Roku just unveiled new streaming TV changes that sound a lot like what Apple is planning
Roku just unveiled new streaming TV changes that sound a
lot like what Apple is planning
The Roku Channel will soon offer premium content from
Showtime, Epix and Starz.
HBO, Netflix and Hulu are noticeably absent, but Roku
might be able to use the content to draw more eyeballs to The Roku Channel, where
it can sell ads.
Users will only have a single bill, instead of bills for
each premium service.
By Todd Haselton January 2, 2019 CNBC.com
Roku on Wednesday announced new changes that are coming
to how its users watch premium TV shows and movies. It may help it boost ad
revenue — hugely important for the company's success — and it's a move Apple is
said to be planning, too.
The Roku Channel, a separate section of the Roku user
interface on TVs with Roku software and Roku products, will soon let users
subscribe to paid content from Showtime, Epix, Starz and a handful of other,
lesser-known networks. Customers will be able to see all the shows and movies
available on those platforms before they subscribe and can access the movies
and TV shows from other devices, such as phones and tablets. They'll also be
able to pay for all the services through one bill paid to Roku, instead of a
separate bill for each service.
The change gives Roku's media partners a chance to
include ad content inside of the Roku app instead of leaving it inside separate
apps where fewer viewers can see the ads.
But there's a lot of missing content in Roku's new
offering. HBO, Hulu and Netflix aren't available. Those apps are still
available outside of The Roku Channel, but users will need to navigate to the
home screen and away from The Roku Channel, which is clearly where Roku is
going to try to keep its users' eyeballs.
The move also sounds similar to what Apple is planning.
CNBC reported in October that Apple will mix its free original content with
subscription channels inside of the TV app, which is available on iPhones and
iPads. Apple may introduce its service as soon as this year.
Other companies may be planning similar offerings.
Facebook is in talks with HBO, Showtime and Starz to offer TV shows and movies
for its Facebook Watch users, according to Recode.
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