What is STARZ?
Starz is a cable and satellite television network offering 24×7 TV channels and on demand content with subscription based service. Starz has original content in addition to other premium content offered by its competitors such as HBO & Showtime.
It is a true premium service as there is only a free trial for a short period of time and then you have to pay for the subscription. There is not ad-supported content, or content that you can watch for free on Starz.
Starz on 2016 became a subsidiary of lionsgate. It initially started as a TV Programming subsidiary and JV of Liberty media. The network now has 17 cable channels:
If you are looking to watch content available on Starz for free, there are some options for you. You can look for the particular show and use your existing cable subscription. If its not available there, you can get subscription for another service which might offer better benefits. Unfortunately, for original Starz shows, you either have to pay for the service standalone, or you need to buy starz as an add on with other streaming service such as amazon prime, sling, hulu and more.
To know how to watch starz on a supported device, you can follow this guide.
Features
Streaming
The subscription of the app lets you stream content on 4 devices simultaneously. You can watch a show or a movie on your mobile device and continue watching the rest on your TV or any other supported devices.
For customization sake, it lets you create 5 profiles. These profiles let you customize as you can select and watch your favorite shows, and the profile will save your preferences. This feature will offer better recommendations based on your taste and let you continue watching content from where you left off. This means effectively, 5 people can use one account and keep their preferences separate from each other.
Downloading on App
The app lets you download content and watch later. This can be useful when you are traveling. Since the service is only available in some countries such as US/Canada, if you are traveling outside your home country, the downloads feature would be a boon as you would be able to watch tv shows and movies on starz outside the US.
Early Access to episodes
With the Starz app and subscription, you can enjoy early access to some original content before anyone else can watch it. There are several ways through which you can access starz (browers, as an add-on on other streaming services, through your cable provider included in package and on app). With the Starz App, you can get early access which is an exclusive feature.
Ad free experience
Starz allows you to stream ad free content. This feature is subjectively appreciated as some people would like to be able to pay less with ad supported content. Starz is a premium service provider which does not have ad supported content. Once you get the subscription, the content that you stream will be completely free from any advertisements.
Other notable features
- Does not have a contract. You do need to worry about early termination fee or any other hidden fees.
- Offers a free trial for 7 days so that you can test the service before you actually spend on the service.
- Lets you share passwords and watch original content.
Starz Pricing (how & where to get STARZ)
Starz pricing is a bit complicated as it is buyable as a standalone service and as an add-on with other streaming services. The average price of the service comes down to be $9.
In most cases, if you get Starz as an addon you can log in to the starz app as well. There is an exception in case of Xfinity subscription. With Xfinity, you cannot access the content on the Starz app.
Also, make sure to lookout for exclusive offers on https://www.starz.com/us/en/signup. Currently, they have an offer running which allows you to subscribe for a 3 month contract at $5 for each month. This lets you save a total of $12 on your 3 month subscription of Starz.
Starz as a add-on is available on:
- Amazon Prime ($9/Month with extra starz channels)
- Hulu ($8.99/month)
- Sling TV ($9.99/month but channels limited to 30)
- AT&T TV ($11/Month)
- Youtube TV ($9/ Month but channels limited to 80)
- Philo ($9/Month)
Note: These prices are additional to subscription fee of the respective services.
Starz bundled/included in packages is available on:
- DIRECTV STREAM ($149.99/month)
- FuboTV ($78.99/Month)
- Sling TV ($44/Month)
- AT&T TV ($80.99/Month)
- Hulu ($78.99/Month)
- Philo ($34/Month)
- Youtube TV ($73.99/Month)
Note: These prices are inclusive of Stars subscription and subscription of the respective services.
Starz Cable Channels
MoviePlex
- MoviePlex
- IndiePlex
- RetroPlex
Starz
- Starz
- Starz Cinema
- Starz Comedy
- Starz Edge
- Starz in Black
- Starz Kids & Family
Starz Encore
- Starz Encore
- Starz Encore Action
- Starz Encore Black
- Starz Encore Classic
- Starz Encore Español
- Starz Encore Family
- Starz Encore Suspense
- Starz Encore Westerns
Sometimes these three networks are bundled together or sold as a standalone service. You need to check with your cable provider or streaming service to understand what is included. When talking about Starz subscriptions, the price is around $9 which only includes Starz.
Supported Devices
This is just a list for supported devices, to know how to activate & watch Starz on your device of choice, you can follow our in depth guide.
Starz is available on:
On Smartphones & Tablets
- Iphone, ipad & iPod
- Amazon Fire Tablets & Phones
- Android Phones & Tablets
On Streaming Media Players
- Apple TV
- Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick
- Android TV
- Nexus Player
- NVIDIA Shield
- Razer Forge
- Roku TV and Roku Stick
- Xfinity
- Chromecast
On Streaming Networks
- Sling TV
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Philo
- AT&T
- YoutubeTV
- Prime
On Gaming Consoles
- Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox Series X|S
- Ps4
On Smart TV
- Sony
- Samsung
- LG
- Vizio
On PC & Laptop
On Browsers
- Edge
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
On Operating Systems
- Windows
- Apple OS X
About Starz Live Streaming
You can watch Starz live without cable by subscribing to its plans or using it as an add on service. You can check the schedule here: https://www.starz.com/us/en/schedule/STZ1
Have a Question?
For its customers, STARZ has a live phone support number available 24/7. Just call at 1-855-247-9175 and request the advisor to ask your question. The advisor will take your request forward and complete the procedure.
How To Sign up to Get STARZ
STARZ offers a 7 day free trial period to the new customers when they sign up. And after the free trial ends, the subscription charges are added to your card. You can also claim the special offers while signing up. To Sign up, just go to the STARZ Website and click on “Sign up” or “start your free trial”. Then follow the on screen instructions to complete the Sign up procedure.
Steps to Create a Starz Account (Subscription)
Follow the given below steps to create your account on STARZ:-
- Visit http://www.starz.com/ on your web browser and click on the “Sign up” option at the top.
- Select “start your free trial” or “claim special offers”.
- Enter your email address and select continue or Claim offer.
- Give your card details.
- Select a password for your account.
- Click on continue to complete Sign up.
How to Set up parental controls in STARZ
STARZ offers a parental control feature with which you can set up a pin on your account to make sure your kids don’t watch the adult content. Follow the given below steps to set up parental controls on STARZ:-
Through computer
- Visit STARZ Website and log in your account.
- Tap on the profile icon at the top and then select the settings option.
- On the next page, click on profile settings and select the red bar next to the parental control option.
- A dialog box will appear to set up the pin for parental controls, enter a pin and click Create pin to save it.
- Now, set the ratings of movies and series which you want to allow for each profile.
Through STARZ app
- Open the STARZ app and sign in using your account credentials.
- Click on the more option at bottom of the screen.
- Click on settings under your profile.
- Select Account Management.
- On your device, the browser will open. Click on the red bar below the parental control option.
- Create a pin for parental control and click on create pin.
- Click on the profile and mark the ratings that you want to set for each profile for movies and series.
Note:– Once you have set the pin for parental controls then you cannot change it.
And in case, you have forgotten your pin then go to parental settings and click on forget pin. STARZ will send your pin through email.
How to Set up Profiles in Starz
STARZ allows the user to create different profiles on its subscription for its family members and friends. It gives everyone a personal space to personalize their STARZ experience. On a STARZ account, you can add up to 5 different profiles. Follow the given below steps to set up or edit a profile:-
- Visit STARZ website and login your account.
- On the top right corner, click on the current profile and select “Profiles”.
- To make the changes on your profile such as name and pictures, select “Edit” under profile name.
- Click on the plus icon(+) to add a new profile.
- To switch the profile, just tap on the profile icon then click the profile icon or name which you want to select.
Starz vs. HBO Max
HBO Max is a streaming platform launched in 2020 in the USA and currently owned by WarnerMedia. STARZ is a cable and satellite TV network owned by Lionsgate which offers both 24-hour TV channel service and on-demand streaming service. To understand which streaming service is better, we have to look at following aspects:-
Pricing
On HBO Max, you can watch the movies and series with ads for the subscription of $10 per month and without ads for $15 per month. Whereas STARZ offers only one payment plan i.e for $9 per month. It also gives a 7 day free trial which is not available in HBO Max.
Original Content
Both STARZ and HBO Max offer a collection of original and popular shows. The top original shows and movies offered by HBO Max are The Flight Attendant, Peacemaker, Made for Love and Zack Snyder’s Justice league. STARZ doesn’t have any original films on its platform but it has original shows like Blindspotting and Run the world. So, HBO Max gives you a better selection of movies and shows as compared to STARZ.
Other content
In addition to original content, HBO Max and STARZ have various other movies and series. Some of the most popular licensed shows offered by HBO Max are Friends, The Big Bang theory. STARZ too offers on-demand tv shows and movies like American Gods, Black sails, Ash vs Evil Dead, Spider-man : homecoming.
Devices and Compatibility
Both HBO Max and STARZ are compatible with almost all the devices so in this category there is no clear winner. Here some of the devices that they both supports:-
- iOS phones and tablets
- Android phones and tablets
- Amazon fire TV
- Apple tv
- Google Chromecast
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Roku
- Smart TV’s
Video Quality
In this aspect, both HBO Max and STARZ lack behind. As on their platform, only a few shows and movies are available in 4k. On HBO Max, you can stream only new WB movies in 4K. And on STARZ, you can watch some of the orginal movies in 4k.
Simultaneous Streams
STARZ is the better choice in this area as it allows the users to enjoy streaming on four different devices simultaneously. Whereas HBO Max allows only three devices. With STARZ, you can easily share your account with your friends and family members.
Conclusion
We cannot decide which one is better as both HBO Max and STARZ are the top streaming services and offer various features. In terms of pricing and Simultaneous Streams, STARZ is better. On the other hand, HBO Max offers a wide range of movies and series as compared to STARZ. So it depends on your preference, for the best price STARZ can be your choice and for better content libraries, HBO Max can be your choice.
STARZ vs Starz play
STARZ is one of the leading cable and satellite television networks in the USA. And Starz play is the official app of STARZ channel on which you can watch the Starz library of on-demand movies and original tv shows. You can stream tv shows like American Gods, Black sails, Ash vs Evil Dead and classic movies like Spiderman: homecoming. Remember, Starz play is not accessible outside the US due to some reasons. So in case you want to stream the channel abroad then you have to use an unlocator VPN or Smart DNS. If you already have the STARZ subscription via a TV provider then you can stream the Starz play for absolutely free.