STARZ is a movie-focused TV channel that began in 1995. In 2021, however, the service is much more than that. Here’s everything you need to know about STARZ and its on-demand streaming service as of 2021.
You can also browse what’s available on STARZ before you sign up. Use our free channel guide for STARZ to view what’s currently playing on STARZ and the service’s upcoming live content.
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What is STARZ On-Demand?
STARZ is a live TV and movie channel which first reached cable and satellite subscribers in 1994. STARZ is owned and operated by Lionsgate. In 2016, STARZ branched out from cable TV and launched a standalone, on-demand streaming service called STARZ Play. The company dropped the “Play” aspect in the US not long after and is now just known as “STARZ” in the US.
How Did STARZ Get Started?
STARZ launched its first live TV movies in 1994 at 8:00 PM EST. The channel was designed to compete on cable TV against HBO and SHOWTIME, both of which predated STARZ several years. Within 4 years, STARZ had over 7.5 million cable TV and satellite TV subscribers, although it struggled financially.
Related: STARZ Review 2020: An HBO Alternative Worth the Free Trial
Lionsgate acquired STARZ in 2016 for $4.4 billion. That same year, STARZ launched its on-demand streaming service.
Where Is STARZ Available?
STARZ is available in the US, or in over a dozen Middle Eastern countries under the name STARZ Play. You can add STARZ as an add-on channel to multiple live TV streaming services, including Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
Who Is STARZ For?
STARZ is for anyone looking for an HBO alternative. The service offers a vast library of 1,400 titles for just $8.99 per month. A large selection of the content comes from classic TV shows and movies, which makes STARZ an excellent choice for those who like TV shows and movies from the 90s and earlier. STARZ is also slowly growing its original content library, with current well-received titles including Power and Outlander.
What Kind of Content Is on STARZ?
STARZ has content that covers every type of genre. You can find drama, sci-fi, comedy, animation, and more. Any type of content you want is available through STARZ, and the service has a wide selection of top-rated movies and TV shows.
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming. He loves whittling down complex ideas within these areas that make decisions easier for buyers. When he’s not reading books with his son Miles and playing video games with the family, you can find him immersed in his growing collection of Euro-style board games.
