Starz is currently the second largest premium TV network in the United States — behind rival HBO — and as it becomes a bigger player in the market, it seems logical to offer its own streaming platform, if anything to appeal to an increasing number of viewers who have cut the cord from traditional cable or satellite.
Given its low price point, it’s likely Starz will do well at the outset. HBO’s HBO Now and HBO Go streaming services have proved popular, even at a much higher $15 per month, and Showtime, which Starz recently surpassed in the premium cable market, has a streaming service which costs $11 per month.
At launch, the new streaming service from Starz will offer 2,400 selections, including original series like Outlander and Power, and blockbuster hits like Antman, and Inside Out. The company says it plans to further beef up available content later this year when it adds more premium movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Another feature which may drive users to a Starz subscription is the fact that the new app will allow users to download most of its content for offline viewing; While other services such as Amazon Prime Video also offer offline playback, selection is limited. Starz, on the other hand, says that 2200 of its 2400 options will be available for offline playback at launch.
Starz is also making its new app, which it claims is easier to use than prior online interfaces, available to cable and satellite subscribers through authentication.
“Starz has entered the market today with an enormous value proposition for consumers,” said CEO Chris Albrecht in a statement, “Our programing will now be more widely available to the 20 million broadband only homes of cord nevers, cord cutters and cord shavers, including Millennials and other underserved consumers who need other viable subscription service options.”
While the service remains available only for Android and Apple devices for now, it is likely availability will expand to platforms like the Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox One in the near future, just as was the case with HBO and Showtime’s roll-out. Starz did not, however, indicate a timeline for any such expansion in its announcement.
For more information on the new streaming service, would-be subscribers can check out the company’s website.
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