Starz is returning to Verizon Fios after the two companies reached a new distribution agreement, restoring all Starz channels, Starz On Demand and access to the Starz app.
The deal resolves a carriage dispute that saw Starz go dark on Verizon Fios early this month after the companies failed to agree on new distribution terms. Details of the newly signed agreement were not released.
“We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement that brings Starz’s premium programming to Verizon Fios customers,” said Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks. “We remain committed to delivering bold storytelling for women and underrepresented audiences and to serving viewers who value our distinctive programming.”
The breakdown had included a public disagreement over pricing. At the beginning of the dispute, Verizon complained that Starz was “selling its service direct to consumers for as low as $2.50 a month” while “demanding Verizon customers pay double that amount for access to the same content.”
Starz rejected Verizon’s description of the negotiations, saying the company had “mischaracterized our position.” The terms that ultimately brought the blackout to an end remain undisclosed.
Starz Programming Returns Across Fios
The agreement restores a broad lineup of current, library and upcoming programming. That includes the complete Power Universe and the forthcoming Power: Origins, along with the drama Fightland.
Fios customers also regain access to every episode of Outlander and its prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Starz’s lineup additionally includes the upcoming season of the award-winning P-Valley, the current season of the crime drama S.W.A.T. Exiles and the thriller Tip Toe.
The company’s film offerings include Michael, featuring Jaafar Jackson; Shelter, featuring Jason Statham; and In the Grey, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill and Eiza González. The musical comedy Power Ballad, featuring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, is also among the listed titles.
No additional release dates for the upcoming series, seasons or films were provided as part of the deal announcement.
ShowBiz Take
The scope of the restoration is the most significant part of this agreement. Starz is not returning to Fios solely as a collection of traditional channels: the deal also brings back its on-demand catalog and app access, giving customers multiple ways to reach the network’s programming.
That breadth is especially relevant given the mix of established franchises and forthcoming projects involved. The full Power Universe sits alongside the upcoming Power: Origins, while the entire Outlander library is paired with prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Current and upcoming seasons, including S.W.A.T. Exiles and P-Valley, further expand what is covered by the renewed distribution relationship.
The dispute also highlighted the tension between direct-to-consumer pricing and the amount paid for programming delivered through a television provider. Verizon made that issue central to its public complaint, while Starz disputed the characterization. Although the companies did not reveal how they bridged that divide, the completed agreement means their disagreement will no longer keep Starz programming off Fios.
What Happens Next?
With the new distribution deal in place, Starz channels, on-demand programming and app access are restored to Verizon Fios. The companies have not disclosed the agreement’s financial or other business terms, leaving the specifics of their compromise private while viewers regain the Starz lineup.