Starz channels went dark on Verizon Fios after distribution deal expired

Verizon said it was disappointed that Starz had chosen to remove its premium channels and called Starz's claims baseless. Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, said Verizon "has chosen to remove Starz" and had "mischaracterized our position."

The dispute

Starz warned on Wednesday that the channels could go dark. The distribution agreement expired at midnight ET, and the channels, Starz on Demand and the Starz app through Verizon Fios then went dark. Hoffman said Starz made "extensive efforts" to reach a renewal and preserve access. Verizon said Starz's public warning was "an unnecessary pressure tactic" and that it remained "actively engaged in constructive discussions."

Hoffman said Starz is an independent programmer dedicated to women and underrepresented audiences and that limiting access would reduce competition and consumer choice. Verizon said Starz is attempting to use public pressure to force higher rates on customers, which would drive up monthly bills, and that Starz sells its service direct to consumers for as low as $2.50 a month while demanding Verizon customers pay double that amount for the same content. Starz's statements did not include a rate.

Verizon said it remained open to reaching a "sensible resolution" to restore the channels and that Starz's claims were an attempt to distract from a fair contract negotiation.

Why Starz is exposed

Starz ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers across its platforms, including 12.7 million U.S. streaming customers, up 370,000 from the previous period. Those totals no longer include Canadian customers after Starz changed from a joint venture with Bell Media to a content licensing agreement. Streaming accounts for about three-quarters of the subscriber base, and Starz has since stopped disclosing subscriber counts. Starz has forecast positive year-over-year streaming revenue growth in fiscal 2026.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Starz reported a net loss of $20.7 million, narrower than $31.8 million a year earlier, on $322.8 million in revenue. It reported a loss per share of $1.24, compared with an 85 cent loss forecast by analysts, according to LSEG data cited by Variety.

Fios subscribers who still want Starz can sign up for the streaming service directly, which is not affected by the dispute. Deadline reported that distributors in past carriage fights have pointed customers toward the programmer's streaming service and that the streaming-heavy mix makes this blackout less likely to rattle the wider industry than carriage fights involving broad programmers such as Disney.

The channels remain unavailable while the companies trade public statements.