Starz Takes $147M Charge to Exit Universal Film Deal, Posting $189.4M Q2 Loss

Starz posted a $189.4 million net loss in Q2 2026, up from $42.5 million a year earlier, after taking a $147 million restructuring charge to terminate its pay-2 film output deal with Universal Pictures — a deal giving Starz second-run movie rights. CEO Jeff Hirsch cited "lower viewership than we originally projected." CFO Scott Macdonald said final cash payments to Universal are due in 2028. (Variety)