Biography

As President and CEO, Hirsch shapes the overall business and programming strategy for STARZ, the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences. Under his leadership, STARZ has become the only linear network to make a profitable transition to digital with approximately 70% of its revenue now fueled by a robust digital footprint, a particularly impressive accomplishment amidst unprecedented industry disruption.

Hirsch has driven the development of the company’s industry-leading, advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure, including the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app. In addition to advancing enterprise-wide innovation, Hirsch has solidified STARZ as the entertainment industry’s bundling partner of choice, overseeing high-profile bundle deals with several major broad-based streaming platforms.

Hirsch led STARZ to some of its highest profile projects and the strongest programming slate in its history, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, embodied by the network’s new brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Under Hirsch’s guidance, STARZ programming has achieved a record hit rate, with five series commanding an average of 9 to 12 million multiplatform viewers per episode. He has also overseen a successful track record of expanding franchises. STARZ’s globally recognized franchises “Outlander” and “Power” have maintained cultural relevance for over a decade, including several “Power” Universe spinoff series and the highly anticipated “Outlander: Blood of My Blood.”

During his tenure, Hirsch launched the #TakeTheLead initiative, the company’s comprehensive effort to deepen its existing commitment to its core audiences. STARZ has also been named to Fast Company’s “Brands That Matter” list, and received The Hollywood Reporter’s “Trailblazer” Award, the Humanitas Prizes “Voice for Change” Award and Reel Works’ “Change Makers” Award for leading the industry in representation on screen, off screen and throughout the company.

Hirsch joined STARZ in 2015, was promoted to COO in 2016 and has led the business since September 2019. He has played a key leadership role at STARZ since joining the company in July 2015 as president of global marketing and product development. With Lionsgate’s acquisition of STARZ in December 2016, Hirsch was instrumental in integrating STARZ into Lionsgate and identifying opportunities across their combined suite of OTT offerings.

Prior to joining STARZ, Hirsch served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, residential services, at Time Warner Cable. Hirsch was recognized in 2012 as the sole recipient of the Vanguard Award for Young Leadership and twice ranked by Forbes for his executive talents and influence in marketing and social media.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Hirsch is a director of the Board.