Lionsgate content firm Starz has joined the global direct-to-consumer party with the rollout of an all-new international Starzplay app in Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico and the UK.
Starzplay will be available in Europe and Latin America on Apple TV, in France, Germany, Mexico and the UK on Amazon Prime Video channels and on the following local platforms: in Mexico on izzi and Totalplay; in Spain on Orange and Vodafone; in the UK on Virgin Media; in France on Orange and as Starz in Canada in alliance with Bell Media.
Starz has enjoyed great success with the app in the US claiming to date 5.6 million over-the-top customers. Explaining the rationale for the launch Starz CEO Jeffrey A. Hirsch said: “Expanding our direct-to-consumer product into the global arena with the launch of the Starzplay app gives subscribers seamless entry to our platform and premium content on their device of choice, while also providing us with access to key consumer data insights as we continue to position ourselves for success in the evolving content ecosystem.”
The new app will give access to a library containing hundreds of films and TV series, including Starz Originals such as the recently debuted The Spanish Princess and Dublin Murders, as well as critically acclaimed, curated series including The Act and drama Mr. Mercedes and hit movies like Hitch, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and No Country for Old Men.
The Starzplay app allows up to four users to watch simultaneously and enjoy offline downloads of select content. App users can enjoy personalised recommendations of shows and movies based on users’ previous viewing interests and select their preferred language for audio or captions. The premium pay-TV streaming service is available through iPhone, iPad, as well as on a wide range of Android supported devices.
Looking at the rollout, Starz subscribers from Totalplay in Mexico can currently authenticate and stream content using the Starzplay app. Other international cable, satellite and telco partners will soon be able to authenticate into the app and Starz plans to launch the service in an additional 20 countries in 2020.