The Situation
Aunty Donna built a global audience across YouTube, broadcast, and live performance.
But like most creators operating on third-party platforms:
- They didn’t own their audience
- Monetisation was constrained
- Growth depended on algorithms and commissioning cycles
At the same time, the Australian comedy industry lacked a scalable path for new formats and emerging talent.
The Decision
Instead of continuing to rely on platforms, Grouse House made a strategic shift:
Build a direct-to-fan platform, not rent one.
This meant:
- Owning the audience relationship
- Controlling distribution and monetisation
- Creating a long-term, scalable comedy ecosystem
The Vision
Grouse House TV was designed as:
- A home for Aunty Donna content
- A launchpad for new comedy talent
- A premium destination for fans
- A business, not just a channel
The Solution (Shift72)
Grouse House partnered with Shift72 to launch a fully owned streaming platform.
“Shift72 are the perfect partner to build this with us”
Shift72 enabled:
- Fully branded streaming platform
- Direct subscription and payment control
- Flexible release models (SVOD, drops, exclusives)
- Global distribution from day one
Most importantly:
- Full ownership of audience and data
- No reliance on third-party platforms
The Outcome (Phase 1: Launch)
Grouse House TV launches as:
- A hybrid model (free + premium content)
- A central destination for fans
- A scalable foundation for future growth
“This was about more than just launching another platform. It was about community and building something we actually control.’
What This Unlocks
Direct Audience Ownership
A true fan relationship, no intermediaries
New Revenue Streams
Subscriptions, exclusives, bundled experiences
Creative Freedom
No gatekeepers. No algorithm constraints
Scalable Platform
A long-term asset that compounds over time
The Bigger Shift
Grouse House TV represents a broader industry shift:
- From platforms → ownership
- From content → businesses
- From distribution → infrastructure
“We’re not relying on algorithms or third-party platforms to reach our fans, we have a direct relationship with them.”




