Aiming to match rivals’ channels offering, Roku is to expand its Roku Channel to include premium subscriptions allowing users to watch both free ad-supported and paid premium entertainment in one interface, with personalised recommendations.
Premium Subscriptions are only viewable within The Roku Channel. With the new offer users will be able to browse, trial and subscribe to popular services. Users will also be able to discover new services from premium subscriptions partners, browse their entire catalogues and then sign-up for at least a seven-day free trial using their existing Roku account information. Additionally, search within The Roku Channel will be expanded, allowing users to search for keywords within the channel.
In addition to 10,000+ free ad-supported films and TV episodes already available, The Roku Channel will now soon offer users the option to add over 25 premium subscriptions from providers such as Showtime, Starz and EPIX. Other launch partners include CuriosityStream, Hopster, Magnolia Selects, Smithsonian Channel Plus and Viewster Anime.
“We’re focused on making it easy to find great entertainment of all types on the platform and adding Premium Subscriptions is a natural evolution for The Roku Channel,” said Rob Holmes, vice president, programming and engagement, Roku. “As a top five channel by active account reach, The Roku Channel is already a great source for free, ad-supported entertainment and provides significant user engagement. By making it easy for users to discover, subscribe to and watch Premium Subscriptions, we believe this offering will result in increased subscriptions and user engagement for our subscription partners and an even better user experience.”
“Bringing our premium programming to a highly engaged user base via The Roku Channel is a great opportunity to expand our reach, drive more viewership and make our range of Starz Original TV series and movies more widely accessible to new and growing audiences,” added Joe Glennon, executive vice president of affiliate sales, Starz.
In a separate move, the Roku mobile app will soon enable users to watch content from The Roku Channel allwing for the first time, users with iOS and Android devices will be able to use the Roku mobile app without a Roku device, enabling them to watch The Roku Channel anytime, anywhere in the United States.
Premium Subscriptions and search capabilities on The Roku Channel will begin rolling out to select Roku devices in late January, with a phased rollout planned for early 2019. The Roku mobile app update will also begin rolling out to iOS and Android devices in late January.
In addition to 10,000+ free ad-supported films and TV episodes already available, The Roku Channel will now soon offer users the option to add over 25 premium subscriptions from providers such as Showtime, Starz and EPIX. Other launch partners include CuriosityStream, Hopster, Magnolia Selects, Smithsonian Channel Plus and Viewster Anime.
“We’re focused on making it easy to find great entertainment of all types on the platform and adding Premium Subscriptions is a natural evolution for The Roku Channel,” said Rob Holmes, vice president, programming and engagement, Roku. “As a top five channel by active account reach, The Roku Channel is already a great source for free, ad-supported entertainment and provides significant user engagement. By making it easy for users to discover, subscribe to and watch Premium Subscriptions, we believe this offering will result in increased subscriptions and user engagement for our subscription partners and an even better user experience.”
“Bringing our premium programming to a highly engaged user base via The Roku Channel is a great opportunity to expand our reach, drive more viewership and make our range of Starz Original TV series and movies more widely accessible to new and growing audiences,” added Joe Glennon, executive vice president of affiliate sales, Starz.
In a separate move, the Roku mobile app will soon enable users to watch content from The Roku Channel allwing for the first time, users with iOS and Android devices will be able to use the Roku mobile app without a Roku device, enabling them to watch The Roku Channel anytime, anywhere in the United States.
Premium Subscriptions and search capabilities on The Roku Channel will begin rolling out to select Roku devices in late January, with a phased rollout planned for early 2019. The Roku mobile app update will also begin rolling out to iOS and Android devices in late January.
