SANTA MONICA, Calif.,
Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today
notified millions of its shared Comcast Xfinity customers that they
will lose access to STARZ, STARZ Encore and the 15 other premium
channels in the STARZ family, as well as its entire lineup of
programming. Comcast alerted customers on its website Tuesday that
it would be replacing Starz in its television packages beginning
Dec. 10, 2019. This means subscribers
would no longer have access to STARZ's award-winning original
programming, including future episodes of the hit series "Power,"
which ranks #1 among African-American audiences, as well as
upcoming seasons of popular Starz series "Outlander" "American
Gods," "Vida" and its deep film and television catalogue without
paying an additional $12 a month to
receive the channel.
The network said in a statement:
"Starz has been working diligently to reach a fair market
distribution agreement with Comcast Xfinity in order to continue
providing our shared customers with access to our acclaimed line-up
of premium television content. However, months before our contract
deadline and in spite of our best efforts to engage in meaningful
discussions, Comcast has publicly stated their intention to drop
our networks from all packages and bundles, ignoring industry
precedent and demonstrating a total disregard for its customers,
communities, suppliers and other stakeholders.
"In response, we must now alert our millions of Comcast
subscribers that they will soon lose all 17 STARZ channels,
including STARZ and STARZ Encore along with our on-demand and
online services without receiving any refund from Comcast for the
loss of an irreplaceable premium programming lineup, including the
sixth season of the hit series 'Power,' which delivered the #1
series premiere in premium cable for the summer in total viewers
and continues to rank as the top-rated premium series among African
American audiences, upcoming seasons of fan-favorite series like
"Outlander," "Vida" and "American Gods," along with our deep
catalogue of over 7,500 distinct premium television episodes and
exclusive blockbuster films.
"STARZ subscribers recognize the value of our programming, which
elevates and captures diverse voices in storytelling that appeals
to women, African American, Latinx and other under-served
audiences. We are proud of the role we play in the lives of our
fans, the communities we serve and the overall media landscape, and
we remain committed to delivering our inclusive programming to
customers around the world.
"We continue to try to reach an agreement with Comcast that is
fair, reasonable and ensures our shared customers' continued access
to a lineup of premium television content that speaks to them. In
the meantime, however, we urge our customers to make it known to
Comcast that there is no replacement for STARZ and demand that they
continue to provide access to all of your favorite Starz shows or
demand a refund."
About Starz
Starz (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is
a leading global media and entertainment company that produces and
distributes premium streaming content to worldwide audiences across
subscription television platforms. Starz is home to the flagship
domestic STARZ® brand, STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay
TV channels and the associated on-demand and online services,
including the highly-rated STARZ app. With the launch of the
STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform and STARZ PLAY
Arabia, Starz is expanding its global footprint in a growing number
of territories. Sold through multichannel video distributors,
including cable operators, satellite television providers,
telecommunications companies, and other online and digital
platforms, Starz offers subscribers more than 7,500 distinct
premium television episodes and feature films, including STARZ
Original series, first-run movies and other popular
programming.
About Lionsgate
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content leader whose films television series, digital products and
linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences
around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment
leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in
interactive and location-based entertainment, video games, esports
and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content
initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television
library and delivered through a global sales and distribution
infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original,
daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on
the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's
worldwide consumer base.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Lauren Townsend
STARZ
424-204-4072
Lauren.townsend@starz.com
Peter Wilkes
Lionsgate
310-255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starz-alerts-comcast-xfinity-customers-of-pending-loss-of-starz-channels-300939798.html
SOURCE Starz