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Premium subscriptions are now available on the Roku Channel
After racking up viewers with free movies and TV shows, Roku is expanding its popular Roku Channel to include premium content providers. The update, which was announced earlier this month, adds support for more than 25 subscription services including Starz, Showtime and Epix. Roku is starting the roll out of the update today, bringing it first to Roku players. It will reach all supported devices over the next few weeks, with Roku TVs planned to be the last to receive the update.
Roku's free movie and TV channel is adding premium subscriptions
The Roku Channel has become a hit by offering free movies and TV shows. Now, Roku is taking the next logical step by adding premium subscriptions for 25 providers, including Showtime, EPIX and Starz. Starting late in January, Roku users will be able subscribe to those networks with a few clicks of their remote, afterwards their content will appear at the top of the Roku Channel.
You don't need a Roku to watch Roku's free movies
Almost a year since Roku launched its free, ad-supported movie channel across its devices, the company is taking a major step forward: The internet! Starting today, anyone in the US can head over to TheRokuChannel.com to access the company's free library on PCs, phones and tablets. The only requirement is a Roku account, which you can sign up for on the site. It's not a huge surprise to see Roku broaden access to its free channel, since it announced earlier this year it would be coming to Samsung TVs (that's also rolling out today). And in April, the company partnered with ABC, Cheddar and other media firms for free live news streaming.
Roku’s free movie channel arrives on Samsung smart TVs this summer
Last year, Roku launched a free, ad-supported film channel available to those with a Roku player, stick or TV in the US. Now, the company has announced that The Roku Channel will be available as an app on select Samsung smart TVs this summer. The channel's selection includes content from studios like Lionsgate, MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment as well as films from Roku channel publishers such as Popcornflix and American Classics. The selection updates every month.
Roku Player's new Netflix channel rolls out tomorrow, we go hands-on
Roku originally told us its new Netflix channel would roll out in June, but it looks like things are actually happening a little early -- the updated interface will go live starting tomorrow, and it'll be rolling out to everyone over the next week. As promised, the new interface lets you search the entire Netflix Watch Instantly library directly from your TV, and you'll be able to browse through Netflix categories like New Releases, Action, and Comedy as well, which definitely makes the casual turn-on-and-watch experience far easier and nicer. We do wish there was a filter for HD content, though, and we noticed some lag as titles and artwork loaded in when we clicked around a little too fast, but there weren't any major hassles apart from the general annoyance of trying to type on an on-screen keyboard with a remote control. A little Bluetooth integration in the next revision would be nice -- or hey, why not a smartphone app? Overall, though, the new channel is a nice solid update for Roku owners, and we certainly can't argue with free. %Gallery-93815%
Roku Channel Store delivers ten new content portals for zero dollars
Roku owners already have access to Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and MLB.tv, but now the set-top box is about to get a lot more interesting. Starting tonight and running throughout the next fortnight, existing owners of the Roku SD, Roku HD and Roku HD-XR will receive an automatic (and free) update that delivers ten new content channels. Pandora, Facebook Photos, Revision3, Mediafly, TWiT, blip.tv, Flickr, FrameChannel, Motionbox and MobileTribe will be joining the fray, and while we wish the likes of Hulu and other television portals were included, we're holding out hope that such channels will be unveiled in due time. In fact, Roku admits that "many other developers are working on Roku Channels now, and Roku expects additional developers to adopt the Roku platform over time." So, have these guys convinced you that you need another box underneath your HDTV yet, or what?
