Who Owns STARZ?

STARZ was founded in 1994 by Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI), one of the largest cable operators in the United States, as a premium cable movie channel. The network launched as a competitor to HBO and Showtime, offering commercial-free movies and original programming to cable subscribers. The name STARZ (with a Z) was chosen to differentiate the brand and give it a distinctive identity in the premium cable market.

In 1999, AT&T acquired TCI as part of its strategy to enter the cable television market, and STARZ became part of AT&T's cable portfolio. AT&T later spun off its cable assets to form Comcast, but STARZ was separated from this transaction. Liberty Media, controlled by media mogul John Malone, acquired STARZ in 2005 for approximately $7.9 billion as part of a broader cable and media investment strategy.

Under Liberty Media's ownership, STARZ invested significantly in original programming, launching acclaimed series including Spartacus (2010), Outlander (2014), and Power (2014). These original series helped STARZ build a distinct identity beyond its movie library and attracted subscribers who wanted exclusive content. Outlander in particular became a global phenomenon with a passionate international fan base.

STARZ also launched its streaming service (initially called STARZ Play, later renamed STARZ) to compete in the growing digital streaming market. The streaming service allowed subscribers to access STARZ content on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, expanding beyond traditional cable distribution.

In 2016, Lionsgate acquired STARZ for approximately $4.4 billion, combining Lionsgate's film and television production capabilities with STARZ's premium cable network and streaming platform. The acquisition was strategic for Lionsgate, which had been primarily a production company and wanted to add a distribution platform to its business.

Under Lionsgate's ownership, STARZ has continued to develop original programming and expand its streaming service internationally through STARZPLAY, which operates in Latin America, Europe, and other markets. The international expansion has been a key growth driver as the domestic cable market faces ongoing subscriber losses due to cord-cutting.