History of Starz in Timeline

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Starz

Starz is an American pay television network that launched in 1994. It's owned by Starz Entertainment and serves as the flagship property of Starz Inc. The network primarily broadcasts theatrically released movies and original television series. Starz operates multiple 24-hour linear channels, a subscription video-on-demand service, and an over-the-top streaming platform. The streaming platform serves both traditional subscribers and streaming-only consumers.

1992: Airing of 'Scent of a Woman' and 'The Crying Game'

In 1992, the dramas "Scent of a Woman" and "The Crying Game", released in that year, were the first two movies aired on the network, when Starz launched on February 1, 1994.

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May 31, 1993: Acquisition of Universal Pictures Rights

On May 31, 1993, Encore acquired the pay cable rights to broadcast recent feature films from Universal Pictures released after that year, leading to the creation of Starz as a competitor to HBO and Showtime.

1993: Encore Acquires Universal Studios Film Rights

In 1993, Encore acquired the pay-TV rights to broadcast films by Universal Studios, which resulted in the launch of Starz as a competitor to HBO and Showtime.

February 1, 1994: Starz Launch

On February 1, 1994, Starz was launched at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, primarily on cable systems operated by Tele-Communications Inc. The first two movies aired on the network were dramas released in 1992: Scent of a Woman and The Crying Game.

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February 1994: Original Logo Launch

In February 1994, Starz launched with a logo composed of two star silhouettes and a 1930s movie-styled "STARZ!" text. The accompanying graphics were set around a CGI movie theater.

September 1994: Multiplex Launch Completion

In September 1994, Starz completed the launch of its seven-channel thematic multiplex, which began in July of that year. The multiplex was originally intended to include only six channels.

1994: Launch of Encore Wam

In 1994, Encore launched Encore Wam, similar to the programming blocks on Starz Kids & Family.

1994: Themed Multiplex Service Launched

In 1994, Encore launched the pay television industry's first "themed" multiplex service, consisting of seven additional movie 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.

1994: Starz Launched

In 1994, Starz was launched as a multiplex service of what is now Starz Encore. It is an American pay television network owned by Starz Entertainment, and is the flagship property of Starz Inc.

1994: Original Logo Launch

The original logo for Starz was launched in 1994.

September 1995: First Major Carriage Agreement

In September 1995, Starz signed its first major carriage agreement outside the TCI group, with Continental Cablevision.

1995: Broadcast Films From Turner Pictures and New Line Cinema

Between 1995 and 2005, Starz broadcast films from Turner Pictures and New Line Cinema.

1995: Original Made-for-Pay Cable Movies Produced

From 1995 to 2002, Starz broadcast occasional original made-for-pay cable movies produced by the in-house company Starz! Pictures.

1996: Subscriber Base

By 1996, Starz was available to an estimated 2.8 million pay television subscribers, with only one million subscribing through providers other than TCI.

1996: Starz! 2 Debut

In 1996, Starz! 2 debuted, maintaining a set lineup of four different movies scheduled at the same times each day, with the slate of films changing each Friday.

1996: Numbering System Abandoned

In 1996, the numbering system for each service to identify itself as an Encore channel was abandoned for most of the channels, using the tagline "an encore network" instead.

January 1997: Licensing Agreement with Paramount Pictures

In January 1997, Starz secured a licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures, broadcasting over 300 titles.

June 2, 1997: TCI Transfers Majority Ownership

On June 2, 1997, TCI announced a deal to transfer majority ownership of Encore Media Group, which operated Starz, to sister company Liberty Media. TCI retained a 20% minority ownership interest.

June 1997: Comcast Agreement

In June 1997, Comcast signed an agreement to carry Starz on its Pennsylvania and New Jersey systems, replacing PRISM after its shutdown.

1997: Financial Losses

By 1997, as a startup network, Starz had total deficits topping US$203 million and annual losses of US$150 million.

1997: BET Movies: Starz! 3 Joint Venture

In 1997, Starz launched a joint venture with BET Networks called BET Movies: Starz! 3.

1997: Loss of Dimension Films Rights

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.

1997: Films from Disney-owned studios added to Starz

In 1997, after Disney's output agreement with Showtime concluded for its non-family-oriented films, Starz began to carry films from the Disney-owned studios Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films.

May 1998: Subscriber Base Reaches 7.6 Million Households

By May 1998, Starz maintained a subscriber base reaching 7.6 million households with a cable or satellite television subscription.

May 1999: Additional Multiplex Channels Launched

In May 1999, Starz! Family, carrying family-oriented films, and Starz! Cinema, featuring independent films, began operations. Starz! 2 was also renamed Starz! Theater.

July 1999: Starz Encore Adds Recent Films

In July 1999, Starz Encore began to include recent film releases in its programming, complementing its focus on films from the 1960s to the 1980s.

August 1999: Deal with Dimension Films

In August 1999, Starz preemptively signed a four-year deal with Dimension Films that would take effect in January 2003. This deal was in conjunction with a four-year extension of Starz's existing deal with Miramax Films and the rest of the Disney family.

1999: Formation of Starz Encore Entertainment

In 1999, Starz Encore Entertainment was formed to produce entertainment news programs and shows focused on the making of upcoming or current feature films.

1999: Liberty Media Assumes Stake

In 1999, following TCI's merger with AT&T Corporation, Liberty Media assumed the former company's stake in Encore Media Group.

January 2000: Starz Family Replaces Fox Stations

In January 2000, a dispute between Cox Communications and Fox Television Stations led to Starz! Family temporarily replacing Fox owned-and-operated stations in six markets.

2000: Encore Media Group Renamed

In 2000, Encore Media Group was renamed Starz Encore Media Group.

September 19, 2001: Starz On Demand Launch

On September 19, 2001, Starz launched Starz On Demand, a video-on-demand television service available to Starz subscribers at no extra cost. The service debuted on Adelphia Communications' system in Cleveland, Ohio.

2001: BET Movies: Starz! Rebranded

In 2001, BET Movies: Starz! was rebranded as Black Starz! after BET withdrew from the partnership due to Viacom's acquisition of BET.

May 2002: New Graphics Package

In May 2002, Starz replaced the "theater" branding used since its launch with a new graphics package based around natural themes, particularly water. A seven-note fanfare was also introduced as a musical motif.

2002: Original Made-for-Pay Cable Movies Ended

From 1995 to 2002, Starz broadcast occasional original made-for-pay cable movies produced by the in-house company Starz! Pictures.

2002: Disney Animated Films Rights

In 2002, Starz acquired the pay television rights to Disney's animated films, which previously bypassed a pay television window.

2002: Universal Pictures Contract Expired

In late 2002, Starz's contract with Universal Pictures expired, leading to shared rights with HBO.

2002: Encore Moniker Discontinued

Starz continued to heavily include the "Encore 8" moniker in its main IDs, feature presentation bumpers and select bumpers until 2002, even as it transitioned into a separate channel from Encore.

January 2003: Dimension Films Deal Effective

In January 2003, the four-year deal between Starz and Dimension Films, signed in August 1999, took effect. This was in conjunction with a four-year extension of Starz's existing deal with Miramax Films and the rest of the Disney family.

December 2003: Starz HD Launch

In December 2003, Starz launched Starz HD, a high-definition simulcast feed of the main Starz channel broadcasting in 1080i resolution. Initially, the simulcast only covered the east and west coast feeds.

2003: Shared Films With HBO

During the 2003 calendar year, HBO and Starz shared half of Universal Pictures' films.

2003: Online Broadband Streaming Movie Service

From 2003, the Starz On Demand name was used for an online broadband streaming movie service operated by Starz and RealNetworks.

2003: Corporate Restructuring

In 2003, as part of a corporate restructuring plan, Starz Encore Group eliminated 100 jobs in its nine regional offices and closed four of the offices outright.

2004: HBO Assumed Pay Television Rights

In 2004, HBO assumed pay television rights for Universal Pictures' films.

2004: Starz! Kids Launched

In 2004, Starz! Kids was launched 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.

2004: Online Broadband Streaming Movie Service

Starz On Demand name was used for an online broadband streaming movie service operated by Starz and RealNetworks until 2004.

March 2005: Rebrand with New Logo and Graphics

In March 2005, the 1994 logo was replaced with an abstract star and a modern "starz" wordmark as part of a major rebrand. This included a blue liquid standardized graphics package with different colors for each multiplex channel.

March 25, 2005: Starz Encore Group Renamed

On March 25, 2005, the Starz Encore Group corporate entity was renamed Starz Entertainment.

March 27, 2005: First Logo Replacement

On March 27, 2005, Starz replaced its original logo, used since February 1994, with an abstract star shooting upwards and a more modern "starz" wordmark in Helvetica Neue.

March 28, 2005: Rebranding and New Logo

On March 28, 2005, Starz introduced a new logo and was subsequently rebranded as "starz", in all lowercase.

2005: Broadcast Films From Turner Pictures and New Line Cinema Ended

Between 1995 and 2005, Starz broadcast films from Turner Pictures and New Line Cinema.

2005: Expansion of Original Programming

In 2005, Starz began expanding its original programming slate to compete with rivals Showtime and HBO, with the inclusion of scripted series. Starz Encore Entertainment was renamed Starz Originals.

2005: Dimension Films Airings

Starz shows sub-runs (runs of films that have recently received broadcast or syndicated television airings) of films from Dimension Films (pre-2005).

January 2006: Expiration of Paramount Pictures Contract

In January 2006, Paramount Pictures' first contract with Starz expired.

2006: Vongo Launched

In 2006 Starz launched Vongo, a separate online movie service for subscribers.

2007: HD Feeds Expansion

In 2007, Starz expanded its HD offerings by launching HD feeds of Starz Kids and Family, Starz Comedy, and Starz Edge.

2007: Introduction of Opaque On-Screen Logo

Starting in Summer 2007, 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.

April 7, 2008: Introduction of New Logo Bugs

As of April 7, 2008, Starz replaced the opaque on-screen logo bugs with a white logo bug on all channels and a bright orange bug for Starz HD.

April 2008: Screenbug Reverted

During the April 2008 rebrand, 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.

April 2008: Logo Change with New Wordmark

In April 2008, the Starz logo was changed with a new "starz" wordmark in a different font and a star shining between the "a" and "r".

September 30, 2008: Vongo Discontinued

On September 30, 2008, Starz discontinued Vongo, a separate online movie service for subscribers that had been operating since 2006.

2008: Starzplay Created with Netflix

In 2008, Starzplay was created as a service in conjunction with Netflix, allowing Netflix to sub-license rights to films from distributors with output deals with the linear Starz channel for online viewing.

October 19, 2009: Renewal of Warren Miller Output Deal

On October 19, 2009, the Warren Miller output deal with Starz was renewed for 10 years.

November 19, 2009: Liberty Media Spins Off Starz

On November 19, 2009, Liberty Media spun off Starz into a separate public tracking stock called Liberty Starz.

2009: Closure of Encore Wam

In 2009, Encore Wam was closed, after operating since 1994.

January 1, 2010: Chris Albrecht Joins Starz

On January 1, 2010, Chris Albrecht joined Starz as its president and chief executive officer, overseeing all Starz entities including Starz Entertainment, Overture Films, Anchor Bay Entertainment and Film Roman.

June 23, 2010: HD Simulcast Feeds Launch

On June 23, 2010, Starz launched HD simulcast feeds for Starz Cinema and Starz In Black, making DirecTV the first provider to offer all six Starz channels in HD, including both coastal feeds of the primary Starz channel.

2010: Incorporation of Longer Series

By 2010, Starz incorporated half-hour and hour-long series into its schedule, including shows such as Spartacus.

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March 2011: Launch of Camp Block

In March 2011, Starz Kids & Family launched "Camp Block", later renamed "Six Block", a teenage-focused block airing weekday afternoons featuring mainly imported series from English-speaking countries outside of America like Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

March 2011: 3D VOD Service Launch

In March 2011, Starz On Demand launched a third VOD service offering movies in 3D to Comcast and Verizon FiOS customers at no additional charge.

April 2011: Logo Coloring Modified

In April 2011, the coloring of the Starz logo was modified to an orange/gold gradient.

July 2011: HD Simulcast Feed for Starz Kids & Family

In July 2011, Starz Kids & Family's HD simulcast feed introduced the white logo bug.

September 1, 2011: Starz Ended Streaming Agreement with Netflix

On September 1, 2011, Starz announced that it would not renew its streaming agreement with Netflix, which ended on February 28, 2012.

November 18, 2011: Starz Mobile Streaming App Development Announced

On November 18, 2011, Starz announced that it was developing a streaming application for mobile devices to allow subscribers to view Starz's series and film content.

2011: Torchwood: Miracle Day

In 2011, Starz included shows such as Torchwood: Miracle Day in their schedule.

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2011: DreamWorks Pictures Airings

Starz shows sub-runs (runs of films that have recently received broadcast or syndicated television airings) of films from DreamWorks Pictures (pre-2011).

2011: Peak in Original Series Debuts

The number of original series that debuted each year on Starz reached a high of four series during the 2011 calendar year.

January 2012: Camp Block Renamed Six Block

In January 2012, the "Camp Block" on Starz Kids & Family was renamed the "Six Block" and moved to a set timeslot of 6:00 pm Eastern Time.

February 28, 2012: Netflix Streaming Agreement Ended

On February 28, 2012, the streaming agreement between Starz and Netflix officially ended, leading to the removal of film content from studios with which Starz maintained broadcast rights from Netflix's online streaming platform.

August 8, 2012: Liberty Media Announces Spin-off

On August 8, 2012, Liberty Media announced that it would spin off the Liberty Starz subsidiary into a separate publicly traded company.

October 8, 2012: Starzplay Online Service Launch

On October 8, 2012, Starz launched the Starzplay online service as a TV Everywhere-style service with the release of the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch app. This service was available until it was merged with Starz.com on April 5, 2016.

Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver
Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver

October 9, 2012: Starz Mobile App Release

On October 9, 2012, Starz released its streaming application for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices, allowing subscribers to access Starz's series and film content.

Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver
Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver

2012: Lions Gate Entertainment Films Aired

Starz shows sub-runs of films from the network's sister company Lions Gate Entertainment (since 2012).

January 11, 2013: Spin-off Completion and Name Change

On January 11, 2013, the spin-off of the Liberty Starz subsidiary was completed, with Liberty Starz changing its name to Starz as a result.

February 11, 2013: Renewal of Sony Film Agreement

On February 11, 2013, the first-run film output agreement between Starz and Sony was renewed for nine years.

April 2013: Reassumption of Paramount Pictures Rights

In April 2013, Starz reassumed sub-run rights to Paramount Pictures' feature film releases.

May 7, 2013: Android App Release

On May 7, 2013, Starz released its streaming application for Android devices.

October 2013: Series Order for Outlander

In October 2013, Starz gave a series order to Outlander, a drama based on the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. Production began in Scotland.

December 3, 2013: Xbox 360 App Release

On December 3, 2013, Starz released an app for authenticated subscribers for the Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 250GB Slim Console - (Renewed)
Xbox 360 250GB Slim Console - (Renewed)

2013: Reversion to Two-Minute Logo Bug

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.

2013: Starz Kids & Family Substitution

During Journal Broadcast Group's 2013 dispute with Time Warner Cable, cable providers temporarily used Starz Kids & Family to replace television stations dropped due to carriage disputes.

August 5, 2014: Xbox One App Release

On August 5, 2014, Starz released a streaming application for the Xbox One.

Microsoft Xbox One Special Edition inMatte Blackin 500GB (video game)(Renewed)
Microsoft Xbox One Special Edition inMatte Blackin 500GB (video game)(Renewed)

April 2, 2015: Starzplay Arabia Launch

On April 2, 2015, Starzplay Arabia was launched, becoming the first Starz-branded service to be localized outside the United States, launching in 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.

December 2015: Expiration of Disney Film Agreement

The first-run film output agreement between Starz and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures expired after December 2015.

2015: Marketing Name Discontinued

As of 2015, the Starz multiplex no longer has an "official" marketed name.

2015: Starz as Amazon Add-on Subscription

In 2015, Amazon Video began offering Starz as an add-on subscription for their customers at the cost of $8.99 per month, after a seven-day free trial. The content deal also included movies and classic TV series airing on Encore and its branded networks, as well as live East Coast feeds of the Starz-branded networks and Encore.

2015: Outlander Nominations

In 2015, Outlander received five nominations for the 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.

January 2016: Netflix Assumes Pay TV Rights

In January 2016, Netflix assumed pay television rights from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, excluding films released by Touchstone Pictures, which were retained by Starz through a separate contract.

March 28, 2016: New Logo and Tagline

On March 28, 2016, Starz introduced a new logo and tagline, "Obsessable".

April 5, 2016: Rebranding and Channel Expansion

On April 5, 2016, Starz was rebranded, introducing a new logo stylized as "STARZ" in all uppercase. All Encore channels were added to the Starz moniker, increasing the Starz channel lineup to 14 channels. Its main channel was rebranded Starz Encore and carries reruns of Starz Originals in addition to films.

June 30, 2016: Lionsgate Agrees to Acquire Starz

On June 30, 2016, Lionsgate agreed to acquire Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion in cash and stock.

September 2016: Children's Programming Block

In September 2016, Starz brought back children's programming on a weekday morning block, providing programming from Nelvana, WIldBrain and The Jim Henson Company, including shows like Angela Anaconda, Sonic the Hedgehog, Liberty's Kids, Muppet Babies, and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss.

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2016: Acquisition by Lionsgate

After Starz's 2016 acquisition by Lionsgate, the network has moved to produce more original content, with president of programming Carmi Zlotnik calling Starz a "content pump" for Lionsgate.

2016: Netflix Assumed Disney Film Rights

In 2016, Netflix assumed the rights to most film releases by Walt Disney Studios from Starz, following a dispute over digital streaming rights.

2016: Logo Redesign

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

2016: Lions Gate Entertainment Acquisition

In 2016, despite being acquired by Lions Gate Entertainment, films released under the Lionsgate label did not air on Starz until 2022 due to an output deal with Epix.

2016: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Film Rights

Starz shows sub-runs 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) for films released before 2016.

September 2018: Household Availability

As of September 2018, Starz was available to approximately 28.517 million American households that had a subscription to a multichannel television provider.

2018: Starzplay Available in Pakistan

In 2018, Starzplay became available in Pakistan, as a joint venture between Cinepax, a cinema chain in Pakistan, and Lionsgate's StarzPlay Arabia.

April 2019: Criticism for Legal Demands

In April 2019, Starz faced criticism for sending legal demands to Twitter to remove links to a news article about piracy. Starz initially responded with DMCA complaints but later apologized and clarified that a third-party contractor, The Social Element, sent the invalid claims.

2019: Epix Output Deal Ended

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.

2019: Starzplay Launched in Europe and Brazil

In 2019, Starzplay was launched in Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

2019: End of Warren Miller Output Deal

In 2019, the Warren Miller output deal with Starz ended.

December 2020: Removal of Children's Block

In December 2020, Starz removed the children's programming block for reruns of "Pit Pony," a show Starz acquired.

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2020: Starzplay Launched in South America and Italy

In 2020, Starzplay became available in Argentina, Chile, and Italy.

2020: Warren Miller Films Rights

Starz shows sub-runs of theatrical films from Warren Miller Films for films released before 2020.

January 2021: Starzplay Arabia Deal with Abu Dhabi Media

In January 2021, Starzplay Arabia signed a deal with Abu Dhabi Media, allowing subscribers to watch UFC fights and events live.

March 2, 2021: Lionsgate Films on Starz

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.

April 8, 2021: Sony Agreement Not Renewed

On April 8, 2021, Sony announced that they would not be renewing their first-run film agreement with Starz, choosing instead to partner with Netflix.

July 15, 2021: Licensing Deal with Universal Pictures

On July 15, 2021, Starz reached a licensing deal with Universal Pictures for first-run movies 18 months after they streamed on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video respectively.

2021: Hulu Output Deal Ended

Films released under the Lionsgate label did not air on Starz until 2022 due to an output deal with Hulu until the end of 2021.

March 2022: Majority Stake Acquired in Starzplay Arabia

In March 2022, a consortium, led by e& (formerly known as Etisalat) and the Abu Dhabi-based investment group ADQ, acquired a 57% majority stake in Starzplay Arabia, in a deal valued at $420 million.

September 28, 2022: Lionsgate Announces Rebranding

On September 28, 2022, Lionsgate announced that the international Starzplay service would be rebranded as Lionsgate+ the following day in most countries.

November 2022: Lionsgate+ Ending Operations

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.

December 2022: Reruns Ended

In December 2022, reruns of Little Charmers ended on Starz

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2022: Lionsgate Films Aired on Starz

In 2022 films released under the Lionsgate label began to air on Starz after an output deal with Epix ended in 2019 and with Hulu at the end of 2021.

2022: New Logo after StarzPlay Renaming

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.

2022: First-Run Film Licensing Agreements

Since 2022, Starz and sister networks Starz Encore and MoviePlex maintain exclusive first-run film licensing agreements with Lionsgate Films, since 2022 and Universal Pictures after each films' 18 month window on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.

2022: Sony Pictures Entertainment Film Rights

Starz shows sub-runs of theatrical films from Sony Pictures Entertainment (including subsidiaries Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems, Destination Films, Triumph Films, and TriStar Pictures) for films released before 2022.

August 2023: Lionsgate+ Leaving Latin America

In August 2023, Lionsgate announced that Lionsgate+ would leave Latin America on December 31, 2023.

November 4, 2023: Lionsgate+ to Cease Operations in the UK

On November 4, 2023, Lionsgate announced that Lionsgate+ would cease its operations in the UK in early 2024.

December 11, 2023: Changed Lionsgate+ Latin America Shutdown Date

In November, the shutdown date for Lionsgate+ in Latin America was changed to December 11, 2023.

2023: Exclusive First-Run Film Licensing Agreements

As of 2023, Starz and sister networks Starz Encore and MoviePlex maintain exclusive first-run film licensing agreements with Summit Entertainment (since 2023) and Universal Pictures (since 2022, after each films' 18 month window on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video).

2023: Summit Entertainment Films on Starz

In 2023, Summit Entertainment films started airing on Starz after an output deal with HBO ended at the end of 2022.

December 31, 2023: Lionsgate+ Latin America Shutdown Date

Lionsgate announced that Lionsgate+ would leave Latin America on December 31, 2023.

February 9, 2024: Access to Lionsgate+ Through Amazon Prime Video

Customers who accessed Lionsgate+ through Amazon Prime Video would have continued access until February 9, 2024.

February 29, 2024: Shutdown Date Confirmed

On December 19, it was confirmed that the shutdown date for Lionsgate+ in the UK would be on February 29, 2024.

2024: Subscriber Count

As of 2024, Starz's video on demand streaming media service had 27.92 million paid subscribers.

2024: Lionsgate Renamed to Starz Entertainment

In 2024, Lionsgate was renamed to Starz Entertainment, 6 months after spinning off most of their businesses into a new company known as Lionsgate Studios.