Starz Refreshes Encore Slate

ENGLEWOOD: Starz Entertainment is making changes across its Encore lineup of movie channels, with the revamped slate set to include a new channel, Encore Español, while Encore WAM will be rebranded as Encore Family.

The revised slate will be available to Encore’s more than 33 million subscribers August 1. Encore Español feature the programming of the flagship Encore channel, in Spanish. Encore Family replaces Encore WAM, delivery family-friendly movie programming for all audiences. Encore Suspense will replace Encore Mystery, broadening the channel’s programming slate. In addition, Encore Action and Encore Drama will go HD. Meanwhile, Movieplex will become its own discreet, commercial-free premium channel and will no longer simulcast a daily rotation of the Encore channels.

"Encore and its companion theme channels are the most heavily subscribed to premium services in the marketplace today, and with these enhancements to the lineup, we see a great opportunity to make them even more popular," said Stephan Shelanski, executive VP of programming for Starz Entertainment. "With consistently strong viewership, Encore has long been viewed as a great value for affiliates and their subscribers given the quality movie product and flexibility we provide affiliates in packaging the premium service."