StackTV
StackTV is a Canadian subscription-based video streaming service operated by Corus Entertainment, offering live linear television and on-demand episodes from a curated selection of popular channels spanning entertainment, drama, lifestyle, reality, news, and children's programming.[1][2] Launched on June 3, 2019, as an add-on package for Amazon Prime Video Channels, it provides access to over 15,000 episodes and movies, with new content typically available on-demand within 24 hours of its initial broadcast.[3][2] The service features a core lineup of channels, including flagship networks such as Global, Flavour Network, Home Network, W Network, History, Adult Swim, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, Treehouse TV, and YTV, with later expansions adding the Disney Channel in December 2022 (while Disney Junior and Disney XD, also added then, were discontinued in September 2025).[3][4][5][6][7] This mix caters to diverse audiences, delivering hit series, blockbuster movies, and exclusive premieres in genres from comedy and action to family-oriented content, all while maintaining an ad-supported model with limited commercials on on-demand viewing.[8][2] StackTV is accessible across multiple platforms in Canada, including Amazon Prime Video, Rogers Ignite TV, Fubo, and the Bell Fibe TV app, allowing streaming on smart TVs, mobile devices via iOS and Android, and web browsers.[9][10][11] Pricing is set at $14.99 per month after a free trial period, though it varies slightly by provider and requires an existing subscription to a compatible service like Amazon Prime in some cases.[2][11] Designed for cord-cutters, StackTV emphasizes "stacking" current-season episodes for binge-watching, bridging traditional linear TV with modern streaming convenience, and has expanded partnerships to reach broader audiences without necessitating a full cable bundle.[8][12]History
Launch
On June 3, 2019, Corus Entertainment announced the launch of StackTV, a new subscription video streaming package designed as a cord-cutting alternative for Canadian viewers seeking access to live and on-demand content from Corus-owned networks.[3] The service was positioned to deliver premium linear television outside traditional cable bundles, targeting Amazon Prime subscribers with a bundle of 12 channels featuring a mix of entertainment, lifestyle, news, and factual programming.[13] StackTV initially launched in Canada exclusively through Amazon Prime Video Channels, requiring an active Amazon Prime subscription for access.[14] Available shortly after the announcement, the service offered live streaming of channels alongside on-demand libraries, enabling users to watch current episodes and select archived content via the Prime Video app on supported devices.[15] The initial pricing was set at $12.99 per month plus taxes, with a 7-day free trial available to new subscribers to sample the offerings. The announced initial channel lineup for StackTV included Global, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, HISTORY, Adult Swim, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Teletoon, Treehouse TV, and YTV, providing diverse programming from news and reality to documentaries and animation.[3][15] This selection highlighted Corus's strategy to aggregate its specialty networks into a single streaming add-on, appealing to viewers ditching cable for flexible, app-based TV consumption.[16]Developments
In February 2022, Corus Entertainment partnered with Rogers Communications to make StackTV available on Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream platforms, allowing Rogers customers to add the service to their TV packages with the first month free.[17][18] In July 2022, Corus Entertainment expanded StackTV's distribution through a partnership with FuboTV, making the service's live channels and on-demand library available to Canadian subscribers via FuboTV's new Premium package priced at C$34.99 per month.[19][20] In December 2022, StackTV added Disney-branded channels including Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD, providing live streaming and on-demand episodes from these networks to subscribers.[4] StackTV further broadened its availability in December 2023 with its launch on the Bell Fibe TV app, allowing existing subscribers in Ontario and Quebec to add the service for $10 per month and access live streams alongside thousands of hours of on-demand content exclusive to the platform.[21][22] This expansion continued into January 2025, when Corus and Bell extended their multi-year agreement to include Flavour Network (replacing Food Network Canada) and Home Network (replacing HGTV Canada) within StackTV on the Fibe TV app, effective from late 2024, enhancing lifestyle programming options for subscribers.[23][24][5] In September 2025, Disney Junior and Disney XD were removed from StackTV due to expired licensing agreements, while Disney Channel remained available.[25] By 2025, StackTV's content library had grown to over 15,000 episodes and movies, emphasizing live TV alongside expanded on-demand access to series across genres like drama, reality, and comedy.[2] This buildup supported feature enhancements, such as deeper integration of on-demand libraries for providers like Bell Fibe, where subscribers gained improved navigation for exclusive content not available elsewhere.[21] Pricing for StackTV adjusted upward to $14.99 per month by late 2025 on its standalone subscription, reflecting broader market trends in streaming costs, though provider-specific rates like $10 on Bell Fibe remained lower.[2][21] Corus Entertainment's strategy during 2023-2025 focused on adapting to the streaming market through annual content refreshes, including the June 2024 announcement of a 2024/25 lineup featuring Peacock originals and celebrity-driven series streamed exclusively on StackTV, alongside financial recapitalization efforts in November 2025 to reduce debt and sustain digital investments.[26][27] These moves addressed revenue declines of 11% in fiscal 2025 by prioritizing OTT growth and selective programming renewals, such as non-renewal of certain output deals expiring in December 2024.[28][29]Programming
Channels
StackTV features a lineup of 15 channels, primarily owned by Corus Entertainment, offering a mix of live linear programming and on-demand access to episodes from these networks. These channels deliver diverse content across entertainment, lifestyle, documentary, and family programming, with many providing exclusive early access to Corus original productions not available on free-to-air or other subscription services.[30][2][8]- Global: As Corus's flagship national broadcast network, Global delivers primetime scripted series, reality competitions, news broadcasts, and local programming to audiences across Canada.
- Flavour Network: This lifestyle channel focuses on culinary arts, featuring cooking competitions like Top Chef Canada, food adventures, and original Canadian series; it rebranded from Food Network Canada in December 2024 to emphasize fresh, Canadian-curated content.[5][31]
- Home Network: Dedicated to home improvement and design, the channel airs renovation shows, DIY projects, and inspirational lifestyle programming; it succeeded HGTV Canada in December 2024 with an emphasis on Canadian originals like Rock Solid Builds.[5]
- W Network: Targeting women's interests, it specializes in lifestyle, fashion, health, and relationship-focused reality series and talk shows.
- HISTORY: The channel presents non-fiction programming on historical events, ancient civilizations, science, and modern mysteries, including long-running series like Curse of Oak Island.
- Adult Swim: An adult-oriented animation block, it offers irreverent comedy, late-night sketches, and animated series aimed at mature audiences.
- Slice: This reality TV network highlights unscripted content on pop culture, true crime, and celebrity lifestyles, appealing primarily to female viewers.
- Showcase: A premium entertainment channel, it focuses on high-concept dramas, sci-fi, thrillers, and international acquisitions like Bel-Air.
- National Geographic: Devoted to documentary storytelling, the channel explores wildlife, exploration, science, and human adventure through acclaimed factual series.
- Lifetime: Specializing in movies and series for women, it features dramas, true stories, romances, and reality formats centered on empowerment and relationships.
- Cartoon Network: Aimed at children aged 6-12, it broadcasts animated series, adventures, and comedies from Warner Bros. and international partners.
- Disney Channel: Providing family-friendly live-action and animated content, it includes original movies, series, and musicals for kids and tweens, with reduced new programming as of September 2025 following Corus's shutdown of related kids channels.[7]
- Treehouse: Geared toward preschoolers aged 2-6, the channel offers educational animation, sing-alongs, and interactive shows to support early learning.
- YTV: Targeting kids aged 9-14, it delivers action-packed animation, live-action comedies, and game shows with a focus on fun and adventure.
- DTour: This travel channel showcases destination guides, adventure travelogues, and cultural explorations from around the world.