Starz
American premium television and streaming company operating the Starz, Starz Encore, and MoviePlex networks.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Starz Inc. is an American entertainment company focused on premium television networks and related streaming services. Its principal consumer brand is Starz, a subscription television and direct-to-consumer service known for original series, feature-film licensing, and programming aimed at adult audiences. The company also operates the Starz Encore family of multiplex channels and the MoviePlex group, which includes IndiePlex and RetroPlex. The business began in 1991 as Liberty Star, a television-programming venture associated with Liberty Media and Tele-Communications Inc., both controlled by John C. Malone. Its first major service was Encore, a premium movie channel launched on cable systems operated by TCI. Starz followed in 1994, initially positioning itself as another premium movie service, while Encore Plex, later renamed MoviePlex, was introduced in 1997. The corporate entity changed names several times as its portfolio expanded, becoming Encore Media Corporation, Encore Media Group, Starz Encore Group, and eventually Starz Entertainment Group. During the 2000s, the company broadened beyond linear cable channels. It acquired the American, Canadian, and Australian operations of IDT Entertainment in 2006 and reorganized those assets under Starz Media. This expansion brought film production, home entertainment, animation, and distribution capabilities into the wider group. Projects and labels associated with this period included Overture Films, Anchor Bay Films, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Film Roman. The company later entered distribution arrangements involving The Weinstein Company, while maintaining its central premium-network business. In 2009, Liberty Media separated the Starz assets into a tracking-stock structure called Liberty Starz. The business became a separately traded public company in January 2013, when it was renamed Starz Inc. and listed on Nasdaq under dual share classes. At that point its activities included Starz Networks, Starz Distribution, and a minority interest in Arc Productions. The company remained closely associated with Liberty Media and John Malone, whose ownership and board relationships also connected Starz with Lionsgate. Lionsgate agreed to acquire Starz in June 2016 in a transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion in cash and stock. The transaction closed in December 2016, making Starz a Lionsgate subsidiary and integrating much of the former company's distribution and home-entertainment infrastructure into Lionsgate operations. Starz continued as a distinct premium-network and streaming brand rather than disappearing into the Lionsgate label. In the 2020s, Starz emphasized direct-to-consumer streaming alongside traditional pay-TV distribution. Its programming portfolio has included original scripted series, licensed films, and genre- or audience-focused channel extensions such as Starz Cinema, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, Starz in Black, and Starz Kids & Family. The business has also undergone restructuring as Lionsgate prepared to separate its studio assets from the Starz network operation. In 2023, Lionsgate announced that Starz would leave the United Kingdom and Australian television markets and reduce its workforce. Starz remains principally a North American premium entertainment service within the broader Lionsgate group.
History
Starz Inc. traces its origins to Liberty Star, established in 1991 as a television-programming venture connected to Liberty Media and Tele-Communications Inc. John C. Malone was influential in both organizations, while JJS Communications, led by former TCI sales and marketing executive John J. Sie, held a minority position. The venture launched Encore in 1991 on TCI-operated cable systems. Starz was added in 1994, and Encore Plex, later known as MoviePlex, followed in 1997. The early business experienced significant losses associated with building and distributing the Starz service. In 1997, TCI transferred part of its interest to Liberty Media while retaining a minority stake. After TCI’s combination with AT&T in 1999, Liberty Media ultimately obtained full ownership. The corporate name evolved from Encore Movie Group to Encore Media Corporation, Encore Media Group, Starz Encore Media Group, and Starz Encore Group. In 2001, the company dropped “Media” from its name. In 2003, a restructuring eliminated jobs and closed several regional offices. In 2005, the company became Starz Entertainment Group, and its flagship Starz! network was rebranded as Starz. The new presentation removed the exclamation mark and introduced a star-based visual identity. The following year, Liberty Media acquired IDT Entertainment’s American, Canadian, and Australian operations. Those assets were placed under the Starz organization, which adopted the Starz Media name for its broader film, home-entertainment, animation, and production activities. The group launched Overture Films in 2006 and acquired or developed additional distribution and film-label operations, including Anchor Bay Films and Anchor Bay Entertainment. Liberty Media spun Starz Entertainment Group into a separate tracking stock in 2009 and appointed Chris Albrecht as president and chief executive officer in 2010. Starz Media also entered a 2011 relationship with The Weinstein Company involving a minority investment and distribution arrangements for physical and digital releases. In 2013, Liberty Starz was fully separated from Liberty Media, renamed Starz Inc., and listed on Nasdaq under the STRZA and STRZB share classes. Its businesses included Starz Networks, Starz Distribution, and a minority interest in Arc Productions. The company’s ownership structure increasingly overlapped with Lionsgate. In 2015, Malone exchanged part of his Starz economic and voting position for Lionsgate shares and joined Lionsgate’s board. Lionsgate subsequently agreed to acquire Starz in June 2016. The deal closed on December 8, 2016, with Starz becoming a Lionsgate subsidiary. Lionsgate absorbed or combined several distribution and home-entertainment functions, while retaining Starz as a separate premium television and streaming operation. Starz’s later strategy placed greater weight on streaming and original programming while preserving its linear pay-TV networks and multiplexes. The network family expanded around genre, demographic, and movie categories, including Starz Cinema, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, Starz in Black, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Encore, and the MoviePlex services. In 2023, Lionsgate announced a corporate restructuring that included separating its studio assets from Starz. The same period brought a planned withdrawal from the United Kingdom and Australia television markets and a reduction in Starz’s workforce. The company remains active as a premium entertainment brand within the Lionsgate corporate structure.
- 2023
International restructuring announced
[1]Lionsgate announces Starz’s planned exits from the United Kingdom and Australian television markets and a workforce reduction.
- 2016
Lionsgate acquisition closes
[1]Lionsgate completes its acquisition of Starz, turning the company into a subsidiary.
- 2013
Starz becomes an independent public company
[1]The Liberty Starz spin-off is completed, creating Starz Inc. as a separately traded Nasdaq company.
- 2006
IDT Entertainment assets acquired
[1]Liberty Media acquires IDT Entertainment operations and integrates them into the Starz organization.
- 2005
Starz branding adopted
[1]Starz Entertainment Group renames the Starz! network as Starz and introduces a revised logo and identity.
- 1997
Encore Plex launches
[1]Encore Plex, later renamed MoviePlex, joins the company’s premium channel portfolio.
- 1994
Starz launches
[1]The Starz premium movie network begins operations, expanding the company’s subscription television portfolio.
- 1991
Encore launches
[1]The company’s predecessor launches the Encore premium movie channel on cable systems operated by Tele-Communications Inc.
Products and positioning
Premium subscription entertainment provider combining adult-oriented original programming, feature films, and focused multiplex television services.
Premium television and streaming service · 1994
Starz
The flagship Starz service offers premium subscription television and direct-to-consumer streaming. Its programming has combined licensed feature films with original scripted series and has been distributed through cable, satellite, digital platforms, and online subscriptions. The service is oriented toward adult entertainment audiences and remains the principal consumer-facing brand of Starz Inc.
Premium multiplex television network · 1991
Starz Encore
Starz Encore is a family of premium movie and entertainment channels descended from the company’s original Encore service. Its multiplexes have included action, Black cinema, classic films, family programming, suspense, Westerns, and Spanish-language offerings, allowing distributors to package distinct programming niches alongside the flagship Starz channel.
Premium movie television network · 1997
MoviePlex
MoviePlex is the successor to Encore Plex, launched as a premium movie service and later supported by related channels such as IndiePlex and RetroPlex. The group has focused on curated film programming and has complemented the Starz and Starz Encore networks within the company’s subscription television portfolio.
Network portfolio
Starz Networks
Starz Networks is the operating group for the company’s premium channels and multiplex services. The portfolio has included Starz, Starz Cinema, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, Starz in Black, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Encore and its themed multiplexes, and MoviePlex-related services.
Controversies
2017
Industry scrutiny following Weinstein allegations
Following sexual-abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Lionsgate was reported as one of the companies that could potentially acquire The Weinstein Company. The reference material does not identify a completed acquisition by Lionsgate; the connection was reported in the context of industry discussions about the company’s assets.
Brand decisions
2023
International-market and workforce restructuringStrategyBackground
Lionsgate was preparing to separate its studio assets from the Starz network business and reduce the group’s exposure to less central international television markets.
Action taken
Starz announced plans to exit television operations in the United Kingdom and Australia by the end of 2023 and reduce its workforce by approximately 10 percent.
Aftermath
The restructuring concentrated Starz more heavily on its core North American premium television and streaming business.
2016
Lionsgate acquisitionM&ABackground
Starz and Lionsgate had overlapping financial and governance relationships through John C. Malone, while both companies were seeking scale in filmed entertainment and premium television.
Action taken
Lionsgate agreed to acquire Starz Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion, completing the deal in December 2016.
Aftermath
Starz became a Lionsgate subsidiary. Lionsgate combined parts of Starz’s home-entertainment and television-distribution operations with its own divisions while retaining Starz as a distinct network and streaming brand.
Transaction value. Approximately $4.4 billion (Announced June 2016; completed December 2016)
Recent events
Reported
STARZ announces distribution agreement with Verizon Fios[5]
STARZ announced a new distribution agreement with Verizon Fios that restores STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand and the STARZ app through Verizon Fios.
- Unconfirmed
Starz, Channel 4 and Roast Beef Productions coproduce documentary[6]
Starz teamed up with Channel 4 and Roast Beef Productions to coproduce the documentary Ghislaine Maxwell: Life on Trial.
Reported
Starz launches #TakeTheLead inclusion initiative[7]
Starz announced the launch of #TakeTheLead, an initiative to deepen its commitment to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. The initiative includes monthly Transparency Talks, with a summit planned to conclude the series.
Reported
Starz launches Lionsgate Play in Indonesia[8]
Starz expanded into Indonesia by launching its Lionsgate Play OTT platform there.
Reported
Lionsgate Play launched in India[9]
Lionsgate and Starz launched the Lionsgate Play direct-to-consumer OTT app in India.
Reported
Starz appoints Christina Davis president of original programming[10]
Starz named Christina Davis president of original programming, where she will lead programming and development for the service.
Reported
Starz launches international STARZPLAY app[11]
Starz launched an international version of its STARZPLAY streaming app in the UK, France, Germany, Brazil and Mexico. The company said it planned to roll out the app in a further 20 countries in 2020.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
StarzPlay launches in five international markets[12]
Starz launched its direct-to-consumer StarzPlay streaming app in Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico and the U.K.
Starz acquires six titles[13]
Starz announced that it had recently acquired six titles, including the documentary This Changes Everything and the series In the Long Run, for availability on STARZ and through the STARZ app.
Sources14 sources
- 1Starz Inc.en.wikipedia.org
- 2Starz official websitestarz.com
- 3Lionsgate agrees to acquire Starzreuters.com
- 4Industry scrutiny following Weinstein allegationsen.wikipedia.org
- 5STARZ宣布与Verizon Fios达成分销协议prnewswire.com
- 6Starz、Channel 4与Roast Beef Productions联合制作纪录片c21media.net
- 7Starz 推出 #TakeTheLead 包容性倡议prnewswire.com
- 8Starz在印度尼西亚推出Lionsgate Playscreendaily.com
- 9Lionsgate Play 在印度推出financialexpress.com
- 10Starz任命Christina Davis为原创节目总裁variety.com
- 11Starz推出国际版STARZPLAY应用tvbeurope.com
- 12StarzPlay在五个国际市场推出variety.com
- 13Starz收购六部影视作品thefutoncritic.com
- 14Starz Acquires 6 New Titles Including Series by Idris Elba | Cord Cutters Newscordcuttersnews.com
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