STIRR Reports One Million Downloads

STIRR, a free, ad-supported linear channel streaming service with access to live local news, fan-favorite TV shows and digital-first content brands in the U.S., is has reached one million app downloads six months after its launch.

Owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the streaming service has experienced continuous audience growth, largely due to its focus on providing viewers across the country with unparalleled access to live local news and a lineup of free linear TV channels, according to the company.

“We launched STIRR with the base premise that all of the national OTT services were ignoring the value of local programming, and in particular live local news,” said Christopher Ripley, Sinclair’s president-CEO. “Hitting the 1 million download milestone, combined with the immediate success of the STIRR City channel, has confirmed our strategy, creating the foundation for continued growth. We are excited to be at the forefront of OTT, and believe STIRR will play an important role in the streaming future of local broadcast TV.”

STIRR is anchored by the STIRR City channel, a new direct-to-OTT local “independent TV station.” The STIRR City channel features a 24/7 program lineup based on an individual viewer’s city, including live local news, fan favorite syndicated TV shows, movies, sports and city-focused lifestyle programming.

Since launch, STIRR City has been the most watched channel on the service, “further cementing the importance of live local news in the exploding OTT space,” according to the company.

Alongside the STIRR City channel, the service offers more than 30 additional OTT TV channels including Buzzr, Comet, Charge, Stadium, Dove Channel, Dust, Con TV and Shout Factory.

According to Sinclair, a of July 16, STIRR’s six month anniversary, the streaming service has experienced steady growth across key metrics, including:

• One million app downloads
• 76% of downloads and 85% of viewership is through connected TV devices (Roku, Fire TV, tvOS)
• Viewers on average watch STIRR twice a week (up 50% since launch) for one hour at a time (up 200% since launch)
• STIRR City is the No. 1 most watched channel with live local newscasts ranking as the No. 1 most watched program

Over the next six months, STIRR is on target to add 10 new national channels as well as new STIRR City channels not covered by the Sinclair Broadcast Group footprint.