Starz warns Verizon FiOS customers it could lose its channels in carriage dispute
Starz says it may go dark on Verizon FiOS unless a distribution deal is reached soon. Streaming access is not affected.
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The story, neutrally told
Starz issued a statement warning that it could lose carriage on Verizon FiOS, putting all of its channels, Starz on Demand and the Starz app at risk. DeadlineN “warning of the potential loss of all of its channels, Starz on Demand and the Starz app through Verizon FiOs” Read at Deadline ↗ Alison Hoffman, President of Starz Networks, said the company has been negotiating in good faith and that viewers should be prepared for Verizon to remove Starz unless an agreement is reached imminently. DeadlineN “Unless an agreement is reached imminently, our viewers should be prepared for Verizon to remove Starz.” Read at Deadline ↗ Screen RantN “Unless an agreement is reached imminently, our viewers should be prepared for Verizon to remove Starz.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Hoffman described Starz as an independent programmer dedicated to women and underrepresented audiences, and said limiting access would reduce competition and consumer choice. DeadlineN “Limiting access to Starz would reduce competition and consumer choice.” Read at Deadline ↗
Deadline reported that Starz ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers and no longer reports subscriber numbers, and that its streaming service accounts for about three-quarters of its subscriber base. DeadlineN “Starz ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers and is also no longer reporting subscriber numbers.” Read at Deadline ↗ FiOS customers can still sign up for Starz on streaming, which the dispute does not affect, and Deadline said this makes the dispute less likely to rattle the broader industry. DeadlineN “FiOS customers can sign up for Starz on streaming, which is not affected by the current dispute.” Read at Deadline ↗ Screen Rant noted the network's shows include Outlander, Power Book IV: Force and S.W.A.T. Exiles, and said it would update the story. Screen RantN “The network is home to shows including Outlander, Power Book IV: Force, and S.W.A.T. Exiles.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
The coverage includes no statement from Verizon, and no deadline for a deal has been reported. DeadlineN “Starz just issued a statement on the status of its negotiations with Verizon” Read at Deadline ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Deadline reports the Starz statement and puts it in industry context, judging the dispute less likely to rattle the industry. Screen Rant uses a more dramatic headline about millions of viewers and relays Deadline's report.
- Emphasis
- Starz's warning and quote; Deadline adds subscriber figures and the streaming alternative; Screen Rant adds the show titles.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet quotes Verizon or gives a deadline. Screen Rant leaves out that streaming access is unaffected.
- Charged language
- “Major Streamer Could Be Shutting Down For Millions”
- For example
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“That dynamic makes the current dispute less likely to rattle the broader industry” — Deadline
“A major streaming platform could go dark for millions on Verizon FiOS” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Starz warned that Verizon could remove its channels, on-demand content and app from FiOS.
- The warning came from Starz Networks President Alison Hoffman and said an agreement was needed imminently.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Starz Warns it May Go Dark On Verizon FiOS Amid Carriage Dispute
Neutral Trade-press report built on the Starz statement, with context on subscribers and the streaming workaround.
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Major Streamer Could Be Shutting Down For Millions Amid Major Dispute
Alarmist Short follow-up on Deadline's report with a headline stressing a shutdown for millions.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 1 Oct 00:36 First DeadlineN Starz Warns it May Go Dark On Verizon FiOS Amid Carriage Dispute
- 1 Oct 02:01 +1h 25m Screen RantN Major Streamer Could Be Shutting Down For Millions Amid Major Dispute
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.