StackTV

StackTV
Type of site	Internet television package
Available in	English
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Area served	Canada (nationwide)
Owner	Corus Entertainment
URL	www.stacktv.ca
Launched	June 3, 2019, 5 years ago

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.^[1]^[2]

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;^[2] 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),^[3] 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.^[4]^[5]

In January 2022, Corus announced plans to offer StackTV through Rogers Cable's IPTV-based Ignite TV and SmartStream services.^[6]

In February 2022, the Canadian version of Lifetime was added to the service.^[7]

StackTV added the Disney-branded Corus channels (Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) in December 2022.^{[citation needed]}

Programming

Channels currently offered through the service as of March 2023 include:^[1]

Adult Swim
Cartoon Network Canada (formerly Teletoon)
Disney Channel Canada
Disney Junior Canada
Disney XD Canada
Food Network Canada
Global (BC, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax)
HGTV Canada
The History Channel
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".^[8] 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.^[9]