STARZ ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/ Business Summary

Starz Entertainment Corp (NASDAQ: STRZ) operates as a premier global media entity following its May 2025 separation from Lionsgate, generating revenue primarily through a high-margin subscription model across direct-to-consumer (DTC) over-the-top (OTT) platforms and traditional multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). The company’s business is segmented into Domestic Networks, which includes the flagship STARZ linear channels and the STARZ app, and a restructured International segment that increasingly utilizes licensing models, such as its recent transition in the Canadian market. As of early 2026, Starz has successfully pivoted to a digital-first strategy, with approximately 70% of its revenue derived from its digital footprint and a record 12.7 million OTT subscribers. Positioned as a "complementary" premium service rather than a broad-market utility, Starz competes directly with HBO (Warner Bros. Discovery), Showtime (Paramount Global), and Netflix by specifically targeting women and underrepresented audiences with high-prestige scripted originals and a deep library of first-run theatrical films. The leadership team is led by President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch, a veteran media executive with a pedigree from Time Warner Cable who has overseen the company’s digital transformation and its 2025 spin-off into an independent public company. Supporting Hirsch are Scott Macdonald, Chief Financial Officer, who manages the firm’s aggressive deleveraging strategy and capital allocation, and Alison Hoffman, President of Domestic Networks, who is credited with the brand’s successful "We’re All Adults Here" positioning. The executive suite also includes Kathryn Busby as President of Original Programming and Jason Wyrick as EVP of Technology. The company’s strategic direction is further influenced by a board featuring Vice Chairman Michael Burns, reflecting a deep institutional connection to the Lionsgate legacy, while major institutional backing remains consistent with mid-cap media leaders focused on free cash flow and margin expansion.