Roku and Fremantle Lock Exclusive Streaming Rights in Canada for “American Idol,” in First Single-Territory Simulcast Deal
Roku has secured exclusive streaming rights in Canada for American Idol season 8 through a partnership with Fremantle, marking their first single-territory live and simulcast deal. The show will air on The Roku Channel for free in Canada, with next-day on-demand availability.
The new season premieres March 9, with a special preview on March 2, featuring judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, alongside host Ryan Seacrest. The show will simultaneously air on ABC and Hulu in the U.S.
The Roku Channel offers over 200 free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels and is exclusively available on Roku streaming players or Roku TV Models in Canada.
Roku ha ottenuto i diritti di streaming esclusivi in Canada per la stagione 8 di American Idol attraverso una partnership con Fremantle, segnando il loro primo accordo di trasmissione dal vivo e simulcast in un singolo territorio. Lo spettacolo andrà in onda su The Roku Channel gratuitamente in Canada, con disponibilità on-demand il giorno successivo.
La nuova stagione debutterà il 9 marzo, con un'anteprima speciale il 2 marzo, con i giudici Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie e Carrie Underwood, insieme al presentatore Ryan Seacrest. Lo spettacolo andrà in onda simultaneamente su ABC e Hulu negli Stati Uniti.
The Roku Channel offre oltre 200 canali televisivi in streaming supportati da pubblicità (FAST) ed è disponibile esclusivamente su dispositivi di streaming Roku o modelli di Roku TV in Canada.
Roku ha asegurado los derechos de transmisión exclusivos en Canadá para la temporada 8 de American Idol a través de una asociación con Fremantle, marcando su primer acuerdo de transmisión en vivo y simultánea en un solo territorio. El programa se transmitirá en The Roku Channel de forma gratuita en Canadá, con disponibilidad bajo demanda al día siguiente.
La nueva temporada se estrena el 9 de marzo, con un adelanto especial el 2 de marzo, con los jueces Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie y Carrie Underwood, junto al presentador Ryan Seacrest. El programa se transmitirá simultáneamente en ABC y Hulu en los EE. UU.
The Roku Channel ofrece más de 200 canales de televisión en streaming gratuitos y soportados por anuncios (FAST) y está disponible exclusivamente en dispositivos de streaming Roku o modelos de Roku TV en Canadá.
Roku는 Fremantle과의 파트너십을 통해 캐나다에서 American Idol 시즌 8의 독점 스트리밍 권리를 확보하였으며, 이는 그들의 첫 번째 단일 지역 라이브 및 동시 방송 계약을 의미합니다. 이 프로그램은 캐나다에서 The Roku Channel에서 무료로 방영되며, 다음 날 온디맨드로 이용할 수 있습니다.
새 시즌은 3월 9일에 시작되며, 3월 2일에 특별 미리보기가 진행됩니다. 심사위원으로는 Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood가 있으며, 진행자는 Ryan Seacrest입니다. 이 프로그램은 미국에서 ABC와 Hulu에서 동시에 방영됩니다.
The Roku Channel은 200개 이상의 무료 광고 지원 스트리밍 TV(Fast) 채널을 제공하며, 캐나다에서는 Roku 스트리밍 플레이어나 Roku TV 모델에서만 독점적으로 이용 가능합니다.
Roku a obtenu les droits de diffusion exclusifs au Canada pour la saison 8 d'American Idol grâce à un partenariat avec Fremantle, marquant leur premier accord de diffusion en direct et simultanée sur un seul territoire. L'émission sera diffusée gratuitement sur The Roku Channel au Canada, avec une disponibilité à la demande le lendemain.
La nouvelle saison débutera le 9 mars, avec un aperçu spécial le 2 mars, mettant en vedette les juges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie et Carrie Underwood, aux côtés de l'animateur Ryan Seacrest. L'émission sera diffusée simultanément sur ABC et Hulu aux États-Unis.
The Roku Channel offre plus de 200 chaînes de télévision en streaming gratuites et soutenues par la publicité (FAST) et est disponible exclusivement sur les appareils de streaming Roku ou les modèles de Roku TV au Canada.
Roku hat sich die exklusiven Streaming-Rechte in Kanada für die 8. Staffel von American Idol durch eine Partnerschaft mit Fremantle gesichert, was ihren ersten Einzelterritorium-Live- und Simulcast-Deal markiert. Die Show wird kostenlos auf The Roku Channel in Kanada ausgestrahlt, mit Verfügbarkeit am nächsten Tag auf Abruf.
Die neue Staffel feiert am 9. März Premiere, mit einer speziellen Vorschau am 2. März, mit den Juroren Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie und Carrie Underwood, sowie dem Moderator Ryan Seacrest. Die Show wird gleichzeitig auf ABC und Hulu in den USA ausgestrahlt.
The Roku Channel bietet über 200 kostenlose, werbefinanzierte Streaming-TV (FAST) Kanäle und ist exklusiv auf Roku Streaming-Geräten oder Roku TV-Modellen in Kanada verfügbar.
- Secured exclusive streaming rights for popular show American Idol in Canada
- Expands content offering with first single-territory live and simulcast deal
- Creates new advertising revenue opportunities in Canadian market
- availability only on Roku devices in Canada
- Geographic restriction to Canadian market only
Insights
This exclusive streaming rights deal for American Idol marks a significant strategic advancement for Roku in the Canadian market. The agreement's structure - combining live simulcast with AVOD rights - is particularly noteworthy as it represents a new model for territory-specific content distribution that could become a template for future international streaming agreements.
The deal's value proposition is multifaceted. First, it strengthens Roku's position in the competitive Canadian streaming market by securing exclusive rights to a high-profile entertainment property. American Idol has historically maintained strong viewership in Canada, with previous seasons averaging over 1 million viewers per episode. This audience potential, combined with the show's twice-weekly format, creates substantial advertising inventory for Roku to monetize.
The FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channel strategy is particularly compelling in the current economic climate where consumers are increasingly sensitive to subscription costs. By offering premium content like American Idol for free with ads, Roku positions itself to capture both viewer attention and advertising dollars in a market where traditional TV advertising spent exceeds
The timing of this deal is strategic, coinciding with a broader industry shift toward hybrid monetization models. While competitors focus on subscription revenue, Roku's emphasis on ad-supported content demonstrates a differentiated approach to market penetration. The exclusive nature of the agreement also creates a competitive moat in Canada, potentially driving new user acquisition for Roku's platform.
Looking at broader implications, this deal could serve as a proof of concept for Roku's international expansion strategy. Success in Canada could lead to similar territory-specific deals in other markets, particularly those where traditional TV viewing is transitioning to streaming platforms. The inclusion of next-day on-demand availability alongside live simulcast rights shows Roku's understanding of modern viewing habits and positions them to maximize engagement across different viewing preferences.
Season 8 on ABC, season 23 (overall) premieres March 2 on The Roku Channel
Season 8 of “American Idol” returns with music legends Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and “American Idol” alum Carrie Underwood joining the judging panel, alongside Emmy Award-winning host Ryan Seacrest. (Photo: Business Wire)
“American Idol” season 8 will air on ABC on Sundays and Mondays and next day on Hulu in the
“We are excited to be the exclusive streaming destination in
“The partnership between Fremantle and Roku to showcase ‘American Idol’ marks an exciting step forward in digital broadcasting,” said Michela DiMondo, EVP Distribution,
Season 8 of “American Idol” returns with music legends Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and “American Idol” alum Carrie Underwood joining the judging panel, alongside Emmy Award-winning host Ryan Seacrest.
“American Idol” is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.
With more than 200 free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform and features a growing library of Roku Originals. Free, ad-supported content on The Roku Channel is only available on Roku streaming players or Roku TV Models™ in
About Roku, Inc.
Roku pioneered streaming on TV. We connect users to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku TV™ models, Roku streaming players, and TV-related audio devices are available in various countries around the world through direct retail sales and/or licensing arrangements with TV OEM brands. Roku-branded TVs and Roku Smart Home products are sold exclusively in
Roku and Roku TV are trademarks or registered trademarks of Roku, Inc. in the
About Fremantle
Fremantle is a leading global creator, producer and distributor of some of the world’s most successful content across Entertainment, Drama & Film, and Documentaries.
Amplifying local stories on a global scale, Fremantle produces and delivers premium, multi-genre IP across the 27 territories it operates in. Fremantle is a proudly independent group of content creators, and home to some of the biggest entertainment formats, compelling international dramas, award-winning films and high-quality documentaries. From Got Talent to Neighbours, Password to Poor Things, Fellow Travelers to Queens, Too Hot To Handle to Big Mood, Maxton Hall to Idols, and Priscilla to House of Kardashian, our focus is simple – Fremantle creates and delivers irresistible entertainment. Fremantle also represents world-leading digital and branded entertainment, with more than 495 million fans and 300 billion views for its standout content across all platforms. Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann.
For more information, please visit www.fremantle.com, follow Fremantle on Twitter @FremantleHQ and Instagram @fremantle or visit Fremantle’s LinkedIn page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250219000484/en/
Media Contacts
Roku, Inc.
Eleni Tenuta
etenuta@roku.com
APEX PR
Megan Poole
mpoole@apexpr.com
Source: Roku, Inc.
FAQ
When will American Idol Season 8 premiere on Roku Channel in Canada?
Who are the judges for American Idol Season 8 on Roku?
How can Canadian viewers watch American Idol on Roku?
What does Roku's exclusive American Idol deal include?
Will American Idol be available on-demand on Roku Channel Canada?
