Starz released its fourth quarter 2014 financials on Wednesday morning before the U.S. stock markets opened, reporting revenue of $425.6 million and net income of $77.4 million. Basic earnings per share was $0.78, while fully diluted EPS was $0.74.

Each of those measurements are up from the comparable three-month period last year, and the two metrics that analysts regularly predict — revenue and EPS — topped estimates. Wall Street had forecast earnings per share of $0.53 on $423.25 million in revenue, according to consensus numbers compiled at Yahoo Finance. Zacks saw EPS coming in at a penny lower.

Q4 revenue at Starz Networks grew three percent primarily due to rate increases from various distributors.

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At the end of December, Starz boasted 23.3 million subscribers — a new high — up from the prior quarter’s 22.5 million. Encore had 34 million subscribers — not a high.

For the full fiscal year 2014, Starz revenue was $1.664 billion, down from 2013’s $1.778 billion. However, profit and earnings per share rose year-over-year.

“Our fourth quarter results capped off a strong 2014, as we delivered solid increases in revenue, Adjusted OIBDA and a new high subscriber count at Starz. The 2014 performance at Starz validates the strategy undertaken to transform the company from primarily a movie-based provider to a true gold standard premium entertainment provider,” said Starz CEO, Chris Albrecht (pictured above). “We have tremendous momentum entering 2015 with our strongest and most diverse slate of original programming and opportunities to expand our reach globally. We believe Starz is well positioned for continued success.”

Also Read: Lionsgate Enters Stock Exchange Agreement With Starz, Adds John Malone to Board

Starz has repurchased $71.0 million, or 2.3 million of its shares, from Nov. 1, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2015. Since trading began on January 14, 2013, Starz has repurchased 18.6 percent of its outstanding shares.

On Tuesday, Starz Class A common stock (STRZA) closed at $31.58 per share, down $0.12 or a negative 0.38 percent.

Also yesterday, the pay-TV channel promoted Alison Hoffman to executive vice president of Marketing.

Also Read: Comcast Q4 Revenue Rises as NBCUniversal Broadcast, Theme Parks Grow Sales

Earlier in February, Starz and its biggest shareholder John Malone entered a stock exchange agreement with Lionsgate.

Under the deal, Lionsgate swapped newly issues shares representing 3.43 percent of its outstanding common stock on a pro forma basis for a piece of Malone’s Series A and Series B Starz common stock. Malone’s and his affiliates’ holdings represented approximately 4.51 percent of Starz common stock outstanding and 14.5 percent of the total voting power of Starz common stock.

Starz’s investor call is set for 1 p.m. ET, at which point this post will be updated with any pertinent information.

The Scene at TheGrill 2014: TheWrap's Media Leadership Conference (Photos)

Industry power players Sean Bailey, Doug Belgrad, Bill Bromiley, Josh Goldstine, Sue Kroll, Greg Silverman and Marc Weinstock formed a lively discussion on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes speak on stage during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests of TheGrill 2014 listen as TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman speaks on stage.
Actress Abigail Spencer addresses the crowd during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests of TheGrill 2014 listen as TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman speaks on stage.
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Filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Morgan Spurlock and TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman at day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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EPIX's Nora Ryan (L) and President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, Sue Kroll, catch up during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is interviewed by TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman while guests of TheGrill 2014 enjoy dinner on the patio.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer reflected on his career with producer Jason Blum during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“We pretty much own the whole value chain. We created new sports, new series," Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell says during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap's Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch
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Who's breaking the sound barrier? TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III discuss the topic during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“We do a lot of good things with Fox and we always have … we work together in all kinds of ways," Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes says during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III and TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman mingle with attendees during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan gives day two's keynote address during TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell talk about the future of branded content during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Saban Films President Bill Bromiley discussed the future of moviemaking, marketing and distribution on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheGrill 2014 brings together the leaders, deciders and disrupters.
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Universal Pictures President of Worldwide Marketing Josh Goldstine was part of a "Presidents Roundtable" panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Warner Bros. Creative Development and Worldwide Production President Greg Silverman participated in a roundtable panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Twentieth Century Fox Film President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing Marc Weinstock was part of a high-profile panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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When does a mogul become a legend? NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer and producer Jason Blum discussed that topic on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell discuss Brell's approach during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell hits the red carpet on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell were the two panelists discussing branded content day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap contributor Jon Erlichman arrives at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline speaks on stage during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell chat during TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline goes over new product presentations during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap Deputy Managing Editor Mike Fleeman tells the crowd about the Weekend Wrap iPad app during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests mingle on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014. This year is the fifth annual conference.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes discussed cutbacks, the new NBA deal and more topics during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Internet marketer Jeffrey R. Gund arrives at TheWrap's Grill 2014.
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C4 R&D Head of Content Assessment Miriam Brin (L) and C4 R&D CEO Vincent Bruzzese hit the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“Mobile is changing everything,” PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III says on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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20th Century Fox International SVP of Digital Strategic Marketing Bettina Sherick (L) and Producer Sev Ohanian attend day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Morgan Spurlock was a hit among the audience on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan discuss the state of AMC on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch and actress Abigail Spencer kick off day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan Sapan is credited with building some of television’s most influential entertainment brands and shows on television.
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NELAT Founder and CEO Salo Zirdok (L) gives a presentation on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Crowdfunder Founder and CEO Chance Barnett helped bring innovation and disruption to early-stage finance for entrepreneurs.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline joined Flink's Dan Steneker and Mark Owens of Corbis Entertainment for a discussion on new product presentations.
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Guests enjoy dinner on the opening day of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO of Global Consumer Engagement Frank Cooper III gets interviewed on the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sharon Waxman with Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes and PepsiCo, Inc. CMO of Global Consumer Engagement Frank Cooper III on the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures Sue Kroll and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes pose on the red carpet on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President Doug Belgrad joined in a lively discussion with other Hollywood execs on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures Sue Kroll was promoted to her current role in June 2013.
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Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production President Sean Bailey oversees all aspects of live-action development, film production and physical production for Walt Disney Pictures.
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TheWrap Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch interviews "Rectify" star Abigail Spencer on day 2 at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sue Kroll oversees the strategic creation and implementation of marketing campaigns for Warner Bros. Pictures' global releases.
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"Rectify" star Abigail Spencer, Sharon Waxman and AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan pose for the cameras at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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"Rectify" star Abigail Spencer is a talented actress, writer and producer.
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CAA's Brian Weinstein, Evolution Media Capital's Rick Hess, Shamrock Capital's Andrew J. Howard and Greycroft's Dana Settle speak about entertainment financing at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Evolution Media Capital Founder and Co-Managing Partner Rick Hess was part of an interesting panel on day 2 of the event.
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Who's financing the future entertainment economy? Shamrock Capital Partner Andrew J. Howard shares his thoughts at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Greycroft Founding Partner Dana Settle heads the firm's West Coast office.
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Guests enjoy a networking lunch sponsored by C4 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests mingle and converse on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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C4 R&D CEO Vincent Bruzzese gives his presentation on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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SGN Co-Founder and CEO/MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe
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Moderator Jon Erlichman talks to YouTube Co-founder and Mixbit CEO Chad Hurley and SGN Co-Founder and CEO/MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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MiTu Network Founder and President Beatriz Acevedo was one of the innovators sharing their expertise at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014's final panel.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer and Jason Blum conduct the spotlight interview at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer is the former president of the Creative Artists Agency.
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Indiegogo Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer Danae Ringelmann; Crowdfunder Founder and CEO Chance Barnett; Lenore Zerman, Partner at Liberman Zerman Management and Crescendo Productions; and moderator Brent Weinstein revealed the latest in crowdfunding efforts.
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Indie film producer Sev Ohanian, an innovator winner, chats with TheWrap VP Sales Caren Gibbens during day 2 of TheWrap's Grill 2014.
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Guests mingle during day 2 of TheWrap's Grill 2014, which is the fifth annual media leadership conference.
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TheWrap's SVP of Sales Caren Gibbens and Director of Sales Nicole Winters
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Moderator Jon Erlichman, MiTu Network Founder and President Beatriz Acevedo, BuzzFeed Motion Pictures President Ze Frank, TAPP Co-Founder Jeff Gaspin and producer Sev Ohanian discuss how they're shaking up Hollywood during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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BuzzFeed Motion Pictures President Ze Frank is one of the creative innovators recognized at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TAPP Co-Founder Jeff Gaspin is an innovative player in the digital media space.
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EPIX Chief of Staff Nora Ryan introduces the Innovators panel during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Producer Sev Ohanian listens to the discussion among his fellow innovators at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Entertainment, media and technology converge at TheWrap’s fifth annual Grill Conference at the Montage Beverly Hills

Industry power players Sean Bailey, Doug Belgrad, Bill Bromiley, Josh Goldstine, Sue Kroll, Greg Silverman and Marc Weinstock formed a lively discussion on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.

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