Starz Warns it May Go Dark On Verizon FiOS Amid Carriage Dispute
Developing story first seen 6 hours ago
Starz has warned that Verizon FiOS could soon remove its channels and related services unless the companies reach a distribution agreement. Starz says the potential loss would limit competition and viewer choice, while FiOS customers’ access to Starz through streaming would remain unaffected.
Starz ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers but no longer reports subscriber numbers; about three-quarters of its subscribers use its streaming service. The article says this may make the dispute less disruptive across the industry than conflicts involving larger entertainment programmers, as FiOS customers can subscribe to Starz through streaming platforms.
- Starz says Verizon FiOS may drop its channels without a deal.
- Its streaming service would remain available to FiOS customers.
- About three-quarters of Starz subscribers use streaming.
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Starz is an entertainment company whose channels carry films and television programmes. It also sells access to its programmes through a streaming service, which viewers can use over the internet.
Verizon FiOS is a television and internet service used by households in parts of the United States. Starz and FiOS must agree on the terms for FiOS to include Starz channels in its TV packages.
The dispute matters to FiOS customers who watch Starz through their television package, as their access could be affected if the channels are removed. Starz streaming subscriptions would still be available, including to FiOS customers.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Starz can argue that keeping its channels and related services on FiOS gives customers more ways to watch and helps preserve competition among distributors. A fair agreement should recognise the value of its programming and avoid leaving FiOS viewers with fewer options, even if streaming access remains available.
The case against
Verizon FiOS can argue that it must weigh Starz’s proposed terms against what its customers are willing to pay and the value of the service within its channel offering. Since most Starz subscribers use streaming and FiOS customers could still access Starz that way, the loss of its linear channels may be manageable if the companies cannot reach terms that work for FiOS customers.
Full account
Tensions have intensified between the premium entertainment network Starz and telecommunications provider Verizon regarding their distribution agreement for the FiOS platform. Starz has issued a formal warning that it may lose access to its linear channels, on-demand service and dedicated application on FiOS should negotiations between the two parties fail to produce a settlement within an imminent timeframe.
Starz's management has framed the dispute as a matter of competitive necessity and consumer choice. The company positions itself as an independent media entity dedicated to serving underrepresented audiences, particularly women, and argues that its removal from Verizon's platform would diminish the diversity of programming available to consumers and reduce competitive alternatives to content controlled by major conglomerates. In statements, Starz's president emphasised the company's commitment to good-faith negotiation whilst warning that unless progress materialises rapidly, viewers should anticipate service disruption.
Verizon has responded with a notably contrasting characterisation of the situation. The carrier accused Starz of employing public warnings as a pressure tactic to coerce higher licensing fees and suggested this approach is counterproductive to constructive negotiations. Verizon stated it remains actively engaged in discussions and maintains commitment to offering diverse programming whilst protecting subscribers from cost escalation. The company contended that Starz is leveraging public concern about channel removal to justify demanding rate increases that would ultimately raise customer bills.
Contextually, Starz has undergone significant business restructuring in recent years, pivoting its model increasingly towards direct-to-consumer streaming rather than traditional television distribution. The company closed its most recent quarter with approximately 12.7 million domestic streaming subscribers, representing growth of 370,000 customers, with a global footprint totalling 17.6 million subscribers across all platforms. This fundamental shift distinguishes the current dispute from carriage conflicts involving networks dependent upon traditional broadcast distribution or carrying live sports and news. Notably, FiOS customers retain independent access to Starz's content through standalone subscription services, a factor which may limit the broader industry ramifications compared to disputes involving more traditionally-oriented programmers.
Where outlets differ
Source 2 establishes an immediate midnight deadline for the expiring agreement; Source 1 uses indefinite language ('imminently') without specifying timing.
Source 2 includes Verizon's detailed counter-statement accusing Starz of using pressure tactics and attempting to force price increases; Source 1 omits Verizon's perspective entirely.
Source 2 emphasises quarterly subscriber growth metrics (370,000 additions); Source 1 provides only aggregate subscriber totals without growth data.
Source 1 contextualises the dispute as comparatively lower-risk to the broader industry given Starz's streaming-dominant model; Source 2 treats it as an urgent immediate crisis.
Source 1 emphasises Starz's role in competitive diversity and marketplace alternatives; Source 2 balances this against Verizon's concerns regarding cost escalation and customer protection.
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