Overview
- STARZ issued a public warning on Wednesday that negotiations with Verizon remained unresolved and that Verizon could cut STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand and the STARZ app from FiOS imminently.
- If removed, FiOS customers would lose the ability to watch STARZ-exclusive series and films, including the Power universe, Outlander and P‑Valley, and access to STARZ’s film library through the provider.
- Verizon responded that it remains in active talks and called STARZ’s public warning an unnecessary pressure tactic that could drive higher rates for customers if the network demands increased fees.
- STARZ has shifted most of its business to streaming — about three-quarters of its subscribers — and FiOS customers can still sign up for STARZ directly online, a path distributors have promoted in past carriage disputes.
- Beyond immediate service loss for affected FiOS households, the standoff highlights changing leverage in carriage talks because streaming sign-ups can blunt the impact of blackouts and reduce the chance of a wider industry disruption.