Starz (originally stylized as "Starz!" from 1994 to 2005, and presently as "starz" since March 2005) is an American premium cable and satellite television network that serves as the flagship service of Starz Inc..
In 1994, Starz – and sister networks Encore and MoviePlex – was able to make exclusive first-run film licensing agreements with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (including content from subsidiaries Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disneytoon Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature, and Touchstone Pictures since 1997).
The first-run film output agreement with Walt Disney Pictures eventually expired after December 2015, and Netflix assumed pay television rights the following month in January of 2016 (excluding films released by Touchstone Pictures, which will be retained by Starz through a separate contract).