The premium cable network that gave us "Outlander," "Power," and a rotating door of shirtless historical men is quietly entering a strange new chapter.
Starz is now officially a standalone company after Lionsgate spun it off in May 2024, and the timing could not be more awkward.
Its most valuable franchise, the "Power" universe, is showing signs of fatigue just as the network needs a win. "Power Book II: Ghost" wrapped its final season in 2024, and while the flagship series still pulls solid numbers, the spinoff pipeline that once felt endless is thinning. "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" and "Power Book IV: Force" remain in production, but neither has captured the cultural chokehold of the original.
Fans on X have been vocal about what they see as diminishing returns, with one viral post calling the franchise "a legacy act touring on old hits." Meanwhile, "Outlander" is barreling toward its eighth and final season, which means Starz is about to lose its other marquee title.
The droughtlander between seasons has always been brutal, but this time there is no next season to anticipate.
The prequel series "Blood of My Blood" is in the works, but prequels are a gamble, and Starz knows it better than most.
What makes this moment fascinating is how Starz fits into the broader streaming wars.
It is not Netflix, it is not Max, and it is not trying to be.
The network has carved out a niche for steamy, character-driven genre fare with a devoted audience that shows up week to week.
That loyalty is real, but it is also finite.
When your two biggest shows are both ending, loyalty needs somewhere new to go.
The spin-off from Lionsgate means Starz now controls its own destiny, which sounds empowering until you remember that independence also means no corporate safety net.
Every greenlight is now a bet on the company's future.
The network has been leaning into crime dramas and thrillers, with projects like the "Spartacus" revival in development, but nothing has yet emerged as the obvious heir to the throne.
Starz costs around $10 a month as a standalone app, and subscribers are increasingly ruthless about cutting services that do not deliver.
A network built on appointment viewing is fighting for attention in an era of infinite scroll.
That is not a Starz problem alone, but it is a Starz problem right now.
The upside is that Starz has done this before.
It survived the end of "Spartacus." It survived the end of "Black Sails." It turned "Power" into a multi-show empire when everyone assumed it was a one-hit wonder.
The network's executives clearly understand their audience, and that audience is not going anywhere as long as the shows keep delivering the specific blend of soap, crime, and chemistry that Starz does better than almost anyone.
If the "Spartacus" revival lands and a new franchise emerges, Starz looks prescient.
If it does not, the network becomes a cautionary tale about what happens when your biggest hits age out at the same time.
My take: Starz has been underestimated for a decade, and writing it off now feels premature.
But independence means the margin for error is gone, and the network needs a new flagship fast.
Final Thoughts
The next greenlight might be the most important one in company history.