The premium network Starz has gone dark on Verizon Fios after the two sides failed to reach a new distribution agreement. The blackout covers Starz channels, Starz on Demand and the Starz app through Fios, cutting off the linear path for subscribers who watched Starz through Verizon’s TV lineup.
Each side blames the other
Starz Networks President Alison Hoffman said customers have lost access because no deal was reached, and argued that Verizon “has chosen to remove Starz.” She said Verizon mischaracterized Starz’s position and had been unproductive in discussions. Verizon countered that Starz removed its own premium channels, and said it remains open to a sensible resolution.
The price gap is now the story
Verizon has made retail versus wholesale pricing the key dispute. It says Starz sells its service direct to consumers for as low as $2.50 a month, but is demanding Fios customers pay double that for the same content. Verizon said its focus is on protecting customers and delivering fair value, while calling Starz’s claims a distraction.
Why this is not a traditional blackout
Starz is not a live-sports or broadcast programmer. It ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers, and its streaming service accounts for roughly three-quarters of the base. Fios customers can still sign up for Starz on streaming, which is unaffected by the dispute. In past carriage battles, distributors have pointed viewers to the programmer’s direct streaming product instead of holding them on the linear bundle.
That changes the leverage. Starz has an alternative route to subscribers, but Verizon can also argue that its customers should not pay a premium through the bundle when the direct price is lower.
What the industry should watch
- How many Fios subscribers move to Starz streaming instead of waiting for a deal.
- Whether either side narrows the gap between direct and wholesale pricing in negotiations.
- Whether Starz’s pitch as a programmer for women and underrepresented audiences becomes a public argument.
For media planners and entertainment marketers, the immediate step is to audit any Starz linear inventory that depended on Fios coverage and map direct-to-consumer alternatives. The blackout is disruptive, but with a streaming app in the market, the more consequential question is which company keeps the customer relationship when the linear feed is gone.
Source: Deadline
