Report updated Apr 24, 2026
STARZ
For adults seeking premium, mature, and 'boundary-breaking' entertainment, specifically targeting audiences interested in gritty dramas, thrillers, and exclusive original franchises.
STARZ is an established entertainment app that is available. With a 4.7/5 rating from 510.1K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate content library, though login & authentication remains a common concern.
What is STARZ?
Current Momentum
v8.15 · 1mo ago
MaintenanceSTARZ is currently in maintenance mode, focusing exclusively on reliability and performance updates.
Active Nemesis
Paramount+
By CBS Interactive
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
EntertainmentRating Pulse 🇺🇸
Recent User Mood
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
What Are The Key Features?
Access to exclusive, mature-themed original series like Power, Outlander, and P-Valley
Access the app at no additional charge if already a subscriber through a participating TV provider
Uninterrupted viewing of all original series and movies
Download content to watch without an internet connection
Watch on multiple devices simultaneously, including mobile, tablet, and TV
How much does it cost?
- Monthly or annual subscription for unlimited streaming
- Access included for existing TV provider subscribers
Monetization relies on direct-to-consumer subscriptions with a focus on promotional pricing (e.g., $5/mo for 3 months) to lower the barrier to entry, while maintaining a legacy partnership model with TV providers.
Who Built It?
Providing premium, mature-audience streaming content through a hybrid distribution model of direct subscriptions and cable provider integrations.
Portfolio
1
Apps
Explore the full Starz Entertainment report
Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Starz Entertainment.
What do users think recently?
High confidence · Latest 100 of 149 total reviews analyzed · Based on 149 reviews. Signal may be noisy.
How did the latest release land?
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate content library and user interface & navigation, but report login & authentication and technical performance.
What Users Love
What Frustrates Users
View the full user-sentiment analysis
Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.
What is the competitive landscape for STARZ?
How's The Entertainment Market?
How does it evolve in the Entertainment market?
STARZ is climbing the charts.
Rank progression
3 active rankings tracked — 30-day window
The rivals identified
The outtake for STARZ
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- Strong brand identity around 'Adult' and 'Bold' content
- High-retention original IP (Power, Outlander)
- High iOS rating (4.8) suggesting core mobile stability
- Seamless TV provider integration for legacy subscribers
Critical Frictions
- Critical technical debt in authentication (login loops)
- Playback quality issues (pixelation and freezing)
- Lack of 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos support
- Friction in subscription cancellation and promotional billing
Growth Levers
- Introduction of 'Live' linear channels to increase DAU
- Expansion into hyper-niche thriller sub-genres to counter Shudder
- Improved 4K/Atmos catalog to compete with HBO Max
Market Threats
- Paramount+'s high feature shipment velocity (14 releases in 180 days)
- Tubi's zero-friction, free entry model
- Netflix's diversification into mobile gaming
What are the next best moves?
Stabilize TV provider authentication flows, specifically for Hulu integrations.
Login loops are a high-frequency complaint theme and a primary driver of 1-star reviews, representing a direct churn risk.
Optimize video playback bitrates and app launch stability.
Users report 'pixelated and unclear' video and frequent freezes, which undermines the 'premium' brand positioning.
Audit billing logic for promotional pricing tiers.
Sentiment data shows users being charged full price despite signing up for $4.99/3mo promotions, leading to trust issues and cancellations.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- Live sports and breaking news (available in Paramount+)
- 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos support (available in HBO Max)
- Linear 'Channels' viewing experience (available in Peacock TV and PlutoTV)
- Integrated mobile gaming library (available in Netflix)
Key Takeaways
STARZ owns a powerful niche in mature, scripted drama, but technical debt is currently its greatest enemy. If I were the PM, I would pause feature expansion to fix the authentication loops and playback quality; the content library is strong enough to attract users, but the app's instability is actively driving them away.
Where Is It Heading?
Mixed Signals
v8.15.1 (Mar 2026) focused only on bug fixes — indicates a period of maintenance rather than innovation.
Mixed sentiment (Score 52) driven by persistent login loops — technical debt is impacting user retention.
Strong grossing rank (#15 in category) — indicates high monetization efficiency and loyal franchise fans.