Roku Brand Studio Greenlights New Episodes of Weekly Entertainment Show “Roku Recommends”

Rhea-AI Summary

Roku, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROKU) announced the return of its weekly entertainment program, Roku Recommends, featuring co-hosts Maria Menounos and Andrew Hawkins. The show aims to assist viewers in discovering new shows and hidden gems on Roku's platform. Roku's data indicates that since its launch in June 2021, 71% of viewers have streamed new channels after watching the program. Major brands, including Walmart, are sponsoring the series, leveraging Roku's tools to measure advertisement effectiveness amidst the growing trend of ad-free streaming.

Positive

• 71% of Roku Recommends viewers streamed a new channel after watching the show.
• The program has become a top-10 video-on-demand series on The Roku Channel since its June 2021 debut.
• Major sponsors, including Walmart, are utilizing Roku's Measurement Partner Program to quantify ad success.

Negative

• None.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Roku, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROKU) today announced that “Roku Recommends” will return for a brand-new slate of episodes starting this fall. “Roku Recommends” is a fifteen-minute weekly entertainment program that uses exclusive Roku data to help streamers discover brand-new shows and hidden gems on America's No. 1 TV streaming platform*. Streamers can count on co-hosts Emmy® Award-winner Maria Menounos and award-winning, multi-hyphenate, Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins to shine a spotlight on their top-5 best bets and movies to stream for the week.

“Roku has endless shows and movies to choose from as America’s No. 1 TV Streaming Platform,” says Maria Menounos, co-host of Roku Recommends. “If you’re like me, it’s hard to pick what to stream next! That’s why I’m so thrilled we get to bring you more episodes of our weekly program that was designed to help viewers rediscover classics or discover their next favorite show."

“It’s getting harder and harder to decide what to watch now that there are more options than ever. The whole concept behind “Roku Recommends” is for us to do the dirty work for you and help point viewers in the right direction when streamer-indecision hits,” said Hawk, co-host of Roku Recommends. “I can’t wait to kick off more episodes of sharing the hottest new shows and our own favorite hidden gems across the platform.”

“Today, advertisers need a new way to reach their customers, especially as more streamers spend time in ad-free, subscription-only environments,” said Chris Bruss, Head of Roku Brand Studio. “We’re thrilled that major brands are finding Roku Recommends helps their customers discover movies and shows, and go beyond the traditional 30-second ad to entertain and engage.”

According to Roku internal data, “Roku Recommends” has been a top-10 video-on-demand television series by unique views** on The Roku Channel since its debut in June 2021. Seventy-one percent of “Roku Recommends” households streamed a new channel on the Roku platform after watching an episode of “Roku Recommends” since its debut, and according to our annual streaming survey, The Streaming Decade, conducted by the National Research Group, 1 in 4 consumers are now cord cutters. Given this success, weekly partner segments will continue to provide a unique method for brands to reach their audiences and produce engaging, relevant and entertaining content.

Several leading national advertisers have signed on as sponsors of the weekly program, including Walmart. Unlike sponsorships on traditional TV, marketers can use the Roku Measurement Partner Program to quantify whether their “Roku Recommends” integration reaches SVOD-only streamers, adds incremental reach to their overall video ad campaign, shifts perceptions of their brand, drives consumers into stores/websites, or moves product off the shelf.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Roku Brand Studio to bring value to our brands,” said Jessica Brown, Director, Digital Investment, GroupM. “Not only are we able to provide a service helping streamers find new entertainment, but also work with Roku on new and innovative ways to measure the success of our activity.”

“Roku Recommends” is a Roku Brand Studio series created in partnership with The Roku Channel team and produced by Funny Or Die. The Roku Brand Studio mission is to create advertiser-driven content built for TV streaming.

“Roku Recommends” is available to stream for free on The Roku Channel and Featured Free with new episodes every Thursday. Funny or Die’s Mike Farah, Beth Belew, and Jim Ziegler serve as executive producers.

About Roku, Inc.

Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. We connect users to the streaming content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and TV-related audio devices are available in the U.S. and in select countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with service operators. Roku TV™ models are available in the U.S. and in select countries through licensing arrangements with TV OEM brands. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A.

*America’s No. 1 TV streaming platform” is based on hours streamed according to Hypothesis Group, April 2021
**Based on unique views. A “unique view” is streaming by a distinct account for any period of time.

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us on the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to the benefits, features, timing and availability of “Roku Recommends”; and the features, benefits, growth and reach of The Roku Channel and the Roku platform. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports Roku, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on Roku’s website and are available from Roku without charge.

Roku is a registered trademark and Roku TV is a trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005304/en/

Sarah Saul

ssaul@roku.com

Source: Roku, Inc.

FAQ

What is Roku Recommends and when does it air?

Roku Recommends is a weekly entertainment program that helps viewers discover new shows and movies, airing every Thursday.

What impact has Roku Recommends had since its launch?

Since its launch in June 2021, 71% of Roku Recommends viewers have streamed a new channel after watching an episode.

Who are the hosts of Roku Recommends?

Maria Menounos and Andrew Hawkins co-host Roku Recommends.

Which brands are sponsoring Roku Recommends?

Several leading national advertisers, including Walmart, have signed on as sponsors for the program.

How does the Roku Measurement Partner Program work?

The Roku Measurement Partner Program allows marketers to quantify the effectiveness of their ad campaigns on Roku.