Starz and Verizon Fios Talks Stall, Threatening Blackouts Tonight

Starz has warned that its channel could disappear from Verizon Fios networks as early as tonight, following a stalemate in licensing negotiations. The current agreement between the two companies is set to expire at midnight Eastern Time, leaving millions of subscribers at risk of losing access to the premium service.

In a joint exchange of statements, both parties assigned blame for the potential disruption. Starz asserted that it has been negotiating in good faith but cautioned that viewers should prepare for a removal unless a deal is reached immediately. Conversely, Verizon characterized Starz’s public warnings as an unnecessary pressure tactic designed to drive up costs for families.

Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, emphasized the network’s role in promoting diverse content for women and underrepresented audiences. She argued that limiting access to Starz would harm competition in the media marketplace and reduce consumer choice. “Unless an agreement is reached imminently, our viewers should be prepared for Verizon to remove Starz,” Hoffman stated, noting that the threat extends to the Starz app and on-demand library as well.

Verizon pushed back against these claims, expressing disappointment that Starz chose to publicly signal a potential channel removal while discussions were still active. The telecommunications giant argued that Starz is attempting to use public pressure to force higher carriage rates, which would directly increase monthly bills for customers. Verizon maintained that it remains committed to offering a diverse lineup while protecting viewers from unjustified price hikes.

The dispute occurs as Starz continues to shift its business model toward streaming. The company recently reported strong quarterly results, closing the October-to-December period with 12.7 million U.S. streaming subscribers, an increase of 370,000 from the prior quarter. Total subscribers across all platforms now stand at 17.6 million.