HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "STARZ"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Starz Adds 90 Day Wait to Stream Original Content to Netflix

Mon Mar 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Starz, Netflix, Industry Trends (all tags)

The 90 day embargo marks a departure in the chummy relationship between Starz and Netflix.

Since early on, Starz and Netflix have been working hand in hand. They seem to get along well. Starz gives Netflix plenty of content and Netflix gives Starz its own category in the streaming section.

The once friendly partnership is making a change on April 1st as Starz will start embargoing its original programming and new release movies. That means you'll be about three months behind on 'Spartacus' if you're not watching it on Starz.

Steve Swasey of Netflix says that it's not going to happen. He says that Starz can't alter the way things work without renegotiating the contract.

Source: Home Media Magazine

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Netflix May Consider Tiered Streaming Services

Mon Mar 07, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Netflix, Starz (all tags)

Analyst Tom Eagan says a change in pricing is likely.

One of the things that people absolutely hate about cable is the tiered pricing for content. It makes selecting a package difficult and it allows the service to reach absolutely ludicrous prices. Sadly, one analyst at least sees that as the future of Netflix.

"We believe that the creation of a second Starz tier, comprised solely of Starz original programming, is one mechanism to renewing the Netflix deal," says Tom Eagan of Collins Stewart. " A separate, incrementally priced tier, could start to bring price parity to Starz content bridging the gap between the $8 per month Netflix subscriber pay and the higher premium pricing by cable and satellite operators."

Starz original programming, in case you were wondering, includes 'Sparticus' and very little else.

Source: Hacking Netflix

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


DISH Network Adds Starz MoviePlex

Fri Dec 03, 2010 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Dish Network, Starz (all tags)

The HD Platinum package just got a little bit better.

Getting something for free is a great feeling. Getting something good for free, like an extra movie channel on your cable package, is even sweeter.

If you subscribe to the DISH Network HD Platinum package, you're getting a brand new channel – Starz MoviePlex. If you're not familiar, MoviePlex is a little different than the usual movie channel. Rather than a hodgepodge of movies, the channel focuses on one genre a day.

The new channel will soon be available through DISHOnline so you'll be able to watch the movie selection on MoviPlex whenever your heart desires. It's also one more channel that you can get to with DISH Network's Remote Access, assuming you subscribe to the HD Platinum package.

"Starz is excited to broaden the distribution of our channels through not only DISH Network's TV service, but also via its on demand and online platforms," says Starz VP Ed Huguez.

Source: PR Newswire

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Starz Set to Launch Five New HD Channels

Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Starz, HD Programming (all tags)

Due out mid 2010, the expansion ups Starz HD offerings to nine high definition channels.

The lineup of new HD channels from the movie provider will include Stars Cinema HD, Starz in Black HD, IndiePlex HD, RetroplexHD and a west coast feed for Encore HD. All are presented in high definition, and with 5.1 channel audio Dolby Digital.

Ed Huguez, executive VP of sales and marketing for Starz says that thanks to the addition of HD channels in the past, their viewership, subscriber counts and customer satisfaction have been up significantly. Not surprisingly, he’s happy to see more HD Starz channels get out there. "We are pleased to extend the high definition reach of our channels next year and will begin working with our cable, satellite and Telco affiliates to bring them to consumers in the future,” he says.

No word yet on what channels will be available with what services, but expect to hear more before the speculated early to mid 2010 launch date.

Source: Press Release

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


'The Visitor' Coming to Blu-ray this October

Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Starz (all tags)

Anchor Bay Entertainment has issued retailers an October release for the acclaimed indie drama 'The Visitor.'

'The Visitor' earned high marks from top critics during its theatrical run this past Spring, and star Richard Jenkins' lead performance is already receiving Oscar buzz.

Anchor Bay will issue the Blu-ray on October 7, day-and-date with the standard.

Anchor Bay has yet to issue any tech specs for 'The Visitor,' but we expect the full announcement in the days ahead.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

As we await further details, you'll find preliminary specs for 'The Visitor' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 7.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Visitor (2008) (Blu-ray)

'Sex and Death 101' Coming to Blu-ray

Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Starz (all tags)

Starz Home Entertainment has announced an early-July Blu-ray bow for the dark indie romance 'Sex and Death 101.'

Written and directed by 'Heathers' scribe Daniel Waters, the Simon Baker-Winona Ryder black comedy grossed less than $10 million at the domestic box office during its short theatrical run earlier this year.

Starz will debut the Blu-ray version on July 1, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Announced supplements include an audio commentary with Waters, and a making-of featurette.

There are no tech specs yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Starz has set a suggested retail price of $34.98 for the Blu-ray.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Sex and Death 101' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 1.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Starz's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Sex and Death 101' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sex and Death 101 (Blu-ray)

Starz Returns to Blu-ray with 'Sleepwalking'

Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Starz (all tags)

After a next-gen hiatus of six months, Starz is back in the Blu-ray game with the early-July release of 'Sleepwalking.'

The first Blu-ray title released by Starz/Anchor Bay since 'To Kill a King' this past February, the Charlize Theron starrer and Sundance Film Festival selection 'Sleepwalking' will hit high-def on July 8, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Tech specs include 1080p/AVC MPEG- video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio.

Supplements are slim, with only a single featurette, "A Mother's Shame, A Family's Pain: The Making of Sleepwalking."

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Sleepwalking' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 8.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Starz's return in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Sleepwalking' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleepwalking (Blu-ray)
To Kill a King (Blu-ray)

'To Kill a King' Headed to Blu-ray

Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Starz (all tags)

Reaching all the way back to the 17th century for their latest high-def release, Starz Home Entertainment will debut the British drama 'To Kill a King' on Blu-ray this February.

An epic retelling of the turbulent historical relationship between the leaders of the New Model Army in the wake of the English Civil War, 'To Kill a King' received only a limited release in the United States back in 2003, but was a bigger hit in its native Britain.

Starz has set a February 26, 2008 date for the film's Blu-ray release. The title will list for a suggested retail price of $29.98.

There were no tech specs or supplement details available at press time for 'To Kill a King,' but we'll keep you posted as more information comes in.

In the meantime, you'll find preliminary disc details for 'To Kill a King' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 26, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Starz's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'To Kill a King' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
To Kill a King (Blu-ray)

Starz Plans Trip to 'Coney Island' on Blu-ray

Tue Nov 06, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Starz (all tags)

Digging deep into their back catalog, Starz will bring the cult classic 'Went To Coney Island On a Mission From God... Be Back By Five' to Blu-ray this January.

Although it registered barely a blip at the box office during its theatrical run in 1998, 'Coney Island' was one of the best-reviewed films of that year, earning it a January 15, 2008 Blu-ray debut.

No specs or supplemental details are yet available, although Starz/Anchor Bay did release a special edition of the film on DVD a few years back that contained an audio commentary, featurettes and other extras, so we can hope some or all of those bonuses will also appear on the Blu-ray.

Retail has been set at $24.98.

You'll find disc details for 'Went To Coney Island On a Mission From God... Be Back By Five' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 15, 2008. Stay tuned for final specs and box art...

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Went To Coney Island On A Mission From God... Be Back By Five (Blu-ray)

Specs, New Street Date for 'Masters of Horror - Vol. 4' Blu-ray

Mon Oct 15, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, Starz (all tags)

Arriving one week earlier than expected, the fourth and final volume of 'Masters of Horror: Season One' will include the highly controversial episodes "Homecoming" and "Imprint."

Originally announced for Blu-ray release on December 11, Starz has confirmed that 'Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Four' will instead street a full week earlier, on December 4.

Containing four episodes instead of the three on all previous Blu-ray releases of the series, 'Volume Four' is easily the most highly-anticipated of the bunch. In addition to 'Haeckel's Tale' (directed by John McNaughton) and 'Chocolate' (Mick Garris), the set includes Takishi Miike's 'Imprint' -- which proved so graphic that even Showtime refused to air it during the series' original broadcast run -- and Joe Dante's politically-charged 'Homecoming,' which both fans and critics have hailed as not only the best episode of the entire series, but also one of the best horror short films ever made.

Tech specs mirror the previous three 'Masters of Horror' Blu-ray releases, including 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfers (at 1.78:1 widescreen) and uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround audio tracks (48kHz/16-bit/4.6mbps).

Supplements include the same audio commentary tracks for each episode that were included on the previous DVD releases, but none of the previously released video-based supplements.

Retail is $29.98.

You find disc details for 'Masters of Horror: Season One - Volume Four' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under it's new date of December 4.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for this final installment of 'Masters of Horror: Season One' in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Four' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Four (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Re-Configured 'Masters of Horror' Gets Staggered Blu-ray Release (Jul 17, 2007)


MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "STARZ":

» High-Def Digest home page


Like Us!