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Starz is a premium streaming network focused on adult‑skewing originals and first‑pay Lionsgate films. In the U.S., you can subscribe directly for $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year (≈$6.25 per month effective; ~37% savings vs. paying monthly), as listed on the STARZ subscribe page [pricing and offers change]. Starz is also widely sold as a premium add‑on you watch inside other apps, including Prime Video Channels, Hulu, Apple TV Channels, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo, Fubo, and DIRECTV STREAM. Outside the U.S., look for the service under the Lionsgate+ brand in select countries (Lionsgate+).
Starz Service In A Nutshell
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How We Evaluated Starz
We assessed STARZ across two common paths: subscribing directly in the STARZ app/site and buying it as a premium add‑on through major aggregators. Direct pricing is $9.99/month or $74.99/year on starz.com, while most partners list STARZ at about $9.99/month (Hulu, YouTube TV, Philo) and Sling commonly at $9/month; promotions and trials vary by platform and time (Hulu; YouTube TV; Philo; Sling). We also considered where you actually watch (inside the host app for Channels-style subscriptions like Prime Video Channels and Apple TV Channels) and how linear channels/on-demand work on live TV bundles (YouTube TV; Fubo; DIRECTV STREAM). Internationally, the service operates as Lionsgate+ with country‑specific pricing.
To put value in context, we factored 2025 market dynamics—ad‑supported growth, rebundling/aggregation, and price sensitivity—which influence whether STARZ is best as a standalone subscription or an add‑on in your primary app. Industry sources highlight the shift toward ad tiers and bundles to manage churn and cost (Antenna; Deloitte Digital Media Trends; PwC E&M Outlook).
Starz vs. Other Video Streaming Services
Starz Key Considerations
Loaded with blockbusters
STARZ leans into a focused slate—adult‑targeted originals and first‑pay Lionsgate features—positioning it as a value‑priced, ad‑free complement to broader four‑quadrant services. Versus majors that raised ad‑free prices and expanded ad tiers in 2024–2025, STARZ competes on a lower monthly headline price and franchise depth (cross‑service pricing tracker). This makes it a strong secondary pick if you mainly want crime sagas, period epics, and relationship‑driven dramas, with fresh films rotating in the first pay window (pricing context).
Curation also matters: viewers can browse within focused genres and franchise hubs (e.g., the Power Universe, BMF, Outlander), which helps discovery and binge paths compared with sprawling mega‑catalogs (Power universe; BMF; Outlander prequel).
Multiple subscription options
Direct subscribers pay $9.99/month or $74.99/year on STARZ. If you prefer everything in one app, add STARZ via Prime Video Channels, Hulu, or Apple TV Channels—most price the add‑on at $9.99/month. Live TV bundles such as YouTube TV, Sling, Philo, Fubo, and DIRECTV STREAM also offer STARZ—useful if you want linear channels and DVR inside one interface. Note: Channels‑style subscriptions are typically watched inside the host app and may not provide separate STARZ app sign‑in; live‑TV add‑ons include linear feeds and on‑demand within that provider’s app (Apple TV Channels; YouTube TV Help).
For long‑term value, the direct annual plan (~$6.25/month effective) is ~37% cheaper than 12 months at $9.99. If you’re price‑sensitive and flexible, compare seasonal promos on STARZ and your preferred partner; introductory discounts and trials change frequently (renewals usually revert to standard rates).
High-quality viewing
STARZ publicly documents HD streaming (up to 1080p) with 5.1 surround on supported devices and offline downloads; it does not advertise broad 4K/HDR or Atmos in consumer help pages (STARZ Help Center). Video and audio features follow the app you use: if you subscribe through a third party, playback capabilities and limits depend on that provider. Across the industry, services are adopting newer codecs and delivery tech (e.g., AV1 on TVs, LL‑HLS, HTTP/3) to improve quality and startup times, and some offer “enhanced 1080p” profiles for better HD (AV1 on TVs; Apple HLS spec; HTTP/3 adoption). Expect STARZ to play best on modern devices and solid connections; if you prioritize HDR/4K today, confirm your expectations before subscribing.
Original content
STARZ continues to invest in franchise‑led series and book‑based dramas: Power Book II: Ghost concludes with Season 4 across 2024–2025, while prequel Power: Origins has been ordered; Power Book III: Raising Kanan is renewed for Season 5; BMF is renewed for Season 4; Spartacus: House of Ashur revives legacy IP; new adaptations include The Hunting Wives and Three Women (premiering in 2025). The Outlander universe expands with prequel Blood of My Blood in production. Taken together, this franchise‑first approach keeps a steady cadence to reduce churn.
The Bottom Line
For U.S. viewers who want premium dramas and fresh Lionsgate films without ads, STARZ is a competitively priced add‑on or standalone buy at $9.99/month—or better value on the $74.99 annual plan (STARZ). In a 2025 market defined by ad‑tier growth, rebundling, and price sensitivity, STARZ works best as a supplemental channel inside the app you already use—or as a discounted annual direct subscription (Antenna; Deloitte; PwC). Recent CX research shows users value speed, ease, and discovery; before you commit, confirm device support and playback expectations on your platform of choice and review any intro promo’s renewal rate (Zendesk CX Trends; Salesforce: Connected Customer). Outside the U.S., look for the service as Lionsgate+.
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