starz.com
There's a time in every man's life where he has to make a choice that will have a large impact on his future. This decision can range from small things, like what movie to watch, to bigger choices, like whether or not to marry someone. It can make him laugh and cry, depending on how he chooses to interpret it.
I'm talking about deciding which streaming service to commit to. I know, I know. I can already hear the scathing rebuke from Tyler Durden in my ear. But before you scoff, let me justify these grandiose, mostly tongue-in-cheek claims.
When you think about it, streaming services are kind of a big deal. Not only do they have a lot to offer in terms of what shows and films they host, but the way you watch them can really affect the kind of life you lead. For example, if you end up choosing one streaming service over another, it becomes part of your everyday routine and you start to see that service's stories and characters as part of your life. This is especially true today with all the great TV shows and movies out there. So when you're thinking about which one to choose, be sure to consider all the options carefully because there are many good ones out there.
So, I wanted to take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of STARZ's premium streaming platform. With so many competitors out there, I want to figure out what the good, bad and in-between are. Plus, is it worth spending money on? After exploring the matter, here are my findings.
How it Started
Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu became more popular, and STARZ capitalized on that by buying those companies.
As STARZ has been around for many years, it has had various iterations. This growth coincided with the advent of the internet, though they were not directly linked. At first, STARZ was unprofitable and made millions of losses each year. However, they eventually got it together and things started looking good as digital cable became widely adopted throughout the US in the early 2000s. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu became more popular, and STARZ capitalized on that by buying those companies.
STARZ, which had been rapidly growing, found itself in the right place at the right time when providers now had more room for new channels. STARZ was an attractive candidate as it offered viewers a variety of programming options.
The network was acquired by Lionsgate in the mid-2010s and STARZ launched a new app at the same time. Since then, it has thrived as a direct competitor to networks like HBO and Showtime.
How it Works
Customers have a choice between subscribing directly through STARZ or obtaining a subscription through Amazon's Prime Video. Both portals offer the same content, which includes STARZ's current and back catalog of programming, as well as TV series and movies currently airing on Encore. Whether you subscribe through Prime Video or directly with STARZ, the membership will cost you $8.99/month, which is cheaper than both Showtime ($10.99/month) and HBO ($14.99/month). Depending on the time of year, you may be able to get a bundled deal that'll save you money. Otherwise, sometimes STARZ offers short-term free trials so you can sample the service before ponying up the first month's payment.
Once you have finalized your agreement, you will be granted access to STARZ?s library. You can watch it on a desktop or mobile via STARZ?s web client, or you can download the app and watch it on supported streaming devices like Roku or Chromecast. Some folks out there may already have access to STARZ through their cable bundle. If you are one of these people, you should know that you can also use the app or the web client whenever you want.
What?s Included
Now we're getting down to business. The most important part of this equation is what STARZ hosts. You want to know, in plain language, what they've got and whether it's enough to interest you. So let's take a look.
- etc.
To begin with, you should understand STARZ's business model. Rather than serving as a central hub for all sorts of media from every direction, STARZ focuses on offering a smaller selection of high-quality programming. Many of the movies on the platform are exclusive to the network, so that's something to consider. STARZ also boasts a pretty impressive array of blockbusters - particularly classics - at any given time. In fact, they even compete with Netflix and Hulu in this regard. Here you can browse which movies are currently available, but to give you an idea: - Casino - The Big Lebowski - Call Me by Your Name - Back to the Future - My Cousin Vinny - Fargo - Reservoir Dogs - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - The Truman Show - etc.
As the list goes on, it becomes clear that they do excellent work with 90s nostalgia-era content, but may not be as great with contemporary films.
While STARZ may not have as many high-profile shows as HBO, their series are nonetheless some of the best out there. In particular, you might describe much of their content as ?lesser-known gems?.urrection, an adaptation of the namesake novel by Neil Gaiman, is a great example of this. Additionally, Ash vs. Evil Dead, which has a cult-like following that backs it up, is also a great show.
Some other popular series include Counterpart, Black Sails, and Spartacus. Here you can view the whole collection.
Design of the Website
You can also search by title, actor, or director.
When you sign in to STARZ through the web client, you will first see a large slideshow-style banner displaying featured content. This banner takes up much of the screen and besides being a bit annoying it's impractical as you have to click one-by-one through each title to browse through the featured catalog. So what I do and what I imagine most people do is I skip right past that boisterous banner. Beneath it you will find a pretty standard grid-oriented display that you can toggle through much more easily. Each row is categorized differently, with the first being sorted by what's popular, and the next, original series only on STARZ?, etc. Pretty standard stuff. You can also search by title, actor, or director.
If you're looking for something specific, the search bar is right at the top of the page, where it's always easy to find. You can also choose to jump straight into the Movies or Series portal by clicking a direct link on the top of the landing page.
Mobile Experience
If you're looking for a user-friendly mobile streaming app, STARZ's might be the one for you. It offers the standard features and functionality, along with Chromecast compatibility and downloadable content. The interface is sleek and easy to use, and navigating around is as simple as you would hope.
One issue that some users have complained about is that it may be difficult to activate or cancel their subscription through the mobile client. For whatever reason, this is a common problem. You can imagine how angry some people are when they try to cancel a service and find out that they have to pay for an extra month. while this issue is relatively uncommon, it still exists, so be warned.
Prime Video?s Strengths
So STARZ is a great value for the money. It's cheaper than HBO and Showtime, and you can cancel and resubscribe whenever you want.
STARZ has a large collection of classic movies, especially from the 1970s-1990s. Its original series are somewhat obscure, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes the mainstream's tastes are Bland. Personally, I find shows like Ash vs Evil Dead and American Gods to be fantastic, and some of the other series are great too. And we have to reiterate that the STARZ-exclusive collection is impressive.
Prime Video?s Weaknesses
Even if STARZ has its flaws, it's still a pretty good service. The biggest issue is the contemporary movie selection, which is a bit disappointing. But the nostalgic-minded will appreciate the old movies. And when it comes to popular series, there aren't many, but that may not be a bad thing depending on your preferences.
Many users have a problem managing their subscription on the mobile client. This should (and hopefully) be patched up quickly, so we'll see how that plays out.
Popular search queries
