Starz Entertainment (NasdaqGS:STRZ) Q4 2026 Earnings call February 26, 2026 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsAlison Hoffman - President of STARZ NetworksDoug Wardlaw - Media and Entertainment Equity Research AssociateJeffrey Hirsch - President and CEONilay Shah - Investor Relations ContactScott Macdonald - CFOConference Call ParticipantsBrent Penter - Equity Research AnalystDavid Joyce - Senior Equity AnalystMatthew Harrigan - Equity Research AnalystThomas Yeh - Executive Director and Equity Research Analyst ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - STARZ achieved an all-time high of 12.7 million OTT subscribers, growing year-over-year by 7.6% and adding 370,000 subscribers in Q4 alone [5][15] - Total revenue for the quarter was $323 million, up 60 basis points sequentially, driven by an increase in Distribution revenue [16] - Adjusted OIBDA for Q4 was $56 million, up over 100% sequentially, with a total of $204 million for the year, exceeding the $200 million outlook [17][18] - The company ended the year with a leverage ratio of 2.9x, better than the previous guidance of 3.1x [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The increase in OTT subscribers was partially offset by a decline in linear customers, with total U.S. subscribers growing to 17.6 million [15] - The growth in subscribers was driven by demand for scripted originals, including "Force" and "Spartacus" [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company restructured its Canadian business into a Licensing revenue stream, focusing on the U.S. market [9] - The transition to a content licensing relationship in Canada impacted revenue recognition, contributing to the sequential revenue growth [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - STARZ aims to increase margins to 20% by 2028, with a focus on owning more content and expanding its programming slate [10][22] - The company is positioned to capitalize on potential M&A opportunities due to increased consolidation in the media landscape [12] - STARZ plans to de-emphasize quarterly subscriber management and focus on long-term OTT revenue growth and profitability [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong start to 2026, driven by a compelling lineup of originals and a focus on underrepresented audiences [7][8] - The company expects unlevered free cash flow to range between $80 million and $120 million in 2026, with a continued focus on reducing leverage [18][19] Other Important Information - STARZ will not disclose subscriber numbers starting with the March 2026 quarter, focusing instead on revenue growth and profitability [12] - The company is excited about expanding bundling relationships, which are driving new additions and better retention [34][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through some of the moving pieces regarding OTT revenue and total revenue? - Management indicated that OTT revenue is expected to grow, with a slight improvement in margins anticipated for 2026, while significant improvements are expected in 2027 and 2028 [21][22] Question: What kind of assets would you be interested in for potential M&A? - Management highlighted the importance of complementary assets that can transition from linear to digital, emphasizing a cautious approach to leverage [25][27] Question: How do you rank order your capital allocation priorities as free cash flow improves? - Management noted that as free cash flow improves, they will consider returning cash to shareholders while continuing to invest in the business [28] Question: Can you discuss the retention patterns for subscribers from recent shows? - Management stated that the programming slate is designed to maintain subscriber retention throughout the year, supported by longer-term offers [32][33] Question: How do you view the demand environment for your programming internationally? - Management expressed optimism about the international market, particularly in the U.K. and France, and highlighted the strong relationship with Sky as a key partnership [48] Question: How do you plan to manage pricing strategy going forward? - Management indicated that they aim to remain underpriced compared to broad-based streamers, allowing room for future price increases [50] Question: How do you weigh starting new shows versus spin-offs of existing successful shows? - Management emphasized the importance of franchising successful shows like "Power" and "Outlander" to drive engagement and launch new IP [53][55]

Netflix has thrown in the towel and won’t be raising its offer for Warner Bros. to match a rival bid by Paramount — game changing news caps several days of action around the bidding war. Warner Bros. Discovery had just determined that the latest offer it received from Paramount was superior to the deal it signed with Netflix on Dec. 5. Netflix had four business days to match Paramount’s offer but co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters did not wait. They regretfully took the company out of the running, sayin ...

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery's board has deemed Paramount Skydance's revised cash offer of $31 per share as superior to the existing Netflix merger agreement, prompting Netflix to respond within four days [1] Group 1: Paramount's Bid - Paramount has submitted a revised all-cash bid of $31 per share to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in its entirety [1] - If the bid is approved, Paramount would incur a $2.8 billion termination fee owed to Netflix for backing out of their agreement, along with a daily ticking fee of $0.25 per share per quarter starting after September 30, 2026 [2] - Paramount would also be liable for $7 billion if the deal fails to meet regulatory requirements [2] Group 2: Netflix's Position - Netflix has been formally notified of the new bid and has the option to revise its offer or withdraw from the deal [3] - The decision on which proposal is superior will be made by Warner Bros. Discovery's board and its financial and legal advisors [3] Group 3: Background of the Deals - The original merger-acquisition plan between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery was announced on December 5 for $83 billion, which included stocks and cash [4] - The deal would allow Netflix to acquire HBO, HBO Max, and the Warner Bros. studio business [4] - Paramount's attempts to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery have led Netflix to switch to an all-cash deal in January [4] Group 4: Current Context - The announcement coincides with Warner Bros. Discovery's Q4 earnings call and a visit by Netflix's co-CEO to Washington, DC, amid the Paramount bid [5] - Opposition to the WBD-Netflix deal has been expressed by 11 state attorneys general, while President Trump stated he would not intervene in the situation [5]

Netflix now has four days to decide whether to raise its offer or bow out of the bidding for Warner Bros.' famed studio and its HBO Max streaming business. ...

The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger will come before a key Senate committee on March 4, a month after the same lawmakers heard testimony from the streamer’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos defending the transaction. The hearing has a pointed title, reflecting criticism of the deal coming from the chair of the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT): “The Second Act: Competition and Monopsony Concerns in the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Transaction.” The witnesses testifying have not yet been anno ...

Warner Bros. Discovery narrowed its losses in the fourth quarter as it was caught in a pas de trois with Paramount and Netflix over the sale of the company. The media giant reported a $252 million loss during the fourth calendar quarter of last year. That comes following a $494 million loss a year ago. Subscribers to HBO Max, meanwhile, topped 132 million, a 15 million jump from the fourth quarter of 2024. The streaming subscriber increase came as HBO Max launched in Germany and Italy. Pending launches ...

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing merger discussions between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and Paramount have prompted Netflix to consider its position, with speculation about whether it will increase its offer or withdraw from negotiations [1][2]. Group 1: Netflix's Position and Market Reaction - Netflix shares rose by 6% following the news of WBD extending merger talks with Paramount, despite a nearly 30% decline in its stock since last November [1][3]. - Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is actively engaging with political figures to bolster Netflix's case in the merger discussions [1][2]. - The company has maintained a commitment to disciplined capital allocation, indicating that it will not pursue the deal if the financials do not justify it [5][7]. Group 2: Merger Dynamics and Financial Considerations - WBD's board extended the negotiation window, suggesting that Paramount's improved offer could be seen as superior to Netflix's, which is currently at $27.75 per share [4][7]. - The shareholder vote on the Netflix transaction is scheduled for March 20, which adds urgency to the negotiations [4]. - Analysts predict that final bids may exceed the current $31 offer from Paramount, with expectations that Netflix may not justify a higher bid than $30 [7][8]. Group 3: Human Factors in Decision-Making - The decision-making process in mergers is influenced by the individuals in leadership positions, highlighting the importance of human factors alongside financial metrics [6][7]. - The dynamics of management beliefs and information asymmetry can significantly impact the outcome of the negotiations [7].

Netflix Co-CEO Sarandos to visit White House to discuss Warner Bros bid, Politico reports | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos attends the premiere for the final season of the television series "Stranger Things" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 6, 2025.... [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab] Read moreFeb 25 (Reuters) - Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos will a ...

The most likely outcome is that Netflix will walk away from the bidding war. That's good news for its shareholders. ...