The Roku Channel Explained

The Roku Channel
Type:Over-the-top media service
Developer:Roku, Inc.
Key People:Anthony Wood, Charlie Collier
Platform:Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Android TV, Samsung smart TVs

Web browsers: running on PCs, smartphones and tablets
Status:Active (USA, Canada, the U.K., Mexico)
Pricing:Free with ad support, Paid subscriptions
Members: 120 million viewers (2023)

The Roku Channel is an over-the-top video streaming service owned and operated by Roku, Inc. It was launched in September 2017.[1] [2] The service tops U.S. viewership for free ad-supported streaming TV and reports 120 million viewers as of 2023.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

The Roku Channel is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. It offers over 400 free live linear TV channels, more than 80,000 free movies and shows,[9] and access to paid content. The service can be streamed using streaming devices and smart TVs from Roku as well as other providers,[10] or using web browsers running on PCs, tablets or smartphones.

History

2017–2019: Launch in North America

The Roku Channel was launched in September 2017 as a free, ad-supported streaming television service ("FAST"),[11] available to viewers in the U.S.[12] Roku's CEO Anthony Wood stated in the same month that the channel was a "way for content owners to publish their content on Roku without writing an app".[13] By August 2018, the channel had expanded to Canada, and a website version of the service was launched, allowing it to be accessed via any web browser.[14] [15] In August 2018, The Roku Channel was also reported to have signed content licensing deals with Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lionsgate, Disney, and Paramount Pictures. Additionally, the service offered content from existing partners including American Classics, FilmRise, Nosey, OVGuide, Popcornflix, Vidmark, and YuYu.

2020–2022: Expansion into the U.K., Mexico

April 2020 saw the launch of The Roku Channel in the U.K.[16] In January 2021, Roku announced that it had acquired the original content library of the defunct mobile video service Quibi for an undisclosed amount, reported to be around $100 million, for availability on The Roku Channel.[17] [18] The content was rebranded as Roku Originals.[19] In August 2021, The Roku Channel was reported to add CBC, AccuWeather Now, FilmRise True Crime, Haunt TV, and IGN for free streaming.[20]

By March 2022, The Roku Channel included news services such as ABC News, Bloomberg, Cheddar, NBC News, Newsy, People TV, Reuters, USA Today, WeatherNation, and Yahoo Finance, all available for free streaming.[21] [22] [23] In October 2022, the channel was launched in Mexico.[24] According to Deadline Hollywood, October 2022 also saw Charlie Collier, previously the CEO of Fox Entertainment, join Roku as the President of Roku Media to manage ad platform business and content for The Roku Channel and more.[25] Later, in December 2022, Roku announced that it would sign a agreement with the Miss Universe Organization to broadcast the 70th (2022) and 71st (2023) editions of the Miss Universe beauty pageant in the United States, making the first time the pageant would broadcast on streaming television, after several years on linear television.[26]

By the end of 2022, The Roku Channel was offering premium subscriptions for over 50 services including Discovery+, Paramount+,[27] MGM+, Showtime, Starz,[28] HBO,[29] AMC+, Shudder and Acorn TV.[30] Moreover, The Roku Channel was reaching U.S. households with a total population of 100 million, in Roku's estimates.[31] [32] The Roku Channel was also reportedly the most popular FAST service in the U.S. in 2021 and 2022.

2023–present: Viewership growth

In February 2023, BGR reported that Roku announced the addition of nearly 2000 hours of on-demand content to The Roku Channel. This content included offerings from HBO, HBO Max, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Warner Bros. Television. Moreover, this content would be available to stream for free.[33]

In August 2023, it was reported that The Roku Channel was adding several NBCUniversal services as free, ad-supported options. These included NBC News Now, Dateline, Today All Day, NBC local stations, regional Telemundo news channels, Universal Action, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Sky News International, The Rotten Tomatoes Channel, and a Universal Crime channel.[34] [35] Further, The Roku Channel became available on Google TV and other Android TV OS devices, in addition to Roku-branded streaming devices and smart TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Apple TV, and Samsung smart TVs.[36] [37] Moreover, a report by Variety in September 2023 stated that The Roku Channel offered more than 80,000 TV shows and movies and access to premium content.[38] The Roku Channel reported 120 million viewers by the end of 2023.

In January 2024, Roku announced an agreement with Formula E to air all but 5 races per year. Roku was slated to also air Recharge, a studio program aired 24 hours after every race.[39] According to The Wrap in February 2024, The Roku Channel offered over 400 free live linear TV channels and distributed content from over 250 partners. In April 2024, National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a partnership with Roku to launch "NBA Fast", the first FAST channel from NBA, on The Roku Channel.[40] Roku also announced an agreement with NBA to air more than 40 NBA G League games during the 2024–25 season.[41] In May 2024, The Roku Channel secured a multiyear rights agreement with Major League Baseball to stream live the league's Sunday Leadoff games for free.[42]

In June 2024, measurement firm Comscore found The Roku Channel to be the most popular among all free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) streaming services in the U.S.[43] Later, U.S. TV viewership data from Nielsen for July 2024 showed that The Roku Channel gathered 1.6% of all U.S. TV use and ranked among the top seven streaming services, trailing YouTube (10.4%), Netflix (8.4%) and Prime Video (3.4%).[44] [45]

On August 12, 2024, Roku launched a new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) sports channel, Roku Sports Channel, which would be available on The Roku Channel. At launch, the sports channel will show live events from MLB Sunday Leadoff, Formula E and the NBA G League and live studio programming from The Rich Eisen Show and GMFB: Overtime.[46]

Content

Free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST)

Below is a partial list of live TV channels included in The Roku Channel for free streaming:

Advertising video on demand (AVOD)

The Roku Channel offers viewers to watch a selection of advertising video on demand content for free, requiring no subscription fee.[62] This content includes movies from Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Sony Pictures and Warner Brothers, and videos from publishers such as American Classics, Fandor, FilmRise, Nosey, OVGuide, Popcornflix, Vidmark, and YuYu. The channel also delivers about 2000 hours of content from Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV series and movies, including content from HBO, HBO Max, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and more.[63] Moreover, it offers for free a part of the "premium content" from Showtime, MGM+, Cinedigm and Acorn TV, with no subscription or trial required. The offering includes On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Showtime), Godfather of Harlem (Epix), America The Story of Us (HISTORY Vault), Heartland (Dove Channel), and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (Acorn TV).[64]

The Spanish AVOD titles free to watch on The Roku Channel include Hernan (A+E Networks), Hunting Ava Bravo (Wild Sheep Content, Top Dead Center Films, Chollawood Productions), A la Mala (Lionsgate), Enamorada (Cisneros), Amor Comprado (Cisneros), Seasons 1-3 of El Señor de los Cielos (NBCUniversal Telemundo), El Chema: Edición Especial (NBCUniversal Telemundo), Seasons 1-2 of Señora Acero (NBCUniversal Telemundo).

The Roku Channel also includes original content, including that in Spanish, in form of Roku Originals.[65] [66] Content creation partners for the Roku Originals include Cisley Saldaña, Liz Jenkins, Mariel Saldaña, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Rich Eisen, and “Weird Al” Yankovic.[67] Spanish-language content creation partners include Jennifer Lopez, Juanpa Zurita and Jaime Camil.

Premium subscriptions

The Roku Channel offers premium subscriptions for various services including Discovery+, Paramount+, HBO, MGM+, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax,[68] AMC+, Shudder, Acorn TV, Fuse Plus,[69] and Vix Premium.[70]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roettgers . Janko . Roku Veers Into Programming With Launch of Ad-Supported Movie Channel . . March 23, 2022 . September 6, 2017 . July 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220730144007/https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/roku-channel-avod-1202548017/ . live .
  2. Web site: Lacoma . Tyler . November 3, 2022 . What is The Roku Channel? Content, cost, and how to use it . February 10, 2023 . Digital Trends . en . February 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210182841/https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/what-is-the-roku-channel/ . live .
  3. Web site: Roth . Emma . April 29, 2023 . These are the FAST services you need to know about . February 20, 2024 . The Verge . en.
  4. Web site: Cahillane . Mollie . January 9, 2023 . Roku to Ride Original Content, AVOD Waves Into 2023 . February 20, 2024 . www.adweek.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: Abarinova . Masha . October 28, 2022 . Consumers use nearly 10 streaming apps, as AVOD and FAST rise: Tivo . February 20, 2024 . www.streamtvinsider.com . en.
  6. Web site: Satin . David . February 16, 2024 . Roku Channel Reaches 120 Million Viewers; Roku Celebrates Over 100 Billion Hours Streamed in 2023 . February 20, 2024 . The Streamable . en.
  7. Web site: Duff . Mike . April 24, 2024 . Qurate Launches FAST Initiative 'The Big Dish' on The Roku Channel . May 7, 2024 . HomePage News . en-US.
  8. Web site: Keys . Matthew . 2024-06-11 . The Roku Channel is most-watched FAST platform, Comscore says . 2024-06-23 . The Desk . en-US.
  9. Web site: Manfredi . Lucas . February 5, 2024 . David Oyelowo's Mansa Teams With Roku on Black Culture Channel Exclusive . March 30, 2024 . TheWrap . en-US.
  10. Web site: Katzmaier . David . August 8, 2018 . Free movies and TV shows on Roku are now even easier to find . November 28, 2023 . CNET . en.
  11. Web site: Strange . Adario . September 6, 2017 . Roku rolls out its own TV channel, pitting it against the very apps that call its box home . November 28, 2023 . Mashable . en.
  12. Web site: Perez . Sarah . October 11, 2017 . Roku's new channel with free movies and TV goes live for all . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220123164821/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/11/rokus-new-channel-with-free-movies-and-tv-goes-live-for-all/ . January 23, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . TechCrunch.
  13. Web site: Roettgers . Janko . September 29, 2017 . Roku CEO Anthony Wood Talks IPO, Advertising and the Future of Streaming (Q&A) . November 28, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  14. Web site: Binder . Matt . August 9, 2018 . Now you don't even need a Roku box to watch the Roku Channel . November 29, 2023 . Mashable . en.
  15. Web site: Perez . Sarah . August 8, 2018 . Roku's free, ad-supported streaming channel is now live on the web . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023183811/https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/08/rokus-free-ad-supported-streaming-channel-is-now-live-on-the-web/ . October 23, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . TechCrunch.
  16. Web site: Porter . Jon . April 6, 2020 . Roku's free ad-supported streaming service is coming to the UK . November 28, 2023 . The Verge . en.
  17. Web site: Porter . Jon . January 8, 2021 . Quibi's library will live on through the Roku Channel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220911203642/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22220426/quibi-roku-channel-acquisition-content . September 11, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . The Verge.
  18. Web site: Mullin . Benjamin . Flint . Joe . January 8, 2021 . Roku Acquires Rights to Quibi's Content . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220821005500/https://www.wsj.com/articles/roku-acquires-rights-to-quibi-s-content-11610116056 . August 21, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . The Wall Street Journal.
  19. Web site: Keck . Catie . April 21, 2021 . Roku Wisely Rebrands Its Soon-to-Debut Quibi Haul as 'Roku Originals' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716080635/https://gizmodo.com/roku-wisely-rebrands-its-soon-to-debut-quibi-content-as-1846733852 . July 16, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . . en-us.
  20. Web site: Keck . Catie . August 17, 2021 . Roku now streams over 200 live TV channels, and here are the newest 17 . December 2, 2023 . The Verge . en.
  21. Web site: Perry . Alex . March 25, 2022 . The best (and weirdest) free, live TV channels on Roku . December 2, 2023 . Mashable . en.
  22. Web site: Henry T. Casey . June 2, 2020 . Roku Live TV Guide includes tons of free channels: Here's what you get . December 2, 2023 . Tom's Guide . en.
  23. Web site: Snider . Mike . April 24, 2018 . Video streamer Roku will have ABC News Live as an anchor for its news content . December 2, 2023 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  24. Web site: Szalai . Georg . October 13, 2022 . The Roku Channel Launches in Mexico . November 29, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  25. Web site: Petski . Denise . April 27, 2023 . Charlie Collier's Pay Tops $53 Million At Roku In 2022 . November 28, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  26. News: December 6, 2022 . Miss Universe Pageant Moves to Streaming via the Roku Channel . May 7, 2024 . Variety.
  27. Web site: Goldsmith . Jill . August 3, 2022 . Roku Channel Adds Paramount+ To Subscription Offerings . December 1, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  28. Web site: Welch . Chris . January 28, 2019 . Roku launches premium subscriptions for Showtime, Starz, and other services today . December 1, 2023 . The Verge . en.
  29. Web site: April 4, 2019 . HBO is available as a premium add-on through the Roku Channel . December 1, 2023 . Engadget . en-US.
  30. Web site: Spangler . Todd . November 3, 2022 . AMC Expands Roku Deal, Adding 11 Free Streaming Channels to Roku Channel . December 1, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  31. Web site: Spangler . Todd . February 15, 2023 . Roku Revenue Flat in Q4, Roku Channel Climbs to Reach 100 Million U.S. Viewers . November 28, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  32. Web site: Hayes . Dade . August 15, 2023 . NBCUniversal And Roku Strengthen FAST Ties, Adding Channels For 'Murder She Wrote,' 'Little House On The Prairie' And Other Classic And Nostalgia Titles . November 28, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  33. Web site: Siegal . Jacob . January 31, 2023 . Canceled HBO Max shows heading to The Roku Channel and Tubi . December 2, 2023 . BGR . en-US.
  34. Web site: Porter . Rick . August 15, 2023 . Roku, NBCUniversal Expand FAST Channel Offerings . December 2, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  35. Web site: Fletcher . Bevin . August 16, 2023 . More NBCUniversal FAST content joins The Roku Channel . December 2, 2023 . StreamTV Insider . en.
  36. Web site: July 12, 2023 . The Roku Channel is now available as a Google TV app . November 28, 2023 . Digital Trends . en.
  37. Web site: Shakir . Umar . July 12, 2023 . The Roku Channel is now streaming on Google TV . July 12, 2023 . The Verge . en-US.
  38. Web site: Spangler . Todd . September 7, 2023 . Roku Channel Content Removals Will Target Originals That Aren't Attracting New Viewers . November 28, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  39. Web site: Weprin . Alex . January 11, 2024 . Roku and Formula E Bet Big On a New Type of Sports Rights Deal . May 13, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . en.
  40. Web site: Keys . Matthew . April 3, 2024 . NBA partners with Roku to launch free streaming TV channel . April 17, 2024 . The Desk . en-US.
  41. Web site: Friend . Tom . April 3, 2024 . NBA launches new FAST channel on Roku streaming platform . May 13, 2024 . Sports Business Journal . en.
  42. Web site: Manfredi . Lucas . May 13, 2024 . Roku, MLB Strike Multiyear Rights Deal for Sunday Leadoff Games . May 20, 2024 . TheWrap . en-US.
  43. Web site: Stenberg . Mark . 2024-06-11 . The Roku Channel Tops Comscore's List of FAST Services . 2024-06-23 . www.adweek.com . en-US.
  44. Web site: Porter . Rick . 2024-08-20 . Olympics Push Peacock (and Overall TV Use) to Rare July Bump . 2024-08-20 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  45. Web site: Hailu . Selome . 2024-08-20 . With Olympics and ‘Love Island’ Boosts, Peacock Viewership Increased 33% in July . 2024-08-20 . Variety . en-US.
  46. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . 2024-08-07 . Roku Sports Channel to Launch With MLB Sunday Leadoff, 'Good Morning Football' Reboot . 2024-08-20 . TheWrap . en-US.
  47. Web site: Patterson . Ben . July 7, 2020 . Roku adds premium and over-the-air channels to its live TV programming guide . December 4, 2023 . TechHive . en.
  48. Web site: Cranz . Alex . August 15, 2023 . The Roku Channel is getting better about news . December 4, 2023 . The Verge . en.
  49. Web site: Fletcher . Bevin . August 16, 2022 . The Roku Channel brings on 14 new channels, including local NBC news StreamTV Insider . April 20, 2024 . www.streamtvinsider.com . en.
  50. Web site: Spangler . Todd . May 11, 2021 . Rotten Tomatoes Is Launching a Linear Streaming Channel . December 4, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  51. Web site: Keys . Matthew . July 26, 2023 . Free streaming channel FIFA Plus debuts on Roku Channel, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV . December 2, 2023 . The Desk . en-us.
  52. Web site: Nelson . Mike . August 26, 2021 . What's The Difference Between The Streaming NFL Channel And The Linear NFL Network? . April 17, 2024 . The Streamable . en.
  53. Web site: Fletcher . Bevin . December 1, 2022 . The Roku Channel serves up first NHL linear channel, adds 9 more free channels StreamTV Insider . April 17, 2024 . www.streamtvinsider.com . en.
  54. Web site: Bouma . Luke . March 19, 2024 . The Roku Channel Adds 4 New Free Channels For March 2024 . April 17, 2024 . Cord Cutters News . en-US.
  55. Web site: Kasule . Melissa . February 23, 2024 . FITE by Triller 24/7 launches on The Roku Channel in Canada . April 18, 2024 . digitaltveurope.com.
  56. Web site: Bouma . Luke . February 20, 2024 . The Roku Channel Adds 8 New Free Channels, Including Barney, FanDuel TV Extra, & More . April 18, 2024 . Cord Cutters News . en-US.
  57. Web site: Siegal . Jacob . November 16, 2022 . If you have a Roku, you’re getting 36 new channels for free this month . April 26, 2024 . BGR . en-US.
  58. Web site: Spangler . Todd . December 5, 2022 . Warner Music Launches First Free FAST Channels, Exclusively on Roku Channel . December 2, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  59. Web site: Bouma . Luke . October 24, 2023 . The Roku Channel Adds Over 15 New Free Live Channels, Including Content From Fox Sports, NBC Sports, BBC, PBS, & More . April 20, 2024 . Cord Cutters News . en-US.
  60. Web site: Hayes . Dade . August 7, 2020 . Latino Streaming Service VIX Launches Linear Channels On Roku, Xumo, Vizio & More . December 2, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  61. Web site: Siegal . Jacob . June 6, 2022 . The Roku Channel adds a Spanish-language hub with over 50 free live channels . March 30, 2024 . BGR . en-US.
  62. Web site: Heinzman . Andrew . July 27, 2023 . What Are AVOD Streaming Services, and Why Should You Use Them? . February 27, 2024 . How-To Geek . en.
  63. Web site: Spangler . Todd . January 31, 2023 . Roku and Tubi to Launch Warner Bros. Discovery Free, Ad-Supported Channels, Featuring HBO's 'Westworld' and More . February 27, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  64. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . October 1, 2019 . Roku Offering Free Premium Content on Ad-Supported Channel . February 27, 2024 . Media Play News . en-US.
  65. Web site: Mithaiwala . Mansoor . May 13, 2021 . Roku Originals Explained: Shows, Price, Release Date & More . December 2, 2023 . ScreenRant . en.
  66. Web site: Flam . Charna . April 20, 2023 . Roku Expands Slate of Spanish Originals, Including Jennifer Lopez's 'Un Millón de Gracias' . December 2, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
  67. Web site: Petski . Denise . May 2, 2023 . Roku Bolsters 2023-24 Slate With Content From Charlie Puth, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Saldaña, Jessica Alba & More – NewFronts . December 2, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  68. Web site: Roku adds premium and over-the-air channels to its live TV programming guide . December 4, 2023 . TechHive . en.
  69. Web site: Keys . Matthew . May 30, 2023 . The Roku Channel starts offering subscriptions from Fuse Plus . December 2, 2023 . The Desk . en-us.
  70. Web site: Lafayette . Jon . May 25, 2023 . Roku Adds ViX Premium To Roster of Subscription Channels . December 2, 2023 . NextTV . en.

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