Starz Reports Gains in Streaming Subscribers Despite Declines in Traditional TV

Starz, following its recent separation from Lionsgate, reported a mixed bag of results for the fourth quarter of 2025. While the network experienced a notable increase in its streaming subscriber base, it faced a decline in traditional linear TV viewership.

Streaming Subscriber Growth

In the financial quarter ending December 31, 2025, Starz added 370,000 subscribers to its U.S. over-the-top (OTT) platform, bringing its total streaming customer base to 12.66 million. This marks a positive trend for the network, which has been focusing on bolstering its digital presence. The growth in OTT subscribers is attributed in part to the popularity of series such as the third season of Power Book IV: Force and the debut season of Spartacus: House of Ashur.

Challenges in Traditional TV

Conversely, the company’s linear TV subscriber count decreased by 200,000, ending the quarter with 4.97 million U.S. customers. The shift away from traditional TV is expected, as more viewers migrate to streaming options. Furthermore, Starz has ceased its Canadian linear TV operations, opting instead for a content licensing agreement with Bell Canada, a move intended to redirect resources towards original content creation.

Financial Highlights and Strategic Outlook

Starz’s overall subscriber count fell to 17.63 million, down from 19.2 million in the previous quarter. The company’s total revenue for the fourth quarter was $322.8 million, a decrease from $344.5 million a year earlier. OTT revenue also declined to $210.3 million from $239 million, while revenue from linear and other sources rose to $112.5 million from $105.5 million in the same period of 2024. The company managed to narrow its net loss to $20.7 million, compared to a $31.8 million loss the previous year.

Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch expressed optimism about the company’s future, emphasizing the benefits of operating independently. He stated,

“We exceeded all our financial guidance in 2025 and expect 2026 to be a positive financial inflection point for the company as we enter the year with record-high OTT subscribers and a balance sheet that outperformed our deleveraging expectations.”

Looking Forward

Hirsch highlighted Starz’s commitment to a disciplined investment strategy and an efficient operating model. With a strong lineup of programming, the company aims to enhance its OTT revenue, improve profitability, and increase free cash flow. This strategic focus is designed to align with long-term growth targets, positioning Starz to better compete in the evolving media landscape.

As Starz transitions from its roots in traditional TV to a more robust digital presence, it faces the challenge of maintaining momentum in OTT growth while addressing the decline in linear viewers. The network’s ability to innovate and adapt to market demands will be crucial to its success in an increasingly competitive streaming market.

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com