Starz Names Disney Veteran Jim Kapenstein as Chief Legal and Strategy Officer

Starz announced Monday that Disney veteran Jim Kapenstein will become chief legal and strategy officer next week, reporting to President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch from the Santa Monica office.

Variety Magazine

Starz, split from Lionsgate in 2025, aims to own half of its originals by 2027. In March 2026, Allen Media Group founder Byron Allen bought a 10.7% stake, prompting Starz to adopt a poison-pill that activates at 17.5% ownership and expires March 10 2027 (extendable to 2029). Key figures include Kapenstein, Hirsch, Allen and Eagle Equity Partners chairman Harry Sloan.

The Wrap

Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said Kapenstein’s media-deal experience will support the next growth phase. The company said he will lead strategy across distribution, content acquisition, litigation, employment, regulatory compliance, M&A and governance.

Variety MagazineSTARZ appoints Jim Kapenstein as chief legal and strategy officerThe WrapStarz hires Disney exec for M&A, content acquisitions

Byron Allen criticized Starz’s refusal to give him a board seat, saying he would consider buying the whole company and taking it private if blocked.

The Wrap

Kapenstein’s hire equips Starz to manage complex M&A and expand its streaming portfolio while reinforcing governance. The poison-pill and Allen’s aggressive bid create a high-stakes ownership contest; Starz will monitor Allen’s stake and assess the defense as the March 2027 deadline approaches. The outcome will influence Starz’s competitive positioning in the evolving streaming market.

The Wrap

• “Few executives bring the breadth of experience Jim does with his involvement in some of the largest transactions in media history. His insight into guiding organizations through periods of transformation will be invaluable to us as we enter into our next phase of growth.” — Jeffrey Hirsch, President & CEO, Starz

Starz hires Disney exec for M&A, content acquisitions

• “I am honored to join Jeff and the Starz team at such an exciting time in the company’s growth and evolution. Starz has built an exceptional, profitable digital streaming business. I am looking forward to helping Jeff and his team shape the next stage of its growth and drive strategic direction through disciplined expansion, capitalizing on existing market opportunities and maintaining a best-in-class legal and corporate governance framework,” — Jim Kapenstein, Chief Legal & Strategy Officer, Starz

STARZ appoints Jim Kapenstein as chief legal and strategy officer

• “It was stupid. It’s not going to stop me. When I’m ready to buy the company, I will buy the entire company. I would like to keep the company public and invest more money into Starz,” — Byron Allen, Founder, Allen Media Group

The Wrap

• “I said, ‘I’m the second largest stockholder and you don’t want to offer me the board seat? Okay, it’s not a problem, I’ll just buy the whole company and fire everyone on the board’,” — Byron Allen, Founder, Allen Media Group

The Wrap