Starz revamps Encore channels

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Starz Entertainment Enhances ENCORE with ENCORE ESPANOL, More HD, and New Channels

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Entertainment is improving ENCORE, the nation\'s most popular premium network with more than 33 million subscribers, with changes across its family of channels.  Expected to launch on August 1, 2011, the new ENCORE offerings will fortify the value proposition of the ENCORE brand and its companion multiplex channels for existing subscribers and enhance the ability of Starz Entertainment\'s multichannel affiliates to attract new ones.

Launch ENCORE ESPANOL - The eighth ENCORE channel, ENCORE ESPANOL, will mirror the programming of the flagship ENCORE channel, with big Hollywood movies uncut and commercial free for Spanish-language households.  

ENCORE FAMILY Replaces ENCORE WAM - ENCORE FAMILY will satisfy the growing demand for ad-free channels safe from objectionable content. Following the success of STARZ KIDS & FAMILY, ENCORE FAMILY will leverage quality family-friendly movie programming for all audiences.

ENCORE SUSPENSE Replaces ENCORE MYSTERY - ENCORE SUSPENSE will expand the channel\'s reach by offering more programming options and further engage the audience for dramatic programming.

HD for ENCORE ACTION and ENCORE DRAMA - ENCORE ACTION HD and ENCORE DRAMA HD, two of the most popular ENCORE theme channels, will be the company\'s 10th and 11th Hi-Def channel launches.

MOVIEPLEX - MOVIEPLEX will become its own discreet, commercial-free premium channel and will no longer simulcast a daily rotation of the ENCORE channels. The change will drive even more variety for MOVIEPLEX with incremental movie programming that strengthens each of the respective brands. The new MOVIEPLEX will provide affiliates with even more flexibility in delivering premium content to their subscribers.

"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 vice president 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."

"We have listened to our affiliates and crafted these changes to meet new opportunities in the marketplace," said Ed Huguez, executive vice president, sales and affiliate marketing.  "These enhancements will fortify the channels and – especially for ENCORE ESPANOL – position our affiliates to capitalize on new opportunities which leverage our quality premium movie programming and grow their businesses."

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® brands with approximately 18.8 million and 33.1 million subscribers respectively.  Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands.  Starz Entertainment (//www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation and is attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group (NASDAQ: LSTZA)

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Another revamp is coming on December 2nd

Encore Drama will become Encore Black
Encore Love will become Encore Classic

HD feeds will also launch for Encore Classic and Encore Suspense

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Movieplex HD will also launch on December 2nd