STARZ ENCORE Black is one of the more distinctive channels in the STARZ ENCORE lineup. Instead of focusing on one genre such as westerns, action, or suspense, the channel highlights Black actors, filmmakers, storytellers, and characters across a variety of movies and shows.

I have only watched STARZ ENCORE Black a handful of times over the years, so I don’t have the same personal history with this channel that I have with some of the other movie channels I have reviewed. Rather than pretend otherwise, I am going to focus on what STARZ ENCORE Black offers today.

We will look at the movies and programming you can expect to find, how its schedule works, where you can watch it, what it may cost, and whether it is worth adding to your lineup.

There is also one potentially confusing issue to clear up: STARZ ENCORE Black and STARZ In Black are two different channels. I will explain that distinction later in the review.

Let’s start with exactly what STARZ ENCORE Black is.

What Is STARZ ENCORE Black?

STARZ ENCORE Black is a commercial-free premium television channel and part of the STARZ ENCORE family. Unlike channels such as STARZ ENCORE Action, Suspense, or Westerns, it is not built around one particular movie genre.

Instead, STARZ ENCORE Black highlights Black storytellers, actors, filmmakers, and characters across a variety of programming. That can include drama, comedy, action, crime, romance, and other genres.

The channel dates back to December 2, 2013, when ENCORE Black replaced the former ENCORE Drama. STARZ introduced the redesigned channel with programming aimed at Black audiences, including movies, comedy, and television series.

Today, STARZ ENCORE Black continues that focus as one of the specialty channels within the larger STARZ ENCORE lineup.

That variety is what separates it from many of the other ENCORE channels. You are not tuning in knowing exactly what genre you will find—you are tuning in for programming built around a particular storytelling focus.

What Movies and Shows Are on STARZ ENCORE Black?

STARZ ENCORE Black offers a mix of movies and television programming rather than concentrating on one genre. You may find dramas, comedies, action movies, crime films, romances, and other types of entertainment throughout the schedule.

What ties the programming together is its emphasis on Black actors, filmmakers, storytellers, and characters.

That variety gives STARZ ENCORE Black a different feel from channels such as STARZ ENCORE Westerns or STARZ ENCORE Suspense. With those channels, you generally know what type of movie you are going to get. STARZ ENCORE Black can move from a comedy to a drama or action movie during the same day.

The lineup also changes regularly, so I would not subscribe because of one particular movie. A title airing today may disappear from the schedule later.

If you are considering the channel, check several days of upcoming listings first. That will give you a much better idea of whether its current programming matches what you enjoy watching.

STARZ ENCORE Black Schedule

STARZ ENCORE Black follows a traditional linear TV schedule, so movies and shows air at specific times throughout the day.

That means you cannot simply choose any title whenever you want. Instead, you watch what is scheduled or check ahead to see what is coming up.

Movies often repeat, which can be helpful if you miss an earlier showing. At the same time, frequent viewers may notice the same titles appearing more than once.

The easiest way to see what is playing is to check the STARZ schedule or your TV provider’s program guide. Since the lineup changes regularly, I recommend checking the current schedule before subscribing for any particular movie.

For me, there is still something convenient about turning on a movie channel and seeing what happens to be playing instead of searching through a large streaming library.

Does STARZ ENCORE Black Have Commercials?

No. STARZ ENCORE Black is a premium commercial-free channel, so movies and shows are not interrupted by traditional advertising breaks.

That is one of the biggest advantages of the channel, especially if you watch a lot of movies. A film can play straight through without being stretched out by repeated commercial interruptions.

You may still see brief promotional spots for STARZ programming between shows, but the movies themselves are presented without regular commercials.

Where Can You Watch STARZ ENCORE Black?

STARZ ENCORE Black is available through several live TV providers, although availability and pricing depend on the service and package you choose.

Philo includes STARZ ENCORE Black with its STARZ add-on, currently priced at $12 per month in addition to a Philo base plan. The add-on also includes several other STARZ and STARZ ENCORE channels.

Sling TV also carries STARZ ENCORE Black as part of its STARZ offering, currently listed at $11.99 per month. Sling provides the channel live along with its scheduled programming.

DIRECTV carries STARZ ENCORE Black on channel 540, although the package required may vary.

STARZ ENCORE Black generally is not something you purchase by itself. It is usually included as part of a larger STARZ package, so always check the exact channel lineup before subscribing.

How Much Does STARZ ENCORE Black Cost?

STARZ ENCORE Black does not have a separate monthly subscription price. Instead, it is normally included as part of a larger STARZ package.

For example, Philo currently charges $12 per month for its STARZ add-on, while Sling lists STARZ at $11.99 per month. Both packages include multiple STARZ channels rather than charging that amount just for STARZ ENCORE Black.

That is how I would judge its value. Instead of asking whether STARZ ENCORE Black alone is worth $12 a month, look at the entire STARZ package and decide how many of those channels you would actually watch.

STARZ ENCORE Black vs. STARZ In Black

STARZ ENCORE Black and STARZ In Black are two separate channels, even though their names sound very similar.

STARZ ENCORE Black is part of the STARZ ENCORE family, while STARZ In Black belongs to the main STARZ channel lineup.

Both channels feature programming that highlights Black actors, filmmakers, and stories, but they maintain separate schedules.

For example, DIRECTV lists STARZ In Black on channel 530 and STARZ ENCORE Black on channel 540.

If your provider carries both channels, it is worth checking both schedules because each may be showing something different.

STARZ ENCORE Black Pros and Cons

STARZ ENCORE Black has a clear identity, but whether it is a good fit depends on how much of its programming you would actually watch.

For me, the biggest advantage is the variety. STARZ ENCORE Black has a clear focus without being limited to just one type of movie.

The biggest drawback is that you usually have to pay for a larger STARZ package to get it.

For me, STARZ ENCORE Black is a good bonus channel if it is already included in a STARZ package I want, but I would not pay for a larger package just to get this one channel.

Who Is STARZ ENCORE Black Best For?

STARZ ENCORE Black is best suited for viewers who enjoy movies and shows featuring Black actors, filmmakers, characters, and stories but still want a variety of genres.

It may be a good fit if you:

• Prefer commercial-free viewing
• Enjoy drama, comedy, action, crime, and other genres
• Like traditional live movie channels
• Already subscribe to a STARZ package
• Want another movie option without adding a separate service

It is probably less appealing if you rarely watch linear TV or would need to buy a larger package just to get this one channel.

For most viewers, STARZ ENCORE Black makes the most sense as an added benefit of a STARZ package rather than the main reason to subscribe.

Is STARZ ENCORE Black Worth It?

Yes—if STARZ ENCORE Black is included in a STARZ package you already want, I think it adds worthwhile value.

You get commercial-free movies and shows, several different genres, and programming centered on Black actors, filmmakers, characters, and stories. That gives the channel a distinct identity within the larger STARZ ENCORE lineup.

I would not, however, subscribe to an expensive package solely to get STARZ ENCORE Black. The schedule changes, titles repeat, and you are usually paying for several STARZ channels rather than this one by itself.

My recommendation is simple: consider STARZ ENCORE Black a strong extra, not a reason by itself to buy STARZ. Check the current schedule first, then judge the entire STARZ package based on how much of it you would actually watch.

Final Thoughts

I have only watched STARZ ENCORE Black a handful of times over the years, so it is not a channel I have a long personal history with. Still, I can see the value it adds to the STARZ ENCORE lineup.

Its biggest strengths are the commercial-free viewing, variety of genres, and focus on Black actors, filmmakers, characters, and stories.

Would I subscribe to STARZ just for STARZ ENCORE Black? No. But if it were already included in a STARZ package I wanted, I would definitely consider it a worthwhile extra channel to have.

👉 Check the current STARZ ENCORE Black schedule before subscribing to see what is actually playing.

👉 Compare the STARZ packages available through your provider and make sure you are getting enough channels you will actually watch.

For me, that is what cutting the cord is all about—choosing the services and channels that fit the way you watch television.

I will watch what I want to watch, when I want to watch it.

Thanks for visiting,

Mark