Starz is making headlines this fall with a wave of fresh content, impressive subscriber growth, and a major corporate milestone: its official separation from Lionsgate. As the streaming wars heat up, Starz is betting big on original series, blockbuster movies, and a renewed focus on its core audience.
Starz’s Hottest Titles: What’s Trending Now
If you’re wondering what everyone’s watching on Starz, the latest charts reveal a mix of new originals and familiar favorites dominating the platform. Leading the pack is
"Shadow Force," which has held the top spot for over two weeks, followed closely by the enduring popularity of the
Fifty Shades trilogy and the action-packed "Flight Risk." On the TV side,
"Outlander: Blood of My Blood"—the much-anticipated prequel to the beloved
Outlander series—is drawing major buzz, while "The Couple Next Door" and "Magic City: An American Fantasy" are also climbing the ranks.
Notably, the
Power universe continues to deliver, with "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" and its sibling series maintaining strong positions in the top 10. This franchise remains a cornerstone of Starz’s original programming strategy, consistently driving viewership and engagement.
Financials: Subscriber Growth and a New Chapter
Starz’s latest financial report paints a picture of a company on the upswing. For the quarter ending March 31, 2025, Starz reported
$330.6 million in revenue and a
530,000 increase in U.S. OTT (over-the-top) subscribers, bringing its total U.S. streaming base to 12.3 million. Overall, U.S. subscribers reached 18 million, up 320,000 from the previous quarter—a notable achievement given the lingering effects of last year’s Hollywood strikes.
CEO Jeffrey Hirsch highlighted the company’s resilience:
“Despite having a strike-impacted slate this year, we delivered a strong fourth quarter and generated over $200M of Adjusted OIBDA for fiscal year 2025.” The growth was largely fueled by the successful premiere of "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Season 4.
However, not all news was positive. Starz saw a slight dip in total North American subscribers due to a carriage dispute in Canada, which led to the removal of its linear channel from a major distributor. Still, the company downplayed the impact, citing the low revenue from those subscribers.
Independence from Lionsgate: What’s Next?
Perhaps the biggest shakeup is Starz’s completed separation from Lionsgate, finalized on May 6, 2025. This move allows Starz to operate as a fully independent, publicly traded company (NASDAQ: STRZ), with a new fiscal year ending December 31. The company will begin reporting earnings per share (EPS) starting with the next quarter, signaling a new era of transparency and accountability.
Industry analysts see this as a strategic play, giving Starz more flexibility to invest in original content and pursue partnerships without the constraints of a larger parent company. The streaming landscape is crowded, but Starz’s focus on bold storytelling and niche audiences could help it carve out a sustainable path.
What’s Coming: New Series and Fan Favorites
Looking ahead, Starz is doubling down on its reputation for edgy, character-driven dramas. The highly anticipated sequel series
"Spartacus: House of Ashur" is set to debut on December 5, 2025, promising to reignite fan excitement for the historical epic. Meanwhile, the final season of "Outlander" is on the horizon, ensuring that loyal viewers have plenty to look forward to.
Starz’s strategy is clear: keep audiences hooked with a steady stream of originals, while leveraging its deep library of movies and cult classics.
Takeaways: Starz’s Bold Bet on Originals and Independence
-
Subscriber growth is strong, especially in the U.S., thanks to hit originals and franchise expansions.
-
Separation from Lionsgate positions Starz for greater agility and creative risk-taking.
-
Upcoming releases like "Spartacus: House of Ashur" and the final "Outlander" season are poised to drive even more engagement.
-
Challenges remain, including competition from streaming giants and the fallout from industry disruptions, but Starz is betting on its unique voice and loyal fanbase.
As the streaming wars rage on, Starz is proving it’s not just surviving—it’s evolving, and ready to make its mark in the next chapter of entertainment.
Sources
1. Starz TOP 10 in the United States on September 25, 2025 - FlixPatrol
2. Starz Entertainment Corp. Provides Business Update for the Fourth ...
3. Just Added - Watch Movies and TV Shows on STARZ
4. Starz.com
5. LIONSGATE AND LIONSGATE STUDIOS REPORT RESULTS FOR ...
6. Cynopsis 09/26/25: Debut Date Set for New "Spartacus" Series
7. Kids | Lincolnwood Public Library
8. [PDF] Netflix and the Development of the Internet Television Network
9. MHS Extended Learning - Middleborough Public Schools
10. 'Outlander' Season 8 News: Everything We Know
