-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect in November. Register Now!

Starz Might Be Next in Line for an OTT Option in the U.S.

Article Featured Image

Earlier this month, premium movie channel Starz announced that it was looking into launching international OTT offerings, and in an earnings call yesterday added that it could well bring such an offering to the U.S., as well.

Starz made headlines in the middle of this month when the Financial Times reported that it was considering an over-the-top offering for regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, and was working with Sweden's Parsifal Entertainment on the launch.

On yesterday's third-quarter earnings call, Chris Albrecht, CEO of Starz, spoke in favor of OTT offerings both abroad and in the U.S. An OTT offering that combines original Starz series plus licensed movies and TV shows will come to some as-yet-unnamed international regions next year, and may come to the United States, as well. An OTT offering won't cannibalize the existing business, he believes, and gives the company an opportunity to innovate.

“There is significant value in paid premium channels that is being constrained by current MVPD bundling,” Variety quoted Albrecht as saying.

Starz has already been out front in using online video to attract new audiences. At the 2014 Streaming Media East conference, David Katz, vice president of digital media for Starz, explained that his company uses YouTube to promote existing series and develop new ideas.  

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

OTT Channel Bundles Coming in 2015, But Don’t Count on Savings

Will Americans cut the cord in the new year and give up their pay TV subscriptions? Sadly, online bundles won't be significantly cheaper.

Starz: Why Creating Original Online Videos Is a Smart Move

Why is a premium movie channel putting original content on YouTube? Because the lines between online and offline are getting blurred.

Starz Grows in Bad Economy with Streaming Deals, Online Originals

Taking a forward position in the video-on-demand market has allowed the premium cable network to thrive.

Aerocast Teams with Starz Encore

New broadband streaming media company will start movie trial with Starz Encore.