What is Starz? Everything you need to know about the premium streamer

What is Starz? There are many streaming options that seem to be increasing with each passing year. The streaming wars have made their move. While Netflix was once the top priority, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and HBO Max, among others, have stepped in to give the mix a little competition.

And there are also smaller competitors. Some are new players, others are traditional cable networks looking to diversify and offer cheaper libraries to round out your streaming needs. This is where Starz comes in. If you’re new to Starz and aren’t sure it’s worth it, keep reading what you need to know about the premium cable net cum streaming website.

Starz is a premium cable and satellite television network operated by Lionsgate. In addition to a 24-hour channel, it offers a traditional on-demand subscription channel and, from 2016, an all-inclusive streaming app. Starz makes all content available to both channel subscribers and streaming-only subscribers.

And that premium label means the streamer has an impressive rotating library of feature films, including some new releases, as well as its own exclusive Prestige series.

With so many streaming sites competing for your monthly payments, it’s fair to ask if you really want to add Starz to your lineup. So let’s take a look at how the service works.

How do you register?

There are currently several ways to become a Starz subscriber. You can get it through your cable or satellite provider if you want the traditional channel experience.

You can also sign up online and watch it on your laptop or download a standalone app. To do this, click the button below.

Another popular option is to purchase Starz as an additional channel for Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft, Roku, Samsung TV, Sling or Sprint.

What does Starz cost?

Starz prices vary based on what part of the service you want and what cable or satellite providers are available to you. Different providers offer different tariffs and monthly subscription fees. And Starz can be bundled into existing packages or offered as an add-on.

The Starz app, with which you have unlimited access to all Starz content, is included in your TV subscription.

However, if you’re just into the life of cable cutting or just don’t want any more channels, the app alone costs $ 8.99 per month.

Can you get Starz for free?

If you subscribe to Starz through your cable or satellite provider, this is good news! You get the Starz app at no additional cost and can stream to your heart’s content. It’s not really free because you pay for the TV service, but the app doesn’t represent a new cost.

If you’re looking for a free subscription for streaming only, the answer might disappoint you a little. The standard free trial is pretty much your only legal option. For example, there is no ad-supported free version. Starz is premium from top to bottom, and all you have to do is pay for it.

The Starz free trial only lasts seven days. You must register for the service, provide billing information, and then cancel at any time before the seven-day trial period ends. Sign up now using the button below.

Starz runs on almost any screen, so you can subscribe without worrying about compatibility. Supported devices are:

Minimum system and internet requirements

The minimum bandwidth for streaming Starz content is 2.5Mbps, but 6Mbps is recommended for the best experience.

Other minimum requirements depend on the device of your choice. If you’re using a Kindle Fire tablet, you’ll need a fourth generation or later device.

Android users need a fifth generation or newer for phones and tablets. For Android TVs, make sure you’re using Nexus Player, NVIDIA Shield, or Razer Forge. Android TV should also be on all 5th generation or higher Sony Smart TVs. In addition to Sony, selected Samsung Smart TVs will also support Starz from 2014 to 2018.

On the Apple side, you’ll need a third or fourth generation Apple TV, while your iPhone, iPad, and iPod will need to be running iOS 10.3 or later. Or if you prefer Roku make sure you are working with the second generation or newer.

If you’re watching Starz on a computer, make sure you’re running Windows 10 or later or Apple OSX 10.5.7 or later with a current version of Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Can you download Starz content?

If you ever want to use your subscription without access to a stable internet connection, you can download content to your device.

Most films and series are available for download. Tap the download icon, which looks like an arrow on an inbox, and you’re done. Downloaded files and download progress bars are displayed on the My List tab. If you don’t see a download icon, it is because the title you want is usually not available due to licensing agreements.

While you are free to watch downloaded titles at your leisure, there are some limitations.

Some international viewing restrictions restrict where you can see outside of the United States. And downloads are automatically deleted after two weeks or when the title is removed from the license window.

Starz is an American service, so the details of this article apply to US customers only.

However, international customers have options. Check your cable and satellite providers for options and specials. If you’d like to sign up for a subscription for streaming only, see if Starz is available when it’s available either as a standalone service or as an add-on to Amazon, Google, Apple TV, or exclusive local services like Crave in Canada.

Starz has a wide variety of titles to choose from, with films and TV series in every genre and for all ages.

If you just want the streaming service with no cable and satellite channels, you won’t notice a difference as the content available is the same. In addition, everything in the streaming app goes live on the same day it is broadcast. You won’t miss anything or fall behind.

Learn more: The best new films on Starz

The Starz film library

Starz has stayed true to its beginnings in the 1990s as a film channel and part of Encore, and continues to host a wide variety of Hollywood and international films. Your library contains some newer versions. Current offers released since 2019 include:

You can also catch up with your favorite classics in many genres on Starz. These include:

Starz originals

On the TV side, Starz offers a wide range of original programs. As a premium network, you can expect some level of prestige with big names and high production value. The classics still available include the comedy series Party Down, the pirate story Black Sails and the Roman epic Spartacus.

Popular current titles are:

Starz is also a batsman in the real crime arena, with tons of acclaimed shows. These include the new and trendy Confronting a Serial Killer and the recently celebrated cult exposé Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.

You’ll also find some third-party titles such as FX Legal Drama Damages and the BBC’s cult crime series Luther.

Learn more: The best Starz TV shows you can stream right now

Netflix premium subscriptions have grown steadily and now cost nearly $ 20 a month. A subscription of $ 8.99 is therefore quite welcome in the increasingly expensive streaming arena.

The service is limited, however, and for my money, it’s more of an addition to your existing subscriptions, so you get some additional viewing options, many of which are exclusive to Starz.

You don’t get the variety of HBO Max, Amazon Prime or Netflix, each of which offers extensive libraries of films and TV series from different studios and networks as well as their own originals. But you get a solid amount of prestige series and movies that you won’t find anywhere else.

With a crowded field that includes the above services as well as Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Mubi, Peacock, Shudder, Britbox, the Criterion Channel, and more new options seemingly daily, Starz is sure to be a more affordable premium option like Epix to order Diversify your streaming ecosystem.

Other FAQs

Q: is Starz available in 4K?
A: Some Starz titles can be streamed in 4K, but not all.

Q: Does Starz have ads?
A: As a premium cable and satellite channel, Starz has no advertising. The same applies to the streaming service. Unlike free streamers like Tubi and Pluto TV, Starz switches straight to the content you’re watching without commercial breaks.

Q: Can I see Starz on my Roku device?
A: Yes, Starz is compatible with Roku (second generation or higher). For more information on device compatibility, see the system requirements section above.