Starz Fios blackout begins after bitter 11th-hour talks fail
The Starz Fios blackout has begun. Starz channels went dark for Verizon Fios TV customers late Wednesday, Sept. 30, after the two companies failed to reach a new carriage agreement before their deal expired at midnight ET, Deadline and Variety reported.
With the Starz Fios carriage deal expired, customers have lost Starz’s linear channels, Starz On Demand and access to the Starz app through their Fios subscription.
Starz blames Verizon for the Starz Fios blackout
“Since an agreement was not reached, customers have lost access to Starz’s programming,” Starz Networks President Alison Hoffman said in a statement late Wednesday. “Despite extensive efforts by Starz to reach a renewal agreement and preserve uninterrupted access for Verizon Fios customers, Verizon has chosen to remove Starz.”
Hoffman said Verizon “mischaracterized our position” and showed “an unwillingness to negotiate.” She added, “We stand ready to reach a fair agreement that restores Starz to Verizon customers as quickly as possible,” according to Variety.
Earlier Wednesday, Starz had warned subscribers that a blackout was likely. In that statement, Hoffman called Starz “an independent programmer dedicated to women and underrepresented audiences” and said, “Limiting access to Starz would reduce competition and consumer choice.”
Verizon’s side of the dispute
Verizon responded to the earlier warning by accusing Starz of trying to pressure it in public. “Using public warnings to create concern among subscribers is an unnecessary pressure tactic,” the company said, according to Variety.
“Starz is attempting to use public pressure to force higher rates on our customers which would directly drive up monthly bills for the families we serve,” Verizon added. It said it wants to protect viewers “from unjustified price increases.”
How to keep watching Starz
The Starz Fios dispute does not affect the Starz streaming service. Fios customers can still subscribe to Starz directly to keep watching shows such as “Outlander” and “Outlander: Blood of My Blood,” Deadline noted.
That streaming option is a big reason the fight may not ripple far beyond Fios. Starz ended 2025 with 17.6 million subscribers across all platforms, including 12.7 million U.S. streaming subscribers, according to Variety. Streaming accounts for about three-quarters of its subscriber base, Deadline reported.
What’s next in the Starz Fios standoff
Neither company has said when talks will resume. Carriage disputes can end within days or drag on for weeks, depending on how far apart the two sides are on fees. For more on what to watch, visit our TV and streaming section.