Type of site | streaming multi-channel platform |
---|---|
Owner | Sinclair Broadcast Group |
Website | stirr |
Commercial | Yes |
Launched | 16 January 2019 |
Current status | Active |
Stirr is a free, ad-supported streaming service owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group available through a website and apps for iOS, Android devices and various streaming TV devices, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku.
History
Sinclair Broadcast Group began developing its technological infrastructure for the service before July 2017. The Stirr streaming service was announced by Sinclair in October 2018. Sinclair hired Scott Ehrlich to head up the service and hired staff in Los Angeles and Seattle.[1] Stirr was launched on January 16, 2019[2] via a website and apps for iPhones, Android devices and various streaming TV devices,[2] Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku.[3]
Channels
Stirr draws on programming from the Sinclair TV stations and other streaming live channels. Some program would be available on demand.[2] Users do not have any geographic restrictions on what they can view.[4] There were 20 national channels at launch on January 16, 2019[3] with expectations of having 50 by the end of the year.[4][3]
- Stirr City is the main channel which pulls content based on the location/station you select. When network programming runs on its local channel, Stirr City carries an alternate schedule drawing from the other Stirr channels. WJLA-TV/Washington, D.C. is set as the default if no Sinclair news-carrying station is nearby.[2]
- Stirr Movies
- Stirr Sports
- Stirr Life
- Buzzr
- Charge!
- Cheddar - business news
- Comet - sci fi[4]
- CONtv - genre[4]
- Dove Channel - family[4]
- Dust
- FailArmy
- Futurism
- Gravitas
- Mobcrush
- MovieMix
- NASA TV
- Outdoor America
- The Pet Collective
- SOAR - drone footage produced by local Sinclair stations[5]
- Stadium
- The T - a channel from the Tennis Channel[6]
- TBD - viral video clips,[4] includes the part-time KidsClick children's programming network
- World Poker Tour
Business
Stirr general manager is Adam Ware.[7] Sinclair vice president of emerging platform content is Scott Ehrlich,[4] under whom the streaming service was built.[1]
While currently free, Sinclair plans on adding a premium pay tier of programming.[1] Sinclair Digital, Compulse and Sinclair’s local stations would coordinated between them with ad revenue shared with content partners.[3] Compulse is Sinclair's digital advertising unit. Sinclair would be promoting it through its local stations. Sinclair has its own streaming platform, called Hummingbird.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Bloom, David (December 6, 2018). "Sinclair's Ripley STIRRs The Pot For New National, Localized Streaming Service". Forbes. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Anderson, Mae (January 16, 2019). "Sinclair debuts Stirr streaming service for its local TV stations". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Perez, Sarah (January 16, 2019). "TV broadcaster Sinclair launches STIRR, a free streaming service with local news and sports". TechCrunch. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Littleton, Cynthia (January 16, 2019). "Sinclair Enters Streaming Arena With Entertainment Bundle and Local Channels". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ Farrell, Sarah (January 29, 2019). "Sinclair's SOAR franchise finds another home on STIRR platform". Knight-Cronkite News Lab. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ Ellingson, Annlee (January 16, 2019). "Sinclair stirs up streaming with new platform". L.A. Biz. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ a b Lafayette, Jon (January 16, 2019). "Sinclair Launching Stirr With National, Local Programming". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 17, 2019.