Starz Returns to Verizon Fios After Weeks-Long Blackout

Starz is back on Verizon Fios after almost three weeks off the air.

All of its networks and on-demand services were restored on Tuesday, 20 October, after Starz and Verizon agreed a new contract, Starz said. The return ends an interruption that began in late September and left Fios viewers without the premium channels. Variety

The blackout started on a Wednesday night when talks over a carriage agreement broke down. That is the industry term for the deal that lets a pay-TV provider carry a channel and sets what it pays for it. The outage hit the main Starz channel, Starz on Demand and the Starz app for Fios subscribers. Deadline

Both sides now describe the new pact as a mutually beneficial agreement to bring Starz premium programming to Verizon Fios customers. Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, announced the restoration.

For fans, this means no extra steps. Shows, films and on-demand titles appear in their usual slots again on Fios boxes and in the app.

The dispute closed quickly by cable standards. Many carriage fights drag on for months. This one lasted from the final days of September to 20 October.

The deal lands as Starz reports steady streaming growth alongside softer revenue. It closed the October-December quarter with 12.7 million U.S. streaming subscribers, up 370,000 on the previous period, and 17.6 million subscribers across all platforms. Revenue for its most recent fiscal quarter was $307.9 million, down from $317.9 million.

Investors took the news calmly. Starz shares rose 13 cents, or 0.57%, to $22.93 in trading earlier Tuesday.