StackTV
{{Short description|Canadian subscription video streaming package}}
{{Infobox website
| name = StackTV
| logo = StackTV logo.png
| logo_size =200px
| owner = Corus Entertainment
| location_city = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| area_served = Canada (nationwide)
| website_type = Internet television package
| key_people =
| launch_date = June 3, 2019, 5 years ago
| language = English
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.stacktv.ca}}
| users =
}}
StackTV (stylized in all-caps as STACKTV) is a Canadian subscription video streaming package offered by Corus Entertainment. It was announced on June 3, 2019 and was originally offered through Amazon's Prime Video Channels; the offering launched shortly thereafter as an add-on for Amazon Prime subscribers.{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5344114/stacktv-corus-tv-package-amazon-prime-canada/|title=Corus launches STACKTV, a multi-channel TV package for Canadian Amazon Prime members|work=Global News|date=June 3, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/12/16/stacktv-go-streaming-live-tv-for-cord-cutters/|title=Corus' StackTV wants cord-cutters to stream live TV|first=Ted|last=Kritsonis|work=MobileSyrup|date=December 16, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2020}}
StackTV functions similarly to a virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD, or "Live TV" service), providing access to Corus-owned television channels, including both live linear feeds and on-demand programming during Corus' term of license. The service is intended for cord-cutters; providing access to Corus' linear channels through over-the-top media services without the need for a traditional TV service subscription (unlike the Global TV app, which requires an authenticated subscription through a cable service provider). In contrast to the defunct subscription streaming service Shomi (which was operated as a joint venture between Rogers Sports & Media and Corus' sister company, Shaw Communications),{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/27/rogers-and-shaws-streami_n_7450482.html|title=Shomi, Rogers and Shaw's Streaming Service, To Launch Across Canada This Summer|first=Victoria|last=Ahearn|work=HuffPost (via The Canadian Press)|date=May 27, 2015|access-date=October 29, 2020}} StackTV initially offered no exclusive programming beyond that seen on Corus's linear networks and their own on-demand content.
StackTV is one of two, Canadian-based, Live TV services; RiverTV would launch a year later in 2020.
History
In December 2021, StackTV premiered Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas day-and-date with Peacock in the United States, prior to its linear premiere on W Network the following month.{{cite news|url=https://torontosun.com/entertainment/television/alison-sweeney-joins-days-of-our-lives-holiday-flick|title=Alison Sweeney joins Days of Our Lives holiday flick|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=November 26, 2021|access-date=January 12, 2022}}[https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/corus-entertainment-s-specialty-drama-networks-showcase-and-w-network-announce-winter-2022-premiere-dates-featuring-12-new-and-returning-titles-800711149.html Corus Entertainment's Specialty Drama Networks, Showcase and W Network, Announce Winter 2022 Premiere Dates Featuring 12 New and Returning Titles]
In January 2022, Corus announced plans to offer StackTV through Rogers Cable's IPTV-based Ignite TV and SmartStream services.{{cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/corus-sells-250-hours-of-content-expands-stacktv-distribution/|title=Corus sells 250 hours of content, expands StackTV distribution|first=Jordan|last=Pinto|work=C21Media|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=January 21, 2022}}
In February 2022, the Canadian version of Lifetime was added to the service.{{citation|title=STACKTV NOW AVAILABLE ON ROGERS IGNITE TV AND IGNITE SMARTSTREAM|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/stacktv-now-available-on-rogers-ignite-tv-and-ignite-smartstream-841013012.html|access-date=February 22, 2022|work=Newswire|date=February 9, 2022}}
StackTV added the Disney-branded Corus channels (Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) in December 2022.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Programming
Channels currently offered through the service as of January 2025 include:
- Adult Swim
- Cartoon Network Canada (formerly Teletoon)
- Disney Channel Canada
- Disney Jr. Canada
- Disney XD Canada
- Flavour Network (formerly Food Network Canada)
- Global (BC, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax)
- The History Channel
- Home Network (formerly HGTV Canada)
- Lifetime Canada
- National Geographic
- Showcase
- Slice
- Treehouse
- W Network
- YTV
Reception
Corus announced in June 2020 that the service had achieved 200,000 subscribers, with executives saying the service had become a "meaningful part of [the company's] portfolio".{{cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2020/06/29/doug-murphy-on-peacock-deal-stacktv-growth-and-corus-studios/|title=Doug Murphy on Peacock deal, StackTV growth and Corus Studios|first=Jordan|last=Pinto|work=Playback|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=September 26, 2020}} By June 2021, the combined number of subscribers to StackTV and Corus' other Amazon-based service, Nick+, had increased to over 600,000 subscribers, similar to those of other streaming services.{{cite web|url=https://mediaincanada.com/2021/06/29/corus-revenue-up-in-q3-with-a-slight-year-to-date-dip/|title=Corus revenue up in Q3, with a slight year-to-date dip|first=Jordan|last=Pinto|work=Media in Canada|date=June 29, 2021|access-date=October 15, 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.stacktv.ca}}
- [https://www.primevideo.com/stacktv StackTV landing page on PrimeVideo.com]
{{Video on Demand Services in Canada}}
{{Corus Entertainment}}
Category:Subscription video on demand services
Category:Internet properties established in 2019