Stan (streaming service) explained

Stan Entertainment Pty Ltd
Location:Sydney, New South Wales
Country:Australia
Predecessor:StreamCo Media (2014)
Area Served:Australia
Services:Streaming service
Revenue:A$149.1 million (H1 FY2021)[1]
International:No
Owner:Nine Digital
Parent:Nine Entertainment
Website Type:OTT video streaming
Registration:Monthly subscription required to access content
Users: 2.6 million (as of 22 February 2023)[2]
Language:English
Current Status:Active

Stan (stylised as Stan.) is an Australian subscription over-the-top streaming service. It was launched on 26 January 2015.[3] Stan originally was founded as StreamCo Media, a 50/50 joint venture between Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media. In August 2014, each company invested A$50 million in StreamCo.[4] StreamCo was renamed Stan Entertainment in December 2014, prior to the January 2015 launch of the streaming service. Nine Entertainment acquired Fairfax Media in 2018, making Stan a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Digital.

The service offers a broad range of film and television content from both local and foreign productions, particularly from the United States and United Kingdom. Stan also includes a growing library of their own original film and television content. With over 2.6 million subscribers, as of June 2023 Stan is the fourth largest streaming service in Australia, behind Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.[5]

Stan's original comedy No Activity became the first SVOD program ever nominated for a Logie Award at the 2016 ceremony.[6]

Content

At launch, the first major programming announcement was the exclusive rights to the premiere season of Better Call Saul as well as the rights to Breaking Bad, which previously aired on Foxtel.[7] It also held the rights to Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle.[8]

The company has a content partnership deal with Sony Pictures,[7] ABC,[9] SBS and its World Movies subsidiary,[10] Paramount Global,[11] Amazon MGM Studios,[12] BBC Worldwide,[13] Showtime,[14] CBS,[14] Village Roadshow,[15] and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.[16] In December 2014, Stan signed non-exclusive agreements with ABC Commercial and Viacom, with the latter covering Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon programming.

In August 2015, Stan signed a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, bringing several new U.S. series to the platform, including Australian premiere series A to Z and Selfie, as well as the third season of The Following (the first two seasons aired on the Nine Network). In 2016, Stan reached an exclusive multi-year deal with CBS Corporation, which included exclusive rights to Showtime original programs (before the launch of Paramount+ in August 2021).[17]

On 13 December 2018, Stan reached a content agreement with Disney to carry films and television series.[18] The agreement ended in late-2019 due to the launch of Disney+.[19] [20] On 20 August 2019, Stan reached an agreement with Paramount Pictures, carrying some of its films, and series such as The Great and Looking for Alaska.[21] In August 2020, Stan reached a multi-year agreement with NBCUniversal for rights to content from Sky Studios and its U.S. streaming service Peacock.[22] Eventually, the Foxtel Group made a deal with NBC Universal in 2022 to be the home of newer Peacock shows, following the expiration of NBC Universal's deal with Stan.[23]

Stan Original

See main article: List of Stan original programming. Stan commissioned its parent company, the Nine Network, to produce original Australian drama series exclusive to the service and approached ABC and SBS on the possibility of co-producing shows and films.[24]

On 16 February 2015, Stan announced it was developing two original series: a Wolf Creek series, and a political drama based on the life of High Court judge Lionel Murphy titled Enemies of the State, with additional productions to be announced in the coming months.[25]

On 1 May 2015, Stan announced its first commissioned series, a comedy titled No Activity;[26] which premiered on 22 October 2015.[27] Stan renewed No Activity on 15 December 2015 for a second season.[28]

Series developed and aired by Stan are known as Stan Original series.[29]

Acquired exclusives

The following is a list of acquired programs which have had their Australian premiere on Stan.

Stan Sport

Stan Sport
Location:Sydney, New South Wales
Country:Australia
Area Served:Australia
Services:Sports television distribution
Products:
International:No
Owner:Nine Digital
Parent:Nine Entertainment
Website Type:OTT video streaming
Registration:Monthly subscription required to access content
Language:English
Current Status:Active

In November 2020, Stan began to acquire sports rights in association with Nine's Wide World of Sports. These events are carried in a new add-on subscription known as Stan Sport, while the Nine Network holds free-to-air rights to portions of these packages.

In 2021, Stan and Nine began a three-year contract with Rugby Australia to air rugby union on the Nine Network and Stan. Ending a long-standing agreement with Fox Sports and Network 10, Stan holds the pay television rights, streaming all Super Rugby and Super W matches live and ad-free, as well as coverage of inbound tests involving Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa, club matches, The Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup, and the Shute Shield, among others.[30] [31]

Stan and Nine also acquired rights to the French Open and Wimbledon tennis tournaments.[32]

In June 2021, Stan announced the acquisition of the rights to UEFA club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League beginning in August 2021. In the same announcement it was also revealed that the Australian Open would be broadcast on the platform.[33]

SportEventBroadcast partnersDatesNotes
Summer OlympicsParis 2024, Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 20322024, 2028, 2032
Summer Paralympic GamesParis 2024, Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 20322024, 2028, 2032
Winter OlympicsMilan Cortina 2026, French Alps 20302026, 2030
Winter Paralympic GamesMilan Cortina 2026, TBA 20302026, 2030
Winter Youth OlympicsGangwon 20242024
CyclingUCI Road World Championships2022–present
Motor racingSpeedSeries2022–2023
Motor racingIndianapolis 5002022–present
Motor racingIndyCar Series2022–present
Motor racingFormula E World Championship2022–presentAll races and qualifying sessions live and on-demand.[34]
Motor racingWorld Endurance Championship2022–present
Motor racingWorld Rally Championship2022–present
Rugby unionSix Nations2022–presentAll matches live and on-demand
Rugby unionSuper Rugby PacificNine Network2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
Rugby unionSuper W9Go! or 9Gem2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
Rugby unionWallabies testsNine Network2021–presentAll test matches featuring the Wallabies live and on-demand; including the Bledisloe Cup
Rugby unionWallaroos tests2021–presentAll test matches featuring the Wallaroos live and on-demand
Rugby unionThe Rugby ChampionshipNine Network2021–presentEvery championship match live and on-demand
Rugby unionPremiership Rugby2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand[35]
Rugby unionShute ShieldNine Network2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
Rugby unionJapan Rugby League One2021–presentSelect matches live and on-demand[36]
Rugby unionSix Nations Championship2021–All matches live and on-demand
Rugby unionWomen's Six Nations Championship2022–All matches live and on-demand
Rugby union2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa2021TBC
FootballUEFA Champions League9Gem (final only)2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
FootballUEFA Europa Conference League9Gem (2025–, final only)2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
FootballUEFA Europa League9Gem (final only)2021–presentAll matches live and on-demand
FootballUEFA Super Cup2021–presentLive and on-demand
TennisAustralian OpenNine Network2022–present
TennisFrench OpenNine Network2021–presentAll matches on all courts live, some available on-demand.
TennisWimbledon ChampionshipsNine Network2021–presentAll matches on all courts live, some available on-demand.
TennisThe Laver Cup2021–presentAll matches on all courts live, some available on-demand.
TennisUS OpenNine Network2021–presentAll matches on all courts live, some available on-demand.

Magazine programs

SportProgramYears
Rugby UnionRugby Heaven2021
Rugby UnionWraparound2021
Rugby UnionConversation with Campo2021
Rugby UnionClub Land2022
Rugby UnionBreakdown2021 (Sky Sport simulcast)
Rugby UnionRugby Nation2021 (Sky Sport simulcast)
Rugby UnionAotearoa Rugby Show2021 (Sky Sport simulcast)
Rugby UnionPlay Makers Rugby Stories2021 (Sky Sport simulcast)
Rugby UnionSky Rugby Club2021 (Sky Sport simulcast)
FootballStan Sport FC2021
FootballTwo Up Top2021
TennisGrand Slam Daily2022

Commentators

Rugby Union

Tennis (French Open, Wimbledon)

Football (Champions League)

Stan Event

Stan Event is a add-on pay-per-view proposition for boxing events.

Marketing and subscription numbers

At launch, Australian actress Rebel Wilson promoted the service.[37]

Parent company Fairfax Media claimed they were approaching 100,000 customers by March 2015, however, many of these customers were on a 30-day trial period.[38] In May 2015, Fairfax announced the service was nearing 200,000 subscribers and had a target of 300,000 to 400,000 by the year's end.[39]

In May 2015, Roy Morgan Research found that Netflix had 1.039 million Australian users, compared to 97,000 for former competitor Presto and 91,000 for Stan.[40] In October 2015, Nine Entertainment claimed that Stan had between 150,000 and 200,000 paying subscribers, which they said was ahead of Presto's estimated 100,000 customers.[41]

One year after its launch, CEO Mike Sneesby announced that 1.5 million users had used the service across almost 700,000 subscriptions.[17] In December 2016 Stan claimed to have 600,000 active subscribers.[42] In November 2017 it was reported that the service had over 800,000 active subscribers and revenue topping $100 million a year.[43]

Stan reached 1 million active subscribers in June 2018.[44] By December 2019, the service had over 1.8 million subscribers.[45]

As of August 2020, Stan passed the 2 million subscriber mark reaching 2.1 million subscribers in total.[46]

As of May 2021, Stan passed 2.3 million active subscribers and more than 4 million people that had entered their credit card details on the platform. Stan gained nearly 150,000 sport subscribers since it began broadcasting rugby union matches earlier this year.[47]

Subscribers

Date Paying Subscribers Total SubscribersStan Sport Subscribers Ref
not stated 100,000n/a
91,000200,000n/a
200,000not stated n/a
600,0001,500,000n/a
800,000not stated n/a
1,000,000+not stated n/a
1,800,000not stated n/a[48]
2,000,0002,100,000n/a
2,300,000not stated 150,000
2,500,000not stated not stated[49]
2,600,000not stated not stated[50]

Supported devices

Hardware supported

The devices on this list are supported by Stan:[51]

Stan does not support jailbroken iOS devices.[57]

Software supported

Supported web browsers by platform:[58]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Half Yearly Report and Accounts. 24 February 2021. Australian Securities Exchange. 20 May 2021.
  2. Web site: Mediaweek . 2023-02-22 . Nine Entertainment reports revenue lift, profit drop, Stan's subs at 2.6m . 2023-06-08 . Mediaweek . en-AU.
  3. Web site: Mumbrella. 22 January 2015. 22 January 2015. Video streaming service Stan to launch on Australia Day.
  4. News: Dominic. White. Fairfax, Nine announce joint venture streaming service. 5 November 2014. Sydney Morning Herald. 8 December 2014.
  5. Web site: 2023-08-28 . Australia's subscription entertainment market growth eases but remains vital . 2023-10-19 . Telsyte . en-AU.
  6. Web site: Stan's No Activity scores first Logie nominations for SVOD platform. IF.com.au. 4 April 2016. 22 April 2016.
  7. Web site: Nic. Christensen. Mumbrella. 5 November 2014. 8 December 2014. Streaming service Stan to have 'truly Australian character', secures exclusive rights to Breaking Bad spin off.
  8. Web site: Miranda. Ward. Mumbrella. 6 January 2015. 6 January 2015. Stan signs Amazon Prime shows, announces pricing and kicks off pre-launch campaign.
  9. Web site: Alex. Hayes. Mumbrella. 15 December 2014. 15 December 2014. Presto picks up HBO content but Game of Thrones 'won't not be available on SVOD services worldwide'.
  10. Web site: Miranda. Ward. Mumbrella. 26 November 2014. 8 December 2014. SBS and World Movies to be available on streaming service Stan.
  11. Web site: Stan signs deal with Viacom. 17 December 2014. 27 January 2015. Mumbrella.
  12. News: Idato. Michael. Australian streaming service Stan signs deal with MGM and secures Fargo. Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 2014. 27 January 2015.
  13. Web site: Miranda. Ward. Mumbrella. 2 December 2014. 8 December 2014. Nine and Fairfax's streaming service Stan signs content deal with BBC Worldwide.
  14. Web site: Michelle. Herbison. Marking Mag. 8 December 2014. 8 December 2014. Media Monday. 10 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210014131/http://www.marketingmag.com.au/news/media-monday-stan-to-stream-showtime-and-cbs-tv-shows-isentia-to-scrape-newspaper-content-sbs-outsources-broadcast-playout-59374/#.VIUpU3sas-I. dead.
  15. Web site: Don. Groves. C21 Media. 28 January 2015. 1 February 2015. Stan snags Roadshow.
  16. Web site: TV Tonight. David. Knox. Stan signs content deal with Warner Bros.. 11 August 2015. 11 December 2015.
  17. Web site: Stan now the official Australian home of Showtime. 28 January 2016. 28 January 2016. Mediaweek.
  18. Web site: Disney, Stan sign new content deal. The Sydney Morning Herald. Duke. Jennifer. 13 December 2018. 28 January 2019.
  19. Web site: Samios. Zoe. 2020-08-06. ViacomCBS set to unveil Showtime streaming plans for Australia. 2020-08-25. The Sydney Morning Herald. en.
  20. Web site: Duke. Jennifer. 2019-11-17. All eyes on Disney+ as streaming landscape prepares for shakeup. 2020-08-25. The Sydney Morning Herald. en.
  21. Web site: Frater. Patrick. 2019-08-21. Stan Australian Streamer Inks Content Deal With Paramount. 2020-08-25. Variety. en.
  22. Web site: Samios. Zoe. 2020-08-25. Stan lands new deal with NBC Universal. 2020-08-25. The Sydney Morning Herald. en.
  23. Web site: Foxtel Group and NBCUniversal announce major multi-year content deal . 2 November 2022 .
  24. Web site: 10 November 2014. StreamCo to Show Class With Content. 19 December 2014. Australian Financial Review.
  25. Web site: Knox. David. 16 February 2015. Stan developing local Aussie dramas Wolf Creek, Enemies of the State.. 25 February 2015. TV Tonight.
  26. Web site: Knox. David. 1 May 2015. Stan announces first local commission, No Activity. 1 May 2015. TV Tonight.
  27. Web site: Knox. David. 15 October 2015. Airdate: No Activity. 15 December 2015. TV Tonight.
  28. Web site: Knox. David. 15 December 2015. Renewed: No Activity. 15 December 2015. TV Tonight.
  29. Web site: Stan announces new epic family drama series Prosper . nine.com.au . 26 September 2022 . 28 February 2024.
  30. Web site: 2020-11-09. Rugby Australia signs deal with Nine to stream games on Stan. 2020-11-11. www.abc.net.au. en-AU.
  31. Web site: Nine unveils Stan Sport OTT service after striking AUS$100m Rugby Australia deal. 2020-11-12. SportsPro. 9 November 2020 .
  32. Web site: Mediaweek. 2020-11-11. Stan Sport confirm tennis deal, reveals first live sport coming next February. 2020-11-12. Mediaweek. en-AU.
  33. Web site: 28 June 2021. Stan Sport acquires UEFA Club Competition rights.
  34. Web site: Stan Sport lands exclusive, multi-year rights to FIA Formula E World Championship. Wide World of Sports. 27 January 2022. en. 2022-01-27.
  35. Web site: Perry. Kevin. 18 September 2021. STAN SPORT SECURES NEW BROADCAST DEAL FOR ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP RUGBY. TV BlackBox.
  36. Web site: Glamor rugby comp lands with Stan Sport. Wide World of Sports. MSN.com. 19 February 2021.
  37. Web site: Chris. Pash. Business Insider Australia. 5 November 2014. 8 December 2014. Here's How Australia's New Streaming Service 'Stan' Is Squaring Up To Netflix. 8 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141208102912/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/this-is-how-streamcos-stan-is-making-it-difficult-for-netflix-to-open-properly-in-australia-2014-11. dead.
  38. Web site: Stan on track to hit 100,000 subscribers, says Fairfax. Mumbrella. 18 February 2015 . 3 March 2015.
  39. Web site: Stan on track to hit 100,000 subscribers, says Fairfax. AdNews. 11 May 2015.
  40. Web site: Netflix wins the streaming battle with 1m users – ten times more than rivals Presto and Stan. Mumbrella. 23 June 2015.
  41. Web site: Stan's paying subscribers revealed. if.com.au.
  42. Web site: Amazon Prime Video just launched, but is there any room for it?. Mashable. 15 December 2016 .
  43. Web site: The Stan Experience. TV Tonight. 29 November 2017 .
  44. Web site: Stan hits 1 million subscribers, announces new Australian programs. Lallo. Michael. 5 June 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 11 June 2018.
  45. Web site: 2020 HALF YEAR RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT. 26 February 2020. Nine for Brands. 21 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200401214552/https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ASX-Release-H1-FY20.pdf. 1 April 2020. live.
  46. News: Mason . Max . Coronavirus streaming surge unlikely to be temporary . 17 August 2020 . Monday, 17 August 2020 . The Australian Financial Review . 17 August 2020 . en . Stan has lifted to 2.1 million.
  47. Web site: Samios . Zoe . Nine shares rise as Stan Sport subscriptions revealed . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 4 May 2021.
  48. Web site: 2020 HALF YEAR RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT. 26 February 2020. Nine for Brands. 21 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200401214552/https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ASX-Release-H1-FY20.pdf. 1 April 2020. live.
  49. Web site: Shepherd . Emma . Stan grows subscribers and revenue in full year financial results . Mumbrella . en . 25 August 2022.
  50. Web site: Mediaweek . 2023-02-22 . Nine Entertainment reports revenue lift, profit drop, Stan's subs at 2.6m . 2023-06-08 . Mediaweek . en-AU.
  51. Web site: Stan Support – What devices can I use to watch Stan?. 5 January 2015. Stan.
  52. Web site: Stan joins Apple TV. Knox. David. 13 May 2015. TV Tonight. 8 October 2015.
  53. Web site: TV Tonight. David. Knox. Stan joins Playstation. 7 October 2015. 8 October 2015.
  54. Web site: THE PS5 WILL HAVE STAN AND 7PLUS MEDIA APPS ON DAY ONE. PressStart.com. Shannon. Grixti. 23 October 2020. 11 November 2020.
  55. Web site: O'brien. Lucy. STAN NOW ON XBOX ONE. IGN. 12 January 2016. 13 January 2016.
  56. Web site: Apple TV is Coming to the Xbox Series X and S in Australia. Gizmodo. Tegan. Jones. 3 November 2020. 11 November 2020.
  57. Web site: Can I use Stan on a jailbroken phone?. Stan Support.
  58. Web site: Stan Support – Supported Browsers. 5 January 2015. 5 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150105113320/http://help.stan.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/202845584-Do-you-recommend-the-use-of-any-particular-web-browser-for-Stan-. dead.