Is Xfinity Dropping Starz?
Starz is a leading premium cable network brand that has been around for several years now and features original shows such as Outlander, Power, American Gods, and Gaslit. It also contains newly released big movies soon after they are out of the theaters. Therefore, Xfinity users who have tuned in to Starz may be asking themselves if the cable network is next in line to be removed from the provider’s list of channels.
The Short Answer
Currently, there are no public announcements that Comcast-owned Xfinity plans to remove Starz as a part of its service offerings. However, on the official website of Xfinity, the company continues to provide this channel as one of its offerings together with other Starz options such as Starz Encore. It can be included in the package for an additional monthly cost to the subscribers. But rights negotiations occur quite often in the cable industry so it might change in the future if they are unable to come up with a deal.
Understanding the Recent Developments between Providers and Networks
Companies in the pay-TV industry such as Xfinity often have to engage in contract renewals with content providers like Starz to continue offering specific networks. Sometimes such talks fail over issues of money and yes, networks do get removed for a while. For instance, HBO and Dish Network could not agree on a renewal agreement in 2018, and this saw HBO go black for several days in Dish Network. The same situation was witnessed between Dish and Univision in the recent past due to disagreements over rate hikes.
At the moment, Xfinity and Starz have not had any public disagreements regarding their business relations. However, given the changes in the pay-TV market due to the emergence of streaming, many industry observers believe that channel carriage disputes may increase because media companies seek to mitigate the impact of cord-cutting by increasing rates. It is quite probable that one could happen between Comcast/Xfinity and Starz’s owner Lionsgate at some stage.
Here, it is crucial to ask: Why might Xfinity drop Starz?
Should Xfinity decide to pull out of airing Starz in the future over a contract dispute, it would more than likely be due to a monetary disagreement. While more and more consumers turn to platforms like Netflix and Hulu for their video needs, traditional cable providers such as Xfinity are seeing their subscriber numbers dwindle. However, many still have to bear steady or even rising costs to bear the programming cable networks bring.
At some point, pay-TV providers may disregard some channels as not very valuable at the increasing license fees any longer, including Starz that have little in terms of sports programming. In turn, they may let some carriage contracts expire if the network is unwilling to reduce its rates. That is exactly what happened between Dish Network and Univision recently, which led to the shutting down of over 60 channels.
Starz also has most of its content available to the public through the Starz streaming application. Therefore, Xfinity may feel relieved not to maintain the linear Starz channel in the future if its clients can watch Starz shows through streaming.
Why Xfinity Might Keep Starz
That said, Xfinity will also have incentives to keep popular channels like Starz in its lineup alongside streaming options: That said, Xfinity will also have incentives to keep popular channels like Starz in its lineup alongside streaming options:
1. Originals – All the Starz original series and movies are aired on the cable channel but are not available on the app. Xfinity will wish to continue advertising one-off programs that are available only via the service.
2. Value proposition – Adding Starz and another premium channel with cable makes the service seem more appealing as opposed to standalone streaming services. This in turn means more value for the money for subscribers.
3. Advertising privileges – Xfinity may be able to negotiate with Starz to offer cheaper subscription rates or longer free trials to coax customers away from other services.
4. Viewer backlash – Disabling any major network is always a raw deal to some extent as at least one subscriber misses his or her favorite shows. Angry viewers are more likely to cut the cord if the frequency of the anger is spread out over a more significant period.
Starz is a leading premium cable network brand that has been around for several years now and features original shows such as Outlander, Power, American Gods, and Gaslit. It also contains newly released big movies soon after they are out of the theaters. Therefore, Xfinity users who have tuned in to Starz may be asking themselves if the cable network is next in line to be removed from the provider’s list of channels.
The Short Answer
Currently, there are no public announcements that Comcast-owned Xfinity plans to remove Starz as a part of its service offerings. However, on the official website of Xfinity, the company continues to provide this channel as one of its offerings together with other Starz options such as Starz Encore. It can be included in the package for an additional monthly cost to the subscribers. But rights negotiations occur quite often in the cable industry so it might change in the future if they are unable to come up with a deal.
Understanding the Recent Developments between Providers and Networks
Companies in the pay-TV industry such as Xfinity often have to engage in contract renewals with content providers like Starz to continue offering specific networks. Sometimes such talks fail over issues of money and yes, networks do get removed for a while. For instance, HBO and Dish Network could not agree on a renewal agreement in 2018, and this saw HBO go black for several days in Dish Network. The same situation was witnessed between Dish and Univision in the recent past due to disagreements over rate hikes.
At the moment, Xfinity and Starz have not had any public disagreements regarding their business relations. However, given the changes in the pay-TV market due to the emergence of streaming, many industry observers believe that channel carriage disputes may increase because media companies seek to mitigate the impact of cord-cutting by increasing rates. It is quite probable that one could happen between Comcast/Xfinity and Starz’s owner Lionsgate at some stage.
Here, it is crucial to ask: Why might Xfinity drop Starz?
Should Xfinity decide to pull out of airing Starz in the future over a contract dispute, it would more than likely be due to a monetary disagreement. While more and more consumers turn to platforms like Netflix and Hulu for their video needs, traditional cable providers such as Xfinity are seeing their subscriber numbers dwindle. However, many still have to bear steady or even rising costs to bear the programming cable networks bring.
At some point, pay-TV providers may disregard some channels as not very valuable at the increasing license fees any longer, including Starz that have little in terms of sports programming. In turn, they may let some carriage contracts expire if the network is unwilling to reduce its rates. That is exactly what happened between Dish Network and Univision recently, which led to the shutting down of over 60 channels.
Starz also has most of its content available to the public through the Starz streaming application. Therefore, Xfinity may feel relieved not to maintain the linear Starz channel in the future if its clients can watch Starz shows through streaming.
Why Xfinity Might Keep Starz
That said, Xfinity will also have incentives to keep popular channels like Starz in its lineup alongside streaming options
1. Originals – All the Starz original series and movies are aired on the cable channel but are not available on the app. Xfinity will wish to continue advertising one-off programs that are available only via the service.
2. Value proposition – Adding Starz and another premium channel with cable makes the service seem more appealing as opposed to standalone streaming services. This in turn means more value for the money for subscribers.
3. Advertising privileges – Xfinity may be able to negotiate with Starz to offer cheaper subscription rates or longer free trials to coax customers away from other services.
4. Viewer backlash – Disabling any major network is always a raw deal to some extent as at least one subscriber misses his or her favorite shows. Angry viewers are more likely to cut the cord if the frequency of the anger is spread out over a more significant period.
The Outlook
However, without participating in the contract negotiations between Xfinity and Starz, it is impossible to know if or when Starz may be removed from the Xfinity channel lineup. For now, subscribers can continue to receive linear Starz network and its associated channels as an option.
However, due to the constant changes in the streaming and cable TV market, the fans of series like Outlander may find it useful to subscribe to other services where Starz is offered as well. That is useful if a carriage dispute ever occurs in the future so that a new contract has to be negotiated. Of course, we will have to see if any of these new developments alter the existing dynamics between Xfinity and Starz at all
However, without participating in the contract negotiations between Xfinity and Starz, it is impossible to know if or when Starz may be removed from the Xfinity channel lineup. For now, subscribers can continue to receive linear Starz network and its associated channels as an option.
However, due to the constant changes in the streaming and cable TV market, the fans of series like Outlander may find it useful to subscribe to other services where Starz is offered as well. That is useful if a carriage dispute ever occurs in the future so that a new contract has to be negotiated. Of course, we will have to see if any of these new developments alter the existing dynamics between Xfinity and Starz at all.
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