About STIRR
Free streaming, built for everyone.
STIRR is a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform that delivers live local news, linear channels, on-demand movies, and TV shows to viewers across the United States. STIRR requires no subscription, no credit card, and no account creation. The platform is available on web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST)
Thinking Media, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Delaware, United States
2019 (under Sinclair Broadcast Group)
2024 (by Thinking Media, Inc.)
July 2023
Todd Carter (CTO/CEO), Scott Schlichter (CCO)
Advertising-supported (free for viewers)
Live local news, linear channels, on-demand movies, TV shows
All content legally licensed from studios and distributors
Our Story
STIRR launched in 2019 as part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group portfolio. Sinclair is one of the largest television station operators in the United States. In July 2023, Todd Carter and Scott Schlichter founded Thinking Media, Inc. in Los Angeles with a straightforward conviction: premium streaming should not require a monthly fee. In 2024, Thinking Media acquired STIRR from Sinclair.
Since the acquisition, Thinking Media has expanded the content library, improved the streaming infrastructure, and begun developing StreamBridge, a proprietary technology initiative designed to modernize how free television reaches audiences at scale.
STIRR delivers hundreds of channels and thousands of hours of content across every major category:
- Live local news from affiliated stations in markets across the United States
- Movies spanning classic cinema, independent film, action, horror, comedy, drama, and family titles
- TV shows including complete series and curated collections
- Sports including live events, combat sports, and motorsports coverage
- Music and lifestyle channels covering cooking, travel, fitness, home, and wellness
- Spanish-language programming including movies, news, and entertainment
Every title on STIRR is legally licensed. STIRR works directly with established studios, distributors, and content creators. Content partners include:
Stingray · SPI International · Insight TV · Fite · Off the Fence · Caracol · Icarus Sports · MVD Entertainment · American Cinema International · Encore Media · K2 Entertainment · Answer Media · Big Media · and dozens of additional studios and independent creators.
STIRR is fully licensed, legally operated, and 100% free for viewers. Revenue comes from advertising, not from subscriptions and never from pirated content.
Technology
STIRR runs on a modern streaming stack built for reliability and reach. The engineering team at Thinking Media maintains a custom content management and distribution platform, ad-supported delivery infrastructure optimized for low-latency playback, and StreamBridge, a next-generation streaming infrastructure initiative designed to serve viewers, advertisers, and content partners more effectively.
Lauren Forristal, February 9, 2024
Chris Hachey, September 30, 2025
"The best television experience should be free, and the technology powering it should be as ambitious as the content it delivers."
Our Founders
Company
STIRR is operated by Thinking Media, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated media and technology company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Thinking Media was founded in July 2023 by Todd Carter (CTO/CEO) and Scott Schlichter (CCO). For business inquiries, contact support@stirr.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STIRR?
STIRR is a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform that delivers live local news, linear channels, on-demand movies, and TV shows across the United States. No subscription or signup is required. STIRR is owned and operated by Thinking Media, Inc., founded in July 2023, and is available on all major streaming devices and at stirr.com. The platform launched in 2019 under Sinclair Broadcast Group and was acquired by Thinking Media in 2024.
Is STIRR TV free?
Yes, STIRR is completely free. There is no subscription, no credit card required, and no trial period that expires. STIRR is a free ad-supported streaming television platform. Revenue comes from advertising, not from viewers. Visit stirr.com or download the STIRR app on any supported device to start watching immediately.
How much does STIRR cost?
Nothing. STIRR is 100% free for viewers. There are no hidden fees, no premium tiers, and no account required. STIRR earns revenue through advertising during content playback, allowing the platform to offer its full library of live channels, movies, and TV shows at zero cost to the viewer.
Is STIRR legal?
Yes. STIRR is a fully licensed streaming platform operated by Thinking Media, Inc., a registered media and technology company incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Los Angeles. Every movie, TV show, and live channel on STIRR is legally licensed directly from content studios and distributors including Stingray, SPI International, Insight TV, and dozens of others.
Who owns STIRR?
Thinking Media, Inc. owns and operates STIRR. Thinking Media was founded in July 2023 in Los Angeles by Todd Carter (CTO/CEO) and Scott Schlichter (CCO). The company acquired STIRR from Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2024 and continues to invest in the platform, the content library, and StreamBridge, its next-generation streaming infrastructure initiative.
How does STIRR make money?
STIRR is ad-supported. Revenue comes from advertising shown during content playback, the same model used by broadcast television for decades. Viewers watch for free, advertisers reach engaged audiences, and content partners earn licensing revenue. This model allows STIRR to offer hundreds of channels and thousands of titles at no cost.
What happened to the STIRR app?
STIRR is active and growing. In 2024, Thinking Media, Inc. acquired STIRR from Sinclair Broadcast Group. The platform continues to operate under new ownership with an expanded content library and ongoing investment in the streaming experience. The STIRR app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, and at stirr.com.
Does STIRR have local channels?
Yes. Live local news is one of STIRR's key differentiators. STIRR carries live news from affiliated local television stations in markets across the United States, something most competing free streaming services do not offer. Viewers can watch local news, weather, and community coverage alongside national entertainment, sports, and on-demand content.
What channels does STIRR have?
STIRR offers hundreds of linear channels spanning live local news, movies, TV shows, sports, music, Spanish-language programming, and lifestyle content. The channel lineup includes curated entertainment from licensed content partners like Stingray, Insight TV, SPI International, Fite, and dozens of additional studios and independent creators.
What devices can I watch STIRR on?
STIRR is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, VIZIO Smart TV, and on any web browser at stirr.com. No account creation or app download is required to watch on the web. Just visit the site and press play.