STV Player has set a new all-time monthly streaming record, delivering 16.4 million streams in January 2026 – around 500,000 more than its previous high of 15.9 million in November 2024.
STV said the result was driven by strong network programming alongside a mix of archive and acquired titles, attracting both regular viewers and new users across the month.
The broadcaster also credited the recent launch of the Soap Power Hour, which schedules Emmerdale and Coronation Street back-to-back from 8-9pm Monday to Friday. STV said the 7am drop on STV Player helped lift streaming of the soaps by 59% compared with the same month last year.
New dramas After the Flood and Red Eye (pictured) delivered a combined 2.6 million streams in January, while acquired titles including US legal drama Murder One and Canadian police procedural 19-2 also landed in the platform’s top 10.
Brookside, which STV acquired in 2023, averaged 1.2 million streams over the last 3 months, with STV attributing renewed interest in part to the Brookside/Hollyoaks tie-up in October. The soap has now generated more than 36 million streams on the service, with more than 800 episodes viewed.
Richard Williams, managing director of audience at STV, said the streamer had “smashed all our previous records” in January, pointing to a strategy built around network programmes and “carefully selected acquisitions”.
Looking ahead, STV said the Six Nations rugby – including the Calcutta Cup between England and Scotland – and coverage of the FIFA World Cup will be key drivers for STV Player in 2026.
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