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Yes. STARZ and STARZ Encore are related but distinct services. STARZ is the flagship premium network and streaming service, known for original series and movies. STARZ Encore is a companion, movie-focused family of channels featuring current hits, classic films, library titles and selected past seasons of STARZ series. Whether one subscription includes the other depends on how and where you subscribe.
STARZ vs. STARZ Encore at a glance
| STARZ | STARZ Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Flagship premium network and streaming service | Related family of movie-oriented channels |
| Programming emphasis | STARZ original series, premium series and movies | Current hits, classic and library movies, and selected earlier seasons of STARZ originals |
| How viewers usually get it | Directly through the STARZ app or website, or through a television provider | Most often through a cable, satellite or other television provider |
| Does having one guarantee the other? | No. Check the package and access rights. | No. Check the package and access rights. |
This is a practical distinction, not a promise that every title belongs to only one service. Movies and series rotate, and providers may carry different channel subsets.
What does STARZ mean?
“STARZ” can refer to the flagship television channel, the broader family of premium channels, the direct-to-consumer STARZ app and website, or the company behind them. Those are related, but they are not interchangeable terms. The company’s description of its services covers original series, movies and distribution through both its app and television providers.
The direct STARZ app is built around on-demand viewing, including STARZ originals and movies. STARZ advertises ad-free viewing, downloads and streaming across supported devices. Subscribers can buy directly or, in some cases, access the app through an eligible television-provider subscription.
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What is STARZ Encore?
STARZ Encore is not simply an old name for STARZ. It is a related channel family with a stronger focus on movie rotation: current hits, classic and library films, plus selected past seasons of STARZ original series. Its genre-branded channels include STARZ Encore Action, Black, Classic, Family, Suspense, Westerns and Español. Starz’s June 2026 affiliate channel sheet lists STARZ Encore and multiple Encore-branded feeds as active services; that does not mean every provider carries every feed.
Does STARZ include STARZ Encore?
Not automatically. A provider may bundle STARZ and Encore, sell them separately, include only selected Encore channels, or offer different combinations under similar package names. Starz says subscribers can receive only some of its brand groups, which can leave some content locked. Its support guidance on locked content explains that access depends on the subscriber’s provider entitlement.
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That is why a channel-guide listing is not a reliable substitute for checking the full package. Seeing one STARZ Encore channel does not necessarily mean you have the complete Encore family or the STARZ app library. Likewise, having STARZ through an app does not by itself establish that your television package includes every Encore feed.
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Can you buy or stream STARZ Encore through the STARZ app?
The current STARZ signup page advertises the STARZ streaming service, not a separate standalone STARZ Encore subscription. There is no clearly advertised Encore-only direct signup there. Encore is generally encountered through a participating television distributor, though provider arrangements differ.
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- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Do not assume that buying the standalone STARZ app is the same as buying every STARZ Encore channel from a TV provider. Provider-authenticated app access can also vary: a provider may unlock only the brands or content included in its agreement. If the app shows a lock, ask your provider which STARZ brands and channels your account includes; the issue may be an entitlement rather than an app problem.
Encore may be sold separately by a distributor. For example, DISH advertises STARZ Encore for $6 per month on its own offer page. That is a provider-specific price, not a nationwide Encore rate or a price available to every customer.
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- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
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- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Which one should you choose?
- Choose STARZ if you want its original series, premium programming and the direct app’s on-demand features, such as downloads for supported devices.
- Consider STARZ Encore if you want scheduled movie channels, classic and library films, genre-focused feeds or repeat access to selected earlier seasons of STARZ series.
- Consider both if you watch both kinds of programming and your provider’s bundle costs only a little more than either option alone.
For app-first, on-demand viewing, compare a direct STARZ subscription with the options from your existing provider. For channel surfing and scheduled movie feeds, inspect the provider’s specific Encore lineup. Neither service is automatically the better value: the answer depends on the programs you watch and the actual price and entitlements in your package.
How to check what your subscription includes
- Open your provider’s current channel lineup or premium add-on page.
- Look separately for STARZ, STARZ Encore and the individual Encore genre channels.
- Check whether the package includes STARZ app authentication, not just linear channels.
- Confirm the recurring price after any promotion, along with cancellation terms.
- If content is locked in the app, ask the provider which Starz brands and channels your account is entitled to receive.
Channel names, numbers, East and West feeds, package labels and availability can vary by provider and location. The details here describe U.S. offerings; similarly named services elsewhere may differ.
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STARZ pricing and promotions
On the STARZ signup page checked August 16, 2026, the standard price shown was $11.99 per month after promotional pricing, or $69.99 per year. One signup path displayed $5.99 per month for three months before the standard monthly price; other campaign pages may show different temporary offers. Treat the price and promotion as date-specific, and verify the amount that will recur before signing up. STARZ direct pricing does not establish the price of STARZ Encore through a television provider.
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