History Creator / Starz

The biggest news came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion. Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, was formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/{{Paramount}} after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, but it hasn't seen much success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] outright refused to carry the Epix networks at launch). More recently, Starz decided to do what HBO had done and launch a standalone streaming service; but as a result, Comcast subscribers can't use their login info to access their new service. In 2017, MGM would buy Lionsgate and Creator/{{Viacom}}'s stake in Epix for $1.03 billion.

Nowadays, Starz is entrenched as the third major premium network, with Encore now being the secondary service, and [=MoviePlex=] being the tertiary service. In comparison to its rivals, who now tend to focus on original series, Starz continues with movies as the primary focus. Some notable series Starz did produce include ''Series/DaVincisDemons'',''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'', ''Series/{{Outlander}}'', ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' (as it was partially set in America), and ''Series/AshVsEvilDead''.

* ''WesternAnimation/DanVs'' [[note]] Produced by Starz but aired on The Hub [[/note]]

* [=StarzEncore=] Black: Much like Starz [=inBlack=], except it also carries black-oriented TV series like ''Series/{{Amen}}''; previously was True Stories, then Encore Drama, focusing on dramatic pictures and documentaries.

* [=StarzEncore=] Family: Much like Starz Kids & Family. Unlike Starz Kids & Family, the station aired a variety of anime (up to a TV-14 rating) such as ''Manga/{{Vandread}}'' and ''Manga/SamuraiDeeperKyo'' in a section known as "The Block" until 2008. Was originally titled WAM! America's Kidz Network (WAM! [[FunWithAcronyms standing for]] "What Adults are Missing"), then Encore Wam.

* [=StarzEncore=] Westerns: The main place for Western movies and series; much like the genre itself, it's somehow still kicking.

* [=IndiePlex=]: Much like Starz Cinema.
* [=RetroPlex=]: Much like Encore Classic.

The reason the [=MoviePlex=] channels somewhat mirror some of the Starz and Encore channels is because [=MoviePlex=] was initially started as Encore's "sampler service"- because most cable systems didn't carry the Encore Multiplex at first due to limited channel capacity, [=MoviePlex=] was created to fill the void (taking over from another Liberty network called TV! Network that showed blocks of programming from other cable nets), or it could serves as a "demo" for interested cable subscribers. Each day, the programming would be a mirror of either Encore or one of the multiplex nets; R-rated material would be removed from the rotation. It retained this format well into the 2000s, when everybody carried both Starz and Encore networks and the format no longer made sense; 2006 saw the dropping of the format and transition into a standard movie channel, plus the launches of [=IndiePlex=] and [=RetroPlex=].

Nowadays, Starz is entrenched as the third major premium network, with Encore now being the secondary service, and [=MoviePlex=] being the tertiary service. In comparison to its rivals, who now tend to focus on original series, Starz continues with movies as the primary focus; they do have some original series, including ''Series/DaVincisDemons'', ''Series/{{Boss}}'', ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'', ''Series/{{Outlander}}'', ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' (as it was partially set in America), ''Series/BluntTalk'', and ''Series/AshVsEvilDead''; but it is not their major focus.

Perhaps in reflection of this, they have also tried expanding beyond premium TV into animation (Creator/FilmRoman), anime (Creator/MangaEntertainment), and video distribution (Anchor Bay Entertainment, which holds the video rights to many cult titles from companies like New World Pictures). However, most of their ventures haven't done so well- they tried their hand at theatrical distribution with Overture Films, but that venture was not a success and was shut down in 2011; Manga Entertainment's US operation stopped the same year, and Film Roman was sold off in 2015 (though Starz continues to own the library up to that point).

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks also saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series.

* Starz Edge: 18-34 age range movies; previously Starz! 2 and Starz! Theater, rebranded in 2005.

Nowadays, Starz is entrenched as the third major premium network, with Encore now being the secondary service, and [=MoviePlex=] being the tertiary service. In comparison to its rivals, who now tend to focus on original series, Starz continues with movies as the primary focus; they do have some original series, including ''Series/DaVincisDemons'', ''Series/{{Boss}}'', ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'', ''Series/{{Outlander}}'', ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' (as it was partially set in America), ''Series/BluntTalk'', and the upcoming ''Franchise/EvilDead'' series; but it is not their major focus.

* [=StarzEncore=] Family: Much like Starz Kids & Family, only it runs anime. Was originally titled WAM! America's Kidz Network (WAM! [[FunWithAcronyms standing for]] "What Adults are Missing"), then Encore Wam.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks also saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series. The biggest news, however, came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion. Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, was formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/ParamountPictures after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, but it hasn't seen much success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] outright refused to carry the Epix networks at launch). More recently, Starz decided to do what HBO had done and launch a standalone streaming service; but as a result, Comcast subscribers can't use their login info to access their new service.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks also saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series. The biggest news, however, came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion. Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, was formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/ParamountPictures after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, but it was never a big success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] refused to carry the Epix networks) and the merger, as well as swirling rumors of a re-merger between Viacom and Creator/{{CBS}}, has likely spelled its doom. More recently, Starz decided to do what HBO had done and launch a standalone streaming service; but as a result, Comcast subscribers can't use their login info to access their new service.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stz_2016_bk_rgb.png]]
[[caption-width-right:313:''[[TagLine Obsessable.]]'']]

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series. The biggest news, however, came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion; Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/ParamountPictures after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, was never a big success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] refused to carry the Epix networks) and the merger, as well as swirling rumors of a re-merger between Viacom and Creator/{{CBS}}, has likely spelled its doom. More recently, Starz decided to do what HBO had done and launch a standalone streaming service; but as a result, Comcast subscribers can't use their login info to access their new service.

Encore's plan was to have 7 different channels focusing on one specific genre (action flicks, westerns, etc.) But when they acquired some rights to first-run and recent movies from Creator/{{Universal}}, Creator/NewLineCinema, Creator/CarolcoPictures and Creator/{{Disney}}'s sub-labels Creator/TouchstonePictures, Creator/HollywoodPictures and then-Disney-owned Creator/MiramaxFilms, they decided to create an 8th channel to show only these movies: [[ExcitedShowTitle Starz!]] It launched on February 1, 1994, primarily on TCI cable systems. However, it and the Encore multiplex continued to grow in the following years, as providers began to pick up the channel, especially Comcast systems after Liberty struck a deal with them in 1997 regarding Philadelphia[[note]]Starz would replace [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(TV_network) PRISM]], a regional network that screened movies, other entertainment programs, and, primarily, sports telecasts from each of the major non-NFL teams in the area; the sportscasts would move to the very first Comcast [=SportsNet=], which also replaced [=SportsChannel=] Philadelphia; the [=SportsChannel=] networks would later become part of [[Creator/{{Fox}} Fox SportsNet]][[/note]]; meanwhile, HBO and Showtime rushed to create their own multiplex services, but none of them really got off the ground until 1999-2000, when digital cable started becoming widespread.

In 1996, Starz! got its' own extension, with the launch of Starz! 2, which had a unique scheduling practice: the same movies each day for a week at the same times, like a movie theater. Gradually, the multiplex and Starz! itself (who now has their very own multiplex) expanded, essentially become the premium TV equivalent of a BreakoutCharacter, with Encore and its "sampler" service [=MoviePlex=] (which has since dropped that schedule and now has multiplex networks of its own) tagging along.

* Starz Cinema: art-house films, launched in 1999; the only multiplex network not to have been rebranded since its launch.

* Starz [=inBlack=]: African-American movies; started in 1997 as a joint network with Creator/{{BET}} called BET Movies: Starz! 3; they dropped out in 2001 when Viacom (then-owner of rival Showtime) bought them; it was then known as Black Starz! until 2005.
* Starz Kids & Family: Focused on family-friendly films and some acquired content from Canada (like ''WesternAnimation/AngelaAnaconda''). Started out as two separate networks, Starz! Family (launched in 1999) and Starz! Kids (launched in 2003); they were merged into one network in 2005.

The reason the [=MoviePlex=] channels somewhat mirror some of the Starz and Encore channels is because they're typically free with normal cable packages, as compared to the Starz and Encore bouquets, which are often bundled together for extra money.

Nowadays, Starz is entrenched as the third major premium network, with Encore now being the secondary service, and [=MoviePlex=] being the tertiary service. In comparison to its rivals, who now tend to focus on original series; Starz continues with movies as the primary focus; they do have some original series, including ''Series/DaVincisDemons'', ''Series/{{Boss}}'', ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'', ''Series/{{Outlander}}'', ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' (as it was partially set in America), ''Series/BluntTalk'', and the upcoming ''Franchise/EvilDead'' series; but it is not their major focus.

Perhaps in reflection of this, they have also tried expanding beyond premium TV into animation (Creator/FilmRoman), anime (Creator/MangaEntertainment), and video distribution (Anchor Bay Entertainment, which holds the video rights to many cult titles from companies like New World Pictures); they've also tried their hand at theatrical distribution with Overture Films, but that venture was not a success and was shut down in 2011; Manga Entertainment's US operation stopped the same year, and Film Roman was sold off in 2015 (though Starz continues to own the library up to that point).

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series. The biggest news, however, came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion; Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/ParamountPictures after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, was never a big success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] refused to carry the Epix networks) and the merger, as well as swirling rumors of a re-merger between Viacom and Creator/{{CBS}}, has likely spelled its doom.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series. The biggest news, however, came when Creator/{{Lionsgate}} announced they were to acquire the company for $4,4 billion; Lionsgate's previous premium TV attempt, Epix, formed in 2009 by Lionsgate, Creator/{{MGM}} and Creator/ParamountPictures after pulling their films from Creator/{{Showtime}}, was never a big success (Comcast and [=DirecTV=] refused to carry the Epix networks) and the merger, as well as swirling rumors of a re-merger between Viacom and Creator/{{CBS}}, has likely spelled its' doom.

Encore's plan was to have 7 different channels focusing on one specific genre (action flicks, westerns, etc.) But when they acquired some rights to first-run and recent movies from Creator/{{Universal}}, Creator/NewLineCinema, Creator/CarolcoPictures and Creator/{{Disney}}'s sub-labels Creator/TouchstonePictures, Creator/HollywoodPictures and then-Disney-owned Creator/MiramaxFilms, they decided to create an 8th channel to show only these movies: [[ExcitedShowTitle Starz!]] It launched on February 1, 1994, primarily on TCI cable systems. However, it and the Encore multiplex continued to grow in the following years, as providers began to pick up the channel, especially Comcast systems after Liberty struck a deal with them in Philadelphia[[note]]Starz would replace PRISM, a former regional network that played movies and a lot of local sports; the sports would go onto the very first Comcast [=SportsNet=], which also replaced [=SportsChannel=] Philadelphia; the [=SportsChannel=] networks would later become part of [[Creator/{{Fox}} Fox Sportsnet]][[/note]]; meanwhile, HBO and Showtime rushed to create their own multiplex services, but none of them really got off the ground until 1999-2000, when digital cable started becoming widespread.

Encore's plan was to have 7 different channels focusing on one specific genre (action flicks, westerns, etc.) But when they acquired some rights to first-run and recent movies from Creator/{{Universal}}, Creator/NewLineCinema, Creator/CarolcoPictures and Creator/{{Disney}}'s sub-labels Creator/TouchstonePictures, Creator/HollywoodPictures and then-Disney-owned Creator/MiramaxFilms, they decided to create an 8th channel to show only these movies: [[ExcitedShowTitle Starz!]] It launched on February 1, 1994, primarily on TCI cable systems. However, it and the Encore multiplex continued to grow in the following years, as providers began to pick up the channel; meanwhile, HBO and Showtime rushed to create their own multiplex services, but none of them really got off the ground until 1999-2000, when digital cable started becoming widespread.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series.

* [=StarzEncore=] Classic: Show classic films that once ran on the actual Encore; also carries some older TV series like ''NightCourt''. Was originally Love Stories, then Encore Romance.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a newer, much less cool logo and a new slogan: "Obsessable", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series.

2016 saw, in a touch of {{Irony}}, the Encore networks rebranded under the Starz umbrella as ''[=StarzEncore=]''; the main Starz networks saw a rebrand at the same time, with a newer, much less cool logo and a new slogan: "Obsessible", referring to people going crazy over their favorite TV series.

Perhaps in reflection of this, they have also expanded beyond premium TV into animation (Creator/FilmRoman), anime (Creator/MangaEntertainment), and video distribution (Anchor Bay Entertainment, which holds the video rights to many cult titles from companies like New World Pictures); they've also tried their hand at theatrical distribution with Overture Films, but that venture was not a success and was shut down in 2011.

[[quoteright:313:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6678665079159286bed0752a16f4301a.jpg]]

[[caption-width-right:313:''[[TagLine Taking You Places]]'']]

* Encore Action: Lots of action, also aired anime films for a while.
* Encore Black: Much like Starz [=inBlack=], except it also carries black-oriented TV series like ''Series/{{Amen}}''; previously was True Stories, then Encore Drama, focusing on dramatic pictures and documentaries.
* Encore Classic: Show classic films that once ran on the actual Encore; also carries some older TV series like ''NightCourt''. Was originally Love Stories, then Encore Romance.
* Encore Espanol: The newest of the multiplex, launched in 2011 as a straight simulcast of the main Encore feed, but became separate in 2013 (much like HBO Latino), showing Spanish-language movies.
* Encore Family: Much like Starz Kids & Family, only it runs anime. Was originally titled WAM! America's Kidz Network (WAM! [[FunWithAcronyms standing for]] "What Adults are Missing"), then Encore Wam.
* Encore Suspense: Thrillers and such. Used to be (Encore) Mystery.
* Encore Westerns: The main place for Western movies and series; much like the genre itself, it's somehow still kicking.

Starz is a premium cable network launched in 1994, specializing in first-run movies. Unusually, it did not start as the first channel in its group; that honor would go to sister network Encore, which launched in 1991 under the ownership of then-giant cable provider [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tele-Communications_Inc TCI]], which has since been absorbed into Comcast; before that happened, ownership was transferred from TCI to sister company Liberty Media, both owned by John Malone. Starz has since been spun off as its own company. Encore started out as a solo channel, focusing on older movies, much like Creator/{{AMC}} back in those days. Over the years, [[NetworkDecay it gradually shifted away from that focus, and now is a general movie network]]. Encore broke new ground in the TV world in 1994 when it started the first themed premium multiplex (paving the way for its rivals to do the same). Prior to this, the other big premium networks (Creator/{{HBO}}, Creator/{{Showtime}}) had at least one additional channel for themselves, and a sister network (Creator/{{Cinemax}} and Creator/TheMovieChannel, respectively) that focused on more obscure titles. Encore's plan was to have 7 different channels focusing on one specific genre (action flicks, westerns, etc.) But when they acquired some rights to first-run and recent movies from Creator/{{Universal}}, Creator/NewLineCinema, Creator/CarolcoPictures and Creator/{{Disney}}'s sub-labels Creator/TouchstonePictures, Creator/HollywoodPictures and then-Disney-owned Creator/MiramaxFilms, they decided to create an 8th channel to show only these movies: [[ExcitedShowTitle Starz!]] It launched on February 1, 1994, primarily on TCI cable systems. However, it and the Encore multiplex continued to grow in the following years, as providers began to pick up the channel; meanwhile, HBO and Showtime rushed to create their own multiplex services, but none of them really got off the ground until 1999-2000, when digital cable started becoming widespread. In 1996, Starz! got its' own extension, with the launch of Starz! 2, which had a unique scheduling practice: the same movies each day for a week at the same times, like a movie theater. Gradually, the multiplex and Starz! itself (who now has their very own multiplex) expanded, essentially become the premium TV equivalent of a BreakoutCharacter, with Encore and its "sampler" service [=MoviePlex=] (which has since dropped that schedule and now has multiplex networks of its own) tagging along.

Nowadays, Starz is entrenched as the third major premium network, with Encore now being the secondary service, and [=MoviePlex=] being the tertiary service. In comparison to its rivals, who now tend to focus on original series; Starz continues with movies as the primary focus; they do have some original series, including ''Series/DaVincisDemons'', ''Series/{{Boss}}'', ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'', ''Series/{{Outlander}}'', ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' (as it was partially set in America), ''Series/BluntTalk'', and the upcoming ''Franchise/EvilDead'' series; but it is not their major focus. Perhaps in reflection of this, they have also expanded beyond premium TV into animation (Creator/FilmRoman), anime (Creator/MangaEntertainment), and video distribution (Anchor Bay Entertainment, which holds the video rights to many cult titles from companies like New World Pictures); they've also tried their hand at theatrical distribution with Overture Films, but that venture was not a success and was shut down in 2011.