Advanced Television

AMC looks to the Starz

September 16, 2015

US cable network operator AMC Networks is currently holding talks to acquire John Malone’s TV network Starz, according to reports.

A combined AMC Networks and Starz would gain leverage in negotiating fees from pay-TV carriers, which have already paired off to lower costs as customers flock to online players like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Starz, which owns the Starz and Encore premium movie channels, couldn’t come to terms last year with potential buyers – which included AMC Networks – because of differences over valuation. Starz’s enterprise value has increased since then to more than $5 billion from about $4 billion, partly on speculation that Lions Gate Entertainment may buy the company.AMC Networks recently launched its first channel in the UK, available exclusively on BT.

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