play' Broadband Video Service|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-first-to-offer-starz-entertainments-new-starz-play-broadband-video-service-57293677.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=May 27, 2008|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906133101/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-first-to-offer-starz-entertainments-new-starz-play-broadband-video-service-57293677.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Starz content (including most of its original programming and series content that the channel acquired through domestic and international distributors) was made available on Netflix's "Watch Instantly" platform. It was the third subscription video-on-demand online streaming service operated by Starz: Starz Ticket operated from 2004 to 2006, under a joint venture between Starz Entertainment and RealNetworks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Subscription Service Offers Downloaded Rental Movies|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118094069.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105154756/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118094069.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Dawn C. |last=Chmielewski|newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=June 14, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Starz launched Vongo, a separate online movie service for subscribers, which operated from 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz to offer download movie service for portable devices|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/starz-to-offer-download-movie-service-for-portable-devices/article_fe65dd7c-71d4-5808-aa94-8d04a776e1a5.html|first=Gary |last=Gentile|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[Napa Valley Register]]|publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]]|date=January 4, 2006|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113193438/https://napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/starz-to-offer-download-movie-service-for-portable-devices/article_fe65dd7c-71d4-5808-aa94-8d04a776e1a5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> until it was discontinued on September 30, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/vongo-dies-very-few-notice/"|title=Vongo dies, very few notice}}</ref>

On September 1, 2011, Starz announced that it would not renew its streaming agreement with Netflix, which ended on February 28, 2012; movie titles that are available on DVD from [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony Pictures]], Disney and other studios that maintain pay television distribution deals with Starz were not affected and can be acquired from Netflix by this method.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz, Netflix end renewal talks|url=http://www.wthitv.com/dpps/entertainment/consumer_tech/netflix-stock-falls-as-talks-on-starz-deal-unravel-nt11-jgr_3930574|agency=[[Associated Press]]|website=[[WTHI-TV]]|publisher=[[LIN Media]]|date=September 2, 2011|access-date=September 2, 2011|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235406/http://www.wthitv.com/dpps/entertainment/consumer_tech/netflix-stock-falls-as-talks-on-starz-deal-unravel-nt11-jgr_3930574|url-status=live}}</ref> With the expiration of the Netflix deal, film content from studios with which Starz maintains broadcast rights were no longer available for online streaming, particularly as Netflix and certain similar services such as [[Vudu]] did not have separate streaming rights to films from these individual studios. Prior to the beta launch of its Starz Online service (which became Starzplay upon its official launch), Starz announced on November 18, 2011, that it was developing a streaming application for mobile devices, allowing the network's subscribers – and in early reports, speculation that possibly non-subscription television subscribers would be allowed as well – to view Starz's series and film content.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz making streaming app, might not require cable subscription|url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/18/2571234/starz-streaming-app-no-cable|author=InstantJoseph|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417220448/http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/18/2571234/starz-streaming-app-no-cable|url-status=live}}</ref> The app was released on October 9, 2012, for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, and on May 7, 2013, for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices.<ref name="StarzPlayCox"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz, Encore and Movieplex Play apps arrive on Android|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/07/starz-play-movieplex-play-encore-play-apps-now-on-android/|first=Alexis|last=Santos|website=Engadget|publisher=AOL|date=May 7, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023407/https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/07/starz-play-movieplex-play-encore-play-apps-now-on-android/|url-status=live}}</ref> An app for authenticated subscribers for the [[Xbox 360]] was released on December 3, 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz Hops Aboard Microsoft's Xbox|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/starz-hops-aboard-microsofts-xbox-1200913876/|first=Todd |last=Spangler|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Guggenheim Digital Media|date=December 3, 2013|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111091745/http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/starz-hops-aboard-microsofts-xbox-1200913876/|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by a similar app for the [[Xbox One]] on August 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz Plays On The Xbox One|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/starz-plays-xbox-one/382979|first=Jeff |last=Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=August 5, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820185457/http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/starz-plays-xbox-one/382979|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Lionsgate+ ====
[[File:Lionsgate+.svg|thumb|upright=0.9|Lionsgate+ logo]]
Lionsgate+ (previously Starzplay),<ref name="dh-lionsgateplus">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/starz-lionsgateplus-us-canada-1235129244/|title=Starz To Rebrand As Lionsgate+ Outside U.S. And Canada|first=Max|last=Goldbart|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=September 28, 2022|archive-date=September 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928130610/https://deadline.com/2022/09/starz-lionsgateplus-us-canada-1235129244/|url-status=live}}</ref> Starzplay Arabia, and Lionsgate Play (in the south and Southeast Asia region) were Starz' international streaming services for viewers outside North America.

Starzplay Arabia was the first Starz-branded service to be localized outside the United States, launching on April 2, 2015, in 17 countries in the [[MENA|Middle East and North Africa]] region, breaching those territories before its biggest competitor in media streaming being Netflix.<ref>{{cite news |title=STARZ PLAY Arabia Launches on April 2nd in 17 Countries: New, Premium Content Direct-to-Consumer Subscription Video Business for Middle East & North Africa Markets |url=http://ir.starz.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=904497 |author=Starz PR |publisher=Starz Inc. |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627111423/http://ir.starz.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=904497 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Starzplay Arabia marks the first Starz-branded service outside the U.S. |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/global/starz-set-for-middle-east-launch-with-starz-play-arabia-1201464260/ |first=Nick |last=Vivarelli |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207125948/http://variety.com/2015/digital/global/starz-set-for-middle-east-launch-with-starz-play-arabia-1201464260/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Starzplay Arabia remains available even as the U.S. version of the service has been discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://arabia.starzplay.com/en/aboutus |title=Company - StarzPlay |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209041218/https://arabia.starzplay.com/en/aboutus |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the service became available in [[Pakistan]], as a joint venture between Cinepax, a cinema chain in Pakistan, and [[Starz Entertainment|Lionsgate]]'s StarzPlay Arabia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dubai's StarzPlay inks deal with Pakistani cinema chain |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/media/403671-dubais-starzplay-inks-deal-with-pakistani-cinema-chain |website=Arabian Business |date=3 September 2018 |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=StarzPlay partners with Pakistani cinema chain Cinepax |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1366176/corporate-news |website=Arab News |date=September 3, 2018 |publisher=[[Saudi Research and Marketing Group]] |access-date=August 30, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926161935/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1366176/corporate-news |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, Starzplay was launched in [[Brazil]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Ireland]], [[Spain]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2019|title=Starzplay, o de cómo Movistar, HBO y Amazon le han dejado a Orange las migajas del canal|url=https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/empresas/20190331/starzplay-movistar-hbo-amazon-dejado-orange-migajas/387461522_0.html|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=El Español|language=es-ES|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126164345/https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/empresas/20190331/starzplay-movistar-hbo-amazon-dejado-orange-migajas/387461522_0.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|date=November 25, 2019|title=Starz Launches Streaming App in Five International Markets, Plans 20 More|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/starz-starzplay-streaming-app-international-launch-amazon-direct-to-consumer-1203415319/|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130015917/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/starz-starzplay-streaming-app-international-launch-amazon-direct-to-consumer-1203415319/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, it became available in [[Argentina]], [[Chile]],  and [[Italy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Movistar incorpora Starzplay a su oferta de contenidos|url=https://plataformas.news/alianzas/nota/movistar-incorpora-starzplay-a-su-oferta-de-contenidos|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=Newsline Report|language=es|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127130811/https://plataformas.news/alianzas/nota/movistar-incorpora-starzplay-a-su-oferta-de-contenidos|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=STARZPLAY, la nueva App de streaming premium para España e Italia {{!}} Cine y Tele|date=March 13, 2020|url=https://www.cineytele.com/2020/03/13/starzplay-la-nueva-app-de-streaming-premium-para-espana-e-italia/|access-date=November 27, 2020|language=es-ES|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809034805/https://www.cineytele.com/2020/03/13/starzplay-la-nueva-app-de-streaming-premium-para-espana-e-italia/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2022, a 57% majority stake in Starzplay Arabia was acquired by a consortium, led by [[Etisalat|e&]] (formerly known as Etisalat) and the [[Abu Dhabi]]-based investment group [[Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company|ADQ]]. The deal was valued at $420m.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Layton |first=Mark|date=March 17, 2022 |title=Starzplay Arabia acquired by pay-TV operator E-Vision & ADQ in $420m deal |url=https://tbivision.com/2022/03/17/e-vision-adq-strike-420m-deal-for-majority-stake-in-starzplay-arabia/ |access-date=May 31, 2024 |website=TBI Vision |language=en-US |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317121358/https://tbivision.com/2022/03/17/e-vision-adq-strike-420m-deal-for-majority-stake-in-starzplay-arabia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2021, Starzplay Arabia signed a deal with Abu Dhabi Media, which allows subscribers to watch UFC fights and events live.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 14, 2021|title=StarzPlay signs deal to livestream UFC across the Mideast|url=https://arab.news/5gaxm|access-date=January 15, 2021|website=Arab News|language=en|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424053847/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1792616/business-economy|url-status=live}}</ref>

In several countries, Lionsgate+ is provided through partnerships with cable services, such as [[Vodafone España|Vodafone]] in Spain, [[Movistar TV]] in Argentina, [[IndiHome]] in Indonesia and [[PLDT|PLDT Home]] in the Philippines or within [[Apple TV]] as well.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 30, 2019|title=StarzPlay, la nueva plataforma de streaming que desembarca en Argentina|url=https://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/tv/starzplay-nueva-plataforma-streaming-desembarca-argentina_0_bK18unvjn.html|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=www.clarin.com|language=es|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125052300/https://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/tv/starzplay-nueva-plataforma-streaming-desembarca-argentina_0_bK18unvjn.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 4, 2019|title=Vodafone presenta una nueva propuesta de televisión más flexible en la que el cliente solo contratará lo que quiera ver|url=https://www.saladeprensa.vodafone.es/c/notas-prensa/np_repack/|website=[[Vodafone España]]|language=es|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521223139/http://www.saladeprensa.vodafone.es/c/notas-prensa/np_repack/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 8, 2023|title=Lionsgate Play|url=https://www.indihome.co.id/addon/lionsgateplay|website=[[IndiHome]]|language=id|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108063645/https://www.indihome.co.id/addon/lionsgateplay|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

On September 28, 2022, Lionsgate announced the international Starzplay service would be rebranded as Lionsgate+ the following day in most countries,<ref name="dh-lionsgateplus" /> eliminating much of the conflict between Lionsgate and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]'s [[Star (Disney+)|Star]] brand. The Starzplay Arabia and Lionsgate Play services would not be affected at that time, while Starz in the U.S. and Canada merely rebranded with a new version of the "STARZ" logo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lionsgate-to-focus-on-spinoff-of-studio-business-rebrands-starz-outside-of-u-s-1235228985/|title=Lionsgate to Focus on Spinoff of Studio Business, Rebrands Starz Outside of U.S.|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=September 28, 2022|archive-date=September 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928135347/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lionsgate-to-focus-on-spinoff-of-studio-business-rebrands-starz-outside-of-u-s-1235228985/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2022, it was announced that Lionsgate+ was ending operations in the markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Benelux, the Nordics, and Japan before the end of the company's fiscal year.<ref>{{Cite web|website=[[ScreenDaily]]|title=Lionsgate pulls streaming service from seven international markets|date=November 4, 2022|first=John|last=Hazelton|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/lionsgate-pulls-streaming-service-from-seven-international-markets/5176185.article|access-date=November 5, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104073810/https://www.screendaily.com/news/lionsgate-pulls-streaming-service-from-seven-international-markets/5176185.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2023, Lionsgate announced that Lionsgate+ would leave Latin America on December 31, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tudocelular.com/mercado/noticias/n210128/streaming-lionsgate-plus-sai-da-america-latina.html|title=Lionsgate Plus anuncia saída do mercado de streaming da América Latina em 2023|trans-title=Lionsgate Plus announces exit from the Latin American streaming market in 2023|language=pt|work=TudoCelular.com|date=August 12, 2023|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref> In November, the shutdown date was changed to December 11, 2023,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate+ antecipa fim dos serviços no Brasil e AL|url=https://alemdatela.com/lionsgate-antecipa-fim-dos-servicos-no-brasil-e-al/|work=Além da Tela|trans-title=Lionsgate+ anticipates end of service in Brazil and LatAm|language=pt|date=November 29, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023}}</ref> while customers who have accessed Lionsgate+ through Amazon Prime Video would have continued to access streaming until February 9, 2024.

On November 4, 2023, Lionsgate announced that Lionsgate+ would cease its operations in the UK in early 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goren |first=Or |date=2023-11-04 |title=End Of An Era: Lionsgate+ Is Shutting Down In The UK |url=https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/lionsgate-plus-shutting-down-uk/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Cord Busters |language=en-US}}</ref> On December 19, it was confirmed that the shutdown date would be on February 29, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goren |first=Or |date=2023-12-19 |title=Lionsgate+ Sets UK Shutdown Date And Refund Details |url=https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/lionsgate-plus-uk-shutdown-date-refunds/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Cord Busters |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Starz app and subscription service====
On April 5, 2016, Starz launched a new app and over-the-top subscription service to compete with [[HBO Now]] and [[Showtime (TV network)#Showtime (streaming service)|Showtime]]'s OTT subscription service. The new app, which replaced the StarzPlay service, allowed users to access Starz programming regardless of whether they had a TV package or not. The Starz app also includes offline playback functionality, allowing users to download and watch content without an internet connection.<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz Launches OTT Subscription App|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/starz-launches-ott-subscription-app-403843|website=Multichannel News|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217111208/https://www.multichannel.com/news/starz-launches-ott-subscription-app-403843|url-status=live}}</ref>

While the new STARZ app caters mostly to the North America users, the STARZ ON app (formerly STARZPLAY)<ref>{{cite news|title=What is STARZ ON and How is it Different from STARZPLAY?|url=https://www.thestreaminglab.com/p/what-is-starz-on-and-how-is-it-different|website=The Streaming Lab|date=October 7, 2024|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref> is primarily focused towards the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. Starz ON has a diverse library of original content, with live streaming capabilities. STARZPLAY stands out as the premium live-streaming service for movies, TV shows and live sports (cricket, football & more) in the MENA region; with more than 3 million subscribers, mainly from Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Football Live Streaming Apps in Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.digitalgravityksa.com/blog/top-football-live-streaming-apps-saudi-arabia/#:~:text=STARZPLAY%20is%20the%20premium%20addon%20that%20is%20included%20in%20the%20Starz%20ON%20app.%20It%20is%20a%20premier%20streaming%20service%20in%20the%20MENA%20region%2C%20catering%20to%20more%20than%203%20million%20subscribers.|website=Digital Gravity KSA|date=February 21, 2025|access-date=May 27, 2025}}</ref>

In response to the discontinuation of StarzPlay, [[Comcast]] has blocked access to the new Starz app for [[Comcast Xfinity]] customers, forcing them to instead access the network's authenticated content through the Xfinity app and website and older StarzPlay apps on platforms such as [[Roku]]. Currently, Comcast is the only major distributor to do this.<ref>{{cite news|title=Comcast Won't Authenticate Subs for New Starz App|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/comcast-wont-authenticate-subs-new-starz-app-404340|website=Multichannel News|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217110528/https://www.multichannel.com/news/comcast-wont-authenticate-subs-new-starz-app-404340|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Starz on Amazon Video====
In the winter of 2015, Amazon Video began offering Starz and rival premium network Showtime as add-on subscriptions for their customers; the cost is $8.99 per month, after a seven-day free trial.  The content deal between Amazon and Starz not only offers the channel's current and back catalog of programming, but also movies and classic TV series currently airing on Encore and its branded networks, as well as live East Coast feeds of the Starz-branded networks and Encore.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=atv_hm_hom_5_c_h_2_htsstzfe2?_encoding=UTF8&benefitId=starzSub&node=2858778011&pf_rd_i=home&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2337904342&pf_rd_r=1QJ12TJQN58F8EQ23F5C&pf_rd_s=center-8&pf_rd_t=12401 |title=Amazon.com: Prime Video {{!}} Starz |website=Amazon |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305112615/http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=atv_hm_hom_5_c_h_2_htsstzfe2?_encoding=UTF8&benefitId=starzSub&node=2858778011&pf_rd_i=home&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2337904342&pf_rd_r=1QJ12TJQN58F8EQ23F5C&pf_rd_s=center-8&pf_rd_t=12401 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Programming==

===Film library===
{{As of|2023}}, Starz and sister networks Starz Encore and MoviePlex maintain exclusive first-run film licensing agreements with [[Lionsgate Films]] (since 2022, including [[Summit Entertainment]] since 2023) and [[Universal Pictures]] (since 2022, after each films' 18 month window on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[Amazon Prime Video]]).

On March 2, 2021, Lionsgate announced films from Lionsgate Films would air on Starz for first-run rights starting in 2022, except Summit Entertainment which would start airing on Starz in 2023 after output deals with [[Hulu]] and [[HBO]] expired at the end of 2021 and 2022 respectively. On July 15, 2021, Starz reached a licensing deal with Universal Pictures for first-run movies 18 months after they streamed on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[Amazon Prime Video]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title=Lionsgate, Summit Label Films Headed to Starz for Exclusive First Window  |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lionsgate-summit-label-films-headed-to-starz-for-exclusive-first-window-4141830/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=July 15, 2021|title=Starz Inks Post Pay-One Licensing Deal for Universal Movies|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/starz-post-pay-one-licensing-deal-universal-jurassic-park-dominion-1234793988|access-date=January 11, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111155950/https://deadline.com/2021/07/starz-post-pay-one-licensing-deal-universal-jurassic-park-dominion-1234793988/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Despite being acquired by [[Lions Gate Entertainment]] in 2016, films released under the Lionsgate label did not air on Starz until 2022 due to an output deal with [[Epix]] until the end of 2019, then [[Hulu]] until the end of 2021. Summit Entertainment films did not air on Starz until 2023 due to an output deal with [[HBO]] until the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary | first=Dave|title=Lionsgate Pacts With Hulu, FX for Two-Year Output Deal|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/lionsgate-hulu-fx-distribution-deal-1203240225/ |website=Variety |date=June 11, 2019}}</ref>

Starz also shows sub-runs (runs of films that have recently received broadcast or [[broadcast syndication|syndicated television]] airings) of theatrical films from [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] (including subsidiaries [[Walt Disney Pictures]], [[Touchstone Pictures]], [[Marvel Studios]], [[Lucasfilm]], [[20th Century Studios]], and [[Hollywood Pictures]] - all for films released before 2016), [[List of Warren Miller films|Warren Miller Films]] (for films released before 2020), [[Sony Pictures|Sony Pictures Entertainment]] (including subsidiaries [[Columbia Pictures]], [[Sony Pictures Classics]], [[Screen Gems]], [[Destination Films]], [[Triumph Films]], and [[TriStar Pictures]]—all for films released before 2022), [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Discovery]] (including content from subsidiaries [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[Turner Entertainment]]—both for films released prior to 2005—and [[Castle Rock Entertainment]]), [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (including content from subsidiaries [[United Artists]], [[Orion Pictures]], and [[The Samuel Goldwyn Company]]), [[Europa Corp]], [[Paramount Pictures]] (including content from [[DreamWorks Pictures]] (pre-2011), [[Republic Pictures]], [[Nickelodeon Movies]], [[Dimension Films]] (pre-2005), [[Miramax]], [[Paramount Vantage]] and television rights to the [[Cannon Films]] and [[Carolco Pictures]] libraries), [[Revolution Studios]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Roth lines up $3bn for Revolution Studios launch|url=http://www.screendaily.com/roth-lines-up-3bn-for-revolution-studios-launch/402588.article|first=Mike |last=Goodridge|website=ScreenDaily|date=June 7, 2000|access-date=February 10, 2013|archive-date=October 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012090913/http://www.screendaily.com/roth-lines-up-3bn-for-revolution-studios-launch/402588.article|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Overture Films]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Overture Films ends three-year run, hands off marketing and distribution to Relativity Media|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/overture-films-is-over.html|first=Claudia |last=Eller|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201054204/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/overture-films-is-over.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Yari Film Group]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz nabs TV rights to four Yari films|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/starz-nabs-tv-rights-to-four-yari-films-1117982209/|first=John |last=Dempsey|periodical=Variety|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151115/https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/starz-nabs-tv-rights-to-four-yari-films-1117982209/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the network's sister company [[Lions Gate Entertainment]] (since 2012).<ref name="Lionsgate">{{cite web|title=Starz Entertainment Licenses More Than 500 Movies from Lionsgate|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/02/starz-entertainment-licenses-more-than-500-movies-from-lionsgate/118479/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217095252/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/02/starz-entertainment-licenses-more-than-500-movies-from-lionsgate/118479/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2013|first=Bill |last=Gorman|website=TV by the Numbers|date=February 2, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref>

Films for which Starz has pay-cable rights usually also run on Encore and MoviePlex during the duration of its term of licensing. From 1995 to 2002, Starz had broadcast occasional original [[made-for-TV movie|made-for-pay cable]] movies produced by the in-house company Starz! Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encore's Starz! bets on originals; new channel has several projects on tap, as does parent Encore|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254095.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153825/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254095.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Jim |last=McConville|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=August 28, 1995|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Encore goes original|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53238527.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153840/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53238527.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Donna |last=Petrozzello|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=November 9, 1998|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>

====Former first-run contracts====
At the time of its launch, Starz had secured exclusive first-run film rights with Universal Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films, New Line Cinema, Walt Disney Pictures, and Carolco Pictures.<ref name="Starz Launch"/> Between 1995 and 2005, Starz had also broadcast films from [[Turner Pictures]] and New Line Cinema.<ref>{{cite web|title=STARZ! signs new exclusive output agreement with Turner Pictures and extends current agreement with New Line Cinema and Fine Line until 2005|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!+signs+new+exclusive+output+agreement+with+Turner+Pictures+and...-a017494591|agency=Business Wire|via=The Free Library|date=September 27, 1995|access-date=January 18, 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203224557/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!+signs+new+exclusive+output+agreement+with+Turner+Pictures+and...-a017494591|url-status=live}}</ref> Starz's contract with Universal Pictures expired in late 2002, with HBO and Starz sharing half of Universal Pictures' films during the 2003 calendar year before HBO assumed pay television rights in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=HBO bid bests Starz|url=http://business.highbeam.com/5543/article-1G1-80191669/hbo-bid-bests-starz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507093520/http://business.highbeam.com/5543/article-1G1-80191669/hbo-bid-bests-starz|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2013|first=Mike |last=Reynolds|periodical=Cable World |date=February 5, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HBO, Uni ink licensing deal|url=http://business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-70431507/hbo-uni-ink-licensing-deal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508051403/http://business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-70431507/hbo-uni-ink-licensing-deal|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2013|first=Brett |last=Sporich|author2=Nellie Andreeva|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=BPI |date=February 6, 2001}}</ref>

In 1997, Starz lost its rights to many of the [[Dimension Films]] to Showtime, due to its violent content surrounding the films, except for several future [[Jackie Chan]] films Dimension Films released, which Starz kept the rights.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Variety Staff |date=1997-11-04 |title=Showtime taps Dimension |url=https://variety.com/1997/tv/news/showtime-taps-dimension-111661026/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> After the Showtime deal, in August 1999, Starz preemptively signed a four-year deal with Dimension Films that took effect in January 2003, in conjunction with a four-year extension of its existing deal with Miramax Films and the rest of the Disney family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz |first=Richard |date=1999-08-20 |title=BV takes an Encore |url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/bv-takes-an-encore-1117750597/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dempsey |first=John |date=2001-01-31 |title=HBO eclipses Starz in 8-year U pact |url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/hbo-eclipses-starz-in-8-year-u-pact-1117793026/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2002, Starz picked up the pay television rights to Disney's animated films, which previously bypassed a pay television window.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=R. Thomas Umstead |date=2002-03-25 |title=Starz Gets Disney Movie Rights |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/starz-gets-disney-movie-rights-146135 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Multichannel News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dempsey |first=John |date=2002-03-22 |title=Mouse seeing Starz! |url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/mouse-seeing-starz-1117864319/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 1997, Starz secured a licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures, broadcasting over 300 titles. Paramount Pictures' first contract with Starz expired in January 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encore Media Corporation Acquires Over 300 Titles from Paramount Pictures|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corporation+Acquires+Over+300+Titles+from+Paramount...-a019021258|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=January 14, 1997|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=February 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204051725/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corporation+Acquires+Over+300+Titles+from+Paramount...-a019021258|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2013, Starz reassumed sub-run rights to Paramount Pictures' feature film releases. Films that were initially broadcast through this deal included ''[[Dear God (film)|Dear God]]'', ''[[All I Want for Christmas (film)|All I Want for Christmas]]'' and ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz: Dear God|url=http://www.starz.com/titles/deargod|website=Starz|access-date=March 1, 2013|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515065345/http://www.starz.com/titles/DearGod|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz: All I Want For Christmas|url=http://www.starz.com/titles/alliwantforchristmas|website=Starz|access-date=March 1, 2013|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515102222/http://www.starz.com/titles/AllIWantForChristmas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz: Boomerang|url=http://www.starz.com/titles/boomerang|website=Starz|access-date=March 1, 2013|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515065126/http://www.starz.com/titles/Boomerang|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first-run film output agreement with [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] expired after December 2015, with [[Netflix]] assuming pay television rights in January 2016 (excluding films released by Touchstone Pictures, which were retained by Starz through a separate contract).<ref name="Netflix Disney"/><ref>{{cite web|title=What the Netflix-Disney Deal Means for You|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-disney-deal-means-105030674.html|first=Dori |last=Zinn|website=Yahoo! Finance|via=[[Money Talks News]]|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010220123/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-disney-deal-means-105030674.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Netflix scores exclusive rights to Disney movies|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Netflix-scores-exclusive-rights-to-Disney-movies_id37315|author=Maxwell R.|website=PhoneArena|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111161317/http://www.phonearena.com/news/Netflix-scores-exclusive-rights-to-Disney-movies_id37315|url-status=live}}</ref> Through at least the first half of 2016, Starz provided Disney films that were released before the expiration, such as ''[[Inside Out (2015 film)|Inside Out]]'' and ''[[The Good Dinosaur]]'', but none released after, such as ''[[Zootopia]]''.

The first-run film output agreement with Sony was renewed for nine years on February 11, 2013 and expired at the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz, Sony Pictures Extend Film Output Deal|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-sony-extend-film-deal-420320|first=Georg |last=Szalai|periodical=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media|Guggenheim Digital Media]]|date=February 11, 2013|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828011331/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-sony-extend-film-deal-420320|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Announces New Long-Term First-Run Premium Output Agreement With Sony Pictures Entertainment|url=http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1152|agency=PR Newswire|website=Starz MediaRoom|date=February 11, 2013|access-date=February 11, 2013|archive-date=February 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217085334/http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1152|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 8, 2021, Sony announced that they would not be renewing the agreement with Starz in favor of a new first-run agreement with Netflix.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donnelly |first1=Matt |last2=Littleton |first2=Cynthia |title=Sony Pictures Moves Movie Output Deal From Starz to Netflix in Rich Pact |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-sony-pictures-pay-1-starz-output-1234946413/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 8, 2021 |date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408170225/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-sony-pictures-pay-1-starz-output-1234946413/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Warren Miller output deal was renewed for 10 years on October 19, 2009, and the deal ended in 2019.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Starz Encore Hits the Slopes: Extends Exclusive Output Deal With Warren Miller Films|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Starz+Encore+Hits+the+Slopes%3A+Extends+Exclusive+Output+Deal+With...-a096391611|agency=PR Newswire|via=The Free Library|date=January 13, 2003|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203231735/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Starz+Encore+Hits+the+Slopes%3A+Extends+Exclusive+Output+Deal+With...-a096391611|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starz, Miller ink 10-year deal; 'Children of Winter' to bow in November|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/starz-miller-ink-10-year-deal-1118010154/|first=Jon |last=Weisman|periodical=Variety|date=October 19, 2009|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142406/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/starz-miller-ink-10-year-deal-1118010154/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Television series===

====Original programming====
{{Main|List of Starz original programming}}
Starz expanded its program offerings to include some original television series by the late 1990s, with five entertainment news programs and shows that focused on the making of upcoming or current feature films (such as ''Starz Movie News'' and ''Hollywood One on One''); some of these programs were also aired on Encore. These shows and documentaries were produced under the name '''Starz Encore Entertainment''', which was formed in 1999. In 2005, Starz began expanding its original programming slate in order to compete with rivals Showtime and HBO, with the inclusion of scripted series. Starz Encore Entertainment was renamed '''Starz Originals'''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz Has High Hopes for Its Original Shows|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/arts/television/19starz.html?_r=1|author-link=Brian Stelter|first=Brian|last=Steelter|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 18, 2009|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811143816/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/arts/television/19starz.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the initial series (such as ''[[Kung Faux]]'', ''[[The Bronx Bunny Show]]'' and ''[[Head Case]]'') maintained running times considered unconventional for a live-action series, usually running under 15 minutes in length;<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz lifts curtain on original shows Comedy roster experiments with shorter programs|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-151810100.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153955/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-151810100.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Joyzelle |last=Davis|newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |date=September 23, 2006|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> half-hour and hour-long series were eventually incorporated on the schedule by 2010 (including shows such as ''[[Spartacus (TV series)|Spartacus]], [[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' in 2011, ''[[Boss (TV series)|Boss]]'' and ''[[Da Vinci's Demons]]'').

The number of original series that debuted each year on Starz has varied, reaching a high of four series during the 2011 calendar year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Media sees Starz doubling original shows|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6903PR20101001|first=Yinka |last=Adegoke|work=Reuters|date=October 1, 2010|access-date=July 2, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004072726/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6903PR20101001|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Starz gave a series order to ''[[Outlander (TV series)|Outlander]]'', a drama based on the [[Outlander (book series)|''Outlander'' book series]] by [[Diana Gabaldon]]. The project, from ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' developer [[Ronald D. Moore]] and [[Sony Pictures Television]], received a 16-episode order, with production beginning in [[Scotland]] (where the books are set) in October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Outlander Greenlighted to Series by Starz|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/outlander-greenlighted-to-series-by-starz-511899/|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807131220/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/outlander-greenlighted-to-series-by-starz/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Outlander'' has received five nominations for the 2015 [[Women's Image Network Awards]], including a nomination in the Drama Series category. Caitriona Balfe, who plays the leading character in the show, also received a nomination in the Actress Drama Series category.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/caitriona-balfe-outlander-among-nominees-6854233|title = Caitriona Balfe and Outlander among nominees for Women's Image Network Awards 2015|date = November 18, 2015|access-date = December 7, 2015|website = Scotland Now – For Scots Everywhere|publisher = www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk|archive-date = December 8, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162214/http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/caitriona-balfe-outlander-among-nominees-6854233|url-status = live}}</ref>

After Starz's 2016 acquisition by [[Starz Entertainment|Lionsgate]], the network has moved to produce more original content, with president of programming Carmi Zlotnik calling Starz a "content pump" for Lionsgate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Szalai |first1=Georg |title=Starz Programming Chief: Lionsgate Sees Company as 'a Content Pump' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-programming-chief-lionsgate-sees-company-as-a-content-pump-1031149 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720022735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-programming-chief-lionsgate-sees-company-as-a-content-pump-1031149 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Acquired programming====
Multiplex channel Starz Kids & Family also features some series programming, which are aimed at young children and pre-teens. That channel runs two program blocks: "Building Blocks", a block airing on Monday through Saturday mornings that features animated series (such as ''[[Dragon Hunters]]'', ''[[Gawayn]]'', ''[[Zombie Hotel]]'', ''[[Savage Family Wild]]'' and ''[[Matt's Monsters]]'') and the "Six Block" (originally titled "Camp Block"<ref>{{cite web|title=STARZ KIDS & FAMILY kicks off 'Camp Block' programming with 'The Wannabes' on September 5 at 4pm ET/PT|url=http://premierguidemedia.com/starz-kids-family-kicks-off-%E2%80%9Ccamp-block%E2%80%9D-programming-with-%E2%80%9Cthe-wannabes%E2%80%9D-on-september-5-at-4pm-etpt/|website=Premiere Guide|publisher=Premiere Guide Media|date=August 11, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010221909/http://premierguidemedia.com/starz-kids-family-kicks-off-%E2%80%9Ccamp-block%E2%80%9D-programming-with-%E2%80%9Cthe-wannabes%E2%80%9D-on-september-5-at-4pm-etpt/|url-status=live}}</ref> from its launch in March 2011 until the two-hour block was moved from mid-afternoon slots varying on the film schedule to a set timeslot of 6:00&nbsp;pm Eastern Time in January 2012), a teenage-focused block airing weekday afternoons that features mainly imported series from English-speaking countries outside of America like Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom (such as ''[[Wingin' It]]'', 
''[[Genie in the House]]'', ''[[Majority Rules]]'' and ''[[Sadie J]]''<ref>{{cite press release|title=BBC Worldwide America And Starz Kids & Family Announce First Time Deal For Children's Titles Wingin' It And Sadie J|url=http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/sales-and-distribution/press/bbc-worldwide-america-and-starz-kids-family-announce-first-time-deal-for-childrens-titles-wingin-it-and-sadie-j/|publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]]|date=October 4, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2014|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203223954/http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/sales-and-distribution/press/bbc-worldwide-america-and-starz-kids-family-announce-first-time-deal-for-childrens-titles-wingin-it-and-sadie-j/|url-status=live}}</ref>). The two blocks are similar to those seen on sister channel Encore's multiplex channel [[Starz Encore#Channels|Encore Wam]] between 1994 and 2009.

==Other ventures==
Starz Entertainment has expanded considerably with the presence of its Starz and Encore family of multiplex networks, as well as ventures into television and film production, and home video distribution.

* In 1994, Starz launched the in-house company Starz Pictures, a production company that produced made-for-cable films for the television channel;<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz! Heats Up Originals|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64148064.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105155652/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64148064.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Tim |last=Clark|periodical=Cable World |date=July 31, 2000|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Starz Pictures' only major film project was the 2002 telefilm ''[[Joe and Max]]''. Starz Pictures shut down that same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz shutters original-film unit|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92864287.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153847/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92864287.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Mike |last=Reynolds|periodical=Multichannel News |date=September 16, 2002|access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>
* In 2006, Liberty Media purchased [[IDT Corporation|IDT Entertainment]], which was merged into Starz Entertainment and renamed [[Starz Media]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Born Again as Movie Producer; Liberty Media Corp. acquired IDT Entertainment which was renamed as Starz Media|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150884544.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153905/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150884544.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Christian |last=Lewis|author2=Steve Donohue|periodical=Multichannel News |date=September 4, 2006|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A New Starz Is Born|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-starz-is-born-56266452.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=August 29, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906125402/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-starz-is-born-56266452.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the purchase, Starz acquired IDT subsidiaries Anchor Bay Entertainment, Digital Production Solutions (DPS), and New Arc Entertainment. [[The Weinstein Company]], a film studio run by former Miramax heads [[Bob Weinstein|Bob]] and [[Harvey Weinstein]], purchased a 25% stake in Starz Media (but not the Starz parent company) on January 4, 2011, with Anchor Bay entering into a multi-year domestic distribution agreement of theatrical feature films released by The Weinstein Company and its [[Dimension Films]] subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weinsteins Buy 25% Stake In Starz Media|url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/weinsteins-buy-25-stake-in-starz-media-93926/|first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Mail.com Media|date=January 4, 2011|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=March 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312044441/http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/weinsteins-buy-25-stake-in-starz-media/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In November 2006, [[Chris McGurk]] and Danny Rosett launched [[Overture Films]], an independent movie studio that Liberty Media operated out of its Starz Entertainment division.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dancing with the Starz Liberty Media unit set to tango its way into movie business|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154388302.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153858/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154388302.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|first=Joyzelle |last=Davis|newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |date=November 14, 2006|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> After a proposed sale of the company failed to materialize through the absence of willing buyers, the studio was shut down in October 2010, with its marketing and distribution operations handed over to [[Relativity Media]]; Overture's small library of less than 20 films continued to be distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment for DVD release and by Starz for television broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overture Films ends three-year run, hands off marketing and distribution to Relativity Media|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/overture-films-is-over.html|first=Claudia |last=Eller|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201054204/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/overture-films-is-over.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* As part of IDT Entertainment's purchase by Liberty Media, Starz Entertainment also acquired two animation studios: Toronto-based IDT Entertainment animation studio (formerly DKP Studios), which was renamed [[Starz Animation]],<ref>{{cite web|title=New Starz studio busy on Burton's 9|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2007/09/17/starz-20070917/|website=Playback|date=September 17, 2007|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-date=April 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429194612/http://playbackonline.ca/2007/09/17/starz-20070917/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Manga Entertainment]], an international distributor of Japanese animation. Another animation studio that was also acquired due to the IDT purchase, Film Roman, was sold in October 2010 to a production company owned by a group of investors led by former Film Roman studio president Scott Greenberg called Bento Box Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news|title='Simpsons' animation studio Film Roman sold to group led by its ex-president|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/10/film-roman-animation-studio-simpsons.html|first=Ben |last=Fritz|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 11, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201071443/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/10/film-roman-animation-studio-simpsons.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Branding==
Starz's logo has incorporated a star in some form since its launch. In the original logo that was used from its launch in February 1994 until March 27, 2005, the star was composed of a two silhouettes (one star cut out from another, larger one), and a 1930s movie-styled "'''STARZ!'''" text. The original accompanying graphics were set around a CGI movie theater, with the main network ID featuring seats that opened by themselves, various theater imagery and even images resembling the [[Caduceus]],<ref>{{YouTube|title=Starz! Pre-Launch Promo Loop (from 1994)|id=dZpl9kJnTMM}}</ref> while feature presentation bumpers heavily used the movie theater themes (using spotlights and film canisters) and the "Encore 8" branding. The "theater" branding used since Starz's launch was replaced in May 2002, with a new graphics package based around natural themes (particularly water). A seven-note fanfare was also introduced as a musical motif,<ref>{{YouTube|title=Starz Ads (Amelie and Casino)|id=G8584uCXQro}}</ref> however the new look did not carry over to the multiplex channels. Starz! also introduced the "InfoBar", a lower-third banner graphic that appears on-screen during promotional breaks and during the [[Closing credits|end credits]] of films seen on the channel, originally purposed to promote upcoming programs.

The 1994 logo was replaced in March 2005 with an abstract star shooting upwards and a more modern "'''starz'''" wordmark in [[Helvetica|Helvetica Neue]]. This was part of a major rebrand of the network<ref name="Starz on-air look"/> that included a blue liquid standardized graphics package with a different color such as grey, red, green, purple, and orange for each multiplex channel; the fanfare from the previous graphics package was also re-orchestrated by Mixology Post.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vimeo.com/58922893|title=Starz Rebrand|date=February 4, 2013|website=vimeo.com|access-date=September 24, 2022|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924042241/https://vimeo.com/58922893|url-status=live}}</ref> The "InfoBar" also began to be used to promote events on the other Starz networks and to provide entertainment news headlines supplied by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' (a similar version was adopted for use by the Encore networks). That year, Starz introduced an opaque on-screen logo bug on the lower-right corner of the screen, appearing for two minutes each half-hour of the movie. Starting in Summer 2007, the 2005 logo bug for every Starz, Encore and Movieplex channel appears throughout the whole movie, until Starz reverted every screenbug back to appearing for two minutes every half hour during the April 2008 rebrand, except for Encore, Movieplex, and Starz Cinema. The introduction of the Starz on-screen logo bugs was cited by former Starz president Tom Southwick due to a large number of subscribers not knowing which of the channels they were watching when they tuned in, particularly if started viewing one of the channels after the start of a film.

The logo was changed in April 2008, with a new "'''starz'''" wordmark in a different font, with a star shining between the "a" and "r". It was introduced in black, but the coloring of the logo was modified to an orange/gold gradient in April 2011. The channel replaced the opaque on-screen logo bugs with a white logo bug on all channels and a bright orange bug for Starz HD as of April 7, 2008, and Starz Kids & Family's HD simulcast feed in July 2011. After the 2011 rebrand, the white logo bug for every Starz channel stayed on-screen throughout the whole movie again until the 2013 rebrand, when it reverted to two-minutes every half hour, also applying to Encore channels. After this logo's introduction, the "InfoBar" switched back to promoting programming only on the main Starz channel, but it served as a network ID on some of its multiplex channels.

In 2016, Starz redesigned its logo again, with a new uppercase "'''STARZ'''" wordmark in black. When it appeared on-screen, it was white against a black background.

In 2022, following the renaming of StarzPlay to Lionsgate+, Starz got a new logo, with a bolder teal wordmark, which appears in a yellow-sky blue gradient on-screen.

===Network slogans===

* ''Starz More of What You Want for Less'' (1994–???)
* ''Only on Starz and No Other Movie Channel'' (early February 1994–August 1995)
* ''Starz! – Big Movies and More'' (September 1, 1995–late October 1998)
* ''100% Movies'' (November 1, 1998–late August 1999)
* ''Movies, Movies, New Hit Movies'' (September 1, 1999–early September 2000)
* ''#1 in New Hit Movies'' (September 18, 2000–late December 2004)
* ''An Influx of Movies – Only on Starz'' (early January 2005–late March 2008)
* ''Are You Ready?'' (April 2008–late August 2012)<ref>{{cite web|title=Starz Unveils Brand Campaign Featuring New Logo and Tag Line 'Are You Ready?(SM)'|url=http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=832|agency=PR Newswire|website=Starz MediaRoom|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=April 1, 2008|archive-date=April 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412093258/http://starz.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=832|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Taking You Places'' (September 2012–March 2016)
* ''Obsessable'' (April 2016–September 2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2016/03/28/starz-unveils-new-master-brand-937110/20160328starz01/|title=Starz Unveils New Master Brand|work=The Futon Critic|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref>
* ''Just You Watch'' (September 2022–present)
* ''We're All Adults Here'' (July 2024 – present, secondary)
{{inc-tv|date=October 2021}}

==See also==
* [[PRISM (TV channel)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=yes}}
* {{Official website|https://www.starz.com/}}
* [http://www.starzglobal.com/ Starz Media corporate website]

{{Lions Gate Entertainment}}
{{Starz Shows}}
{{U.S. premium television services}}
{{U.S. movie television channels}}
{{VOD services}}
{{U.S. family-oriented television channels}}

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[[Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Commercial-free television networks]]
[[Category:Companies based in Meridian, Colorado]]
[[Category:Former Liberty Media subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Movie channels in the United States]]
[[Category:Starz Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1994]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]