Verizon Fios homes can tune back into Starz. The programmer confirmed Tuesday that all Starz networks and on-demand services are back on the platform after a carriage standoff that began in late September.
The restoration covers the premium slate: originals such as Outlander, Fightland and the Power franchise, plus films including Michael, Shelter, In The Grey and Power Ballad.
What a carriage blackout costs
Carriage disputes are not just contract noise. For media planners, a blackout is a reach interruption. Inventory bought against Fios-delivered Starz stops reaching viewers, and makegoods or rebates only work if the audit catches them. The return to Fios restores a premium pay-TV audience and gives advertisers a chance to re-examine delivery against original plans.
Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, called the deal a “mutually beneficial agreement” and said the network remains focused on “bold storytelling for women and underrepresented audiences.”
For Starz, the deal matters beyond affiliate fees. Linear carriage remains a promotion and sampling window for a service that is increasingly judged by its streaming subscriber count.
The streaming pivot and the revenue tension
Starz has been shifting its business toward streaming, and the subscriber line shows momentum. The company finished the October–December quarter with 12.7 million U.S. streaming subscribers, up 370,000 from the previous period, and 17.6 million across all platforms.
The revenue line is more complicated. Starz posted $307.9 million in its most recent fiscal quarter, down from $317.9 million. With third-quarter results due Thursday, October 29, the question is whether streaming subscriptions can offset the structural decline in linear fees and advertising.
Why this matters for screen business readers
Linear exposure still feeds the streaming funnel. When a network disappears from a major distributor, it loses not only affiliate and ad revenue but also the tune-in and brand sampling that drives app downloads and retention. For Starz, the Fios restoration reconnects that loop.
What to watch next
- Re-audit Fios-delivered reach once service is restored; do not assume pre-blackout delivery has snapped back.
- Track the carriage renewal calendar for other premium networks: the next dispute can hit different dayparts and demos.
- Watch the October 29 print for subscriber growth versus revenue, plus any guidance on the Fios deal’s economics.
Shares of Starz rose 13 cents, or 0.57%, to $22.93 in early trading after the news.
Source: Variety
