Roku Expands Live TV, Sports, and More for its 70 Million Active Accounts

Rhea-AI Summary

Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) has announced significant updates to its operating system, reinforcing its position as the leading smart TV OS in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with over 70 million active accounts. The enhancements include new features for Live TV, content discovery, and an upgraded Roku Mobile App. Notable new channel partners joining the Sports experience are CBS Sports, MLB.TV, NBA App, and NBC Sports. Roku Select and Plus Series TVs are now available for purchase at Best Buy. The updates aim to provide users with a more personalized, intuitive streaming experience.

Positive

• Roku OS recognized as the #1 selling smart TV OS in major markets.
• Introduction of new channel partners including CBS Sports and NBA App enhances content offerings.
• Launch of Roku-branded TVs expands product portfolio.

Negative

• None.

The purpose-built TV operation system automatically updates with new channel partners, content expansion, feature enhancements, and new mobile app design

Plus, CBS Sports, MLB.TV, NBA App, and NBC Sports will join the roster of supported channel partners of the Sports experience

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Roku experience just got even better. Today, Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) announced platform-wide updates for its operating system (OS) that further prove the brand’s incredible value. Roku’s OS is the #1 selling smart TV OS in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico ¹, with over 70 million active accounts in the U.S. approaching half of broadband households² and getting all the benefits of Roku’s highly intuitive, personalized, and seamless platform. Over the coming months, users will find even more to love with updates to Live TV, content discovery, Sports, the Roku Mobile App, and more rolling out in the U.S. this spring.

“As the #1 selling OS in three major markets, we understand what people want when it comes to a streaming platform – a simple yet delightful experience that feels personalized to them,” said Preston Smalley, Vice President of Viewer Product, Roku. “The latest updates to our powerful OS make Roku's software even more intuitive and curated, so users can spend less time searching for content and more time enjoying their favorite entertainment.”

Roku also announced features and availability for its new Roku-branded TVs, the first TVs designed and made by the company. Starting today, March 9, Roku Select and Plus Series TVs will be available at Best Buy in the U.S. for purchase, with the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar becoming available later this month.

New features coming to Roku devices in the U.S. in the following months include:

Live TV

• Local News: Roku's Live TV experience boasts 350+ free linear TV streaming channels across a variety of genres. With the launch of Local News, users can watch live news channels personalized by location, or stream channels from major cities across the U.S. Plus, in an exciting step forward, news recommendations are now powered by AI, making them smarter than ever and ensuring a curated experience within the Live TV Zone. Roku users can search for “local news” using either Roku Search or Roku Voice or visit the Live TV Zone on their Roku Home Screen Menu.
• Premium Subscriptions: Our newest addition to Categories within Roku’s Live TV Channel Guide, Premium Subscriptions allows users to quickly discover and sign up for premium channels they are not currently subscribed to, expanding their Live TV content offering. Premium Subscriptions will join previously launched Categories (Recents, Favorites, and Subscribed) and genres including News, Sports, Entertainment, and more. Categories in Roku’s Live TV Channel Guide was previously last fall.

Content Access and Discovery

• Sports: Last year, we launched the all-new Sports experience, a centralized location where users can browse and stream live and upcoming sports-related events across the Roku platform, making it easier than ever for fans to root for their favorite teams. Coverage will continue to expand with golf and additional soccer programming, including Spanish-language game coverage around select soccer leagues. Also, in the coming months, users will experience a more personalized Sports experience based on their location, favorite team, go-to sport, and viewing habits. Additionally, CBS Sports, MLB.TV, NBA App, and NBC Sports will join the list of supported channels for the Sports experience.
• Continue Watching: Located within What to Watch, Continue Watching gives users a single location to jump back into the content they love. Content from supported channels will now show up nearly instantly in the Continue Watching row after a user has finished streaming their favorite TV show or movie. Additionally, discovery+ and Prime Video will join the list of supported channels of the Continue Watching feature, with BET+, Freevee, Frndly TV, and STARZ launching soon.

Mobile

• Roku Mobile App: The updated Roku Mobile App will have a more refined, elevated, and visually immersive interface, making it the go-to destination for all your account and streaming needs. In the coming months, users will notice the following upgrades:
  • A revamped Account Hub: Roku is introducing an expanded Account Hub where users can create and adjust Roku Account preferences seamlessly. Updates will include a new sign-up and sign-in process; the ability to establish security, privacy, and notification preferences; device management on their account; and more.
  • A more streamlined Home Screen: Within the Mobile App’s Home tab, users will notice a simpler interface with new features tailored to them. These include dedicated Sports and Continue Watching rows, more ways to discover new content, and more.
  • Live TV Channel “Guide” button: Previously, Roku introduced a dedicated Live TV Channel “Guide” button on the mobile app remote when connected to Roku TVs. In the coming months, this feature will expand to connected players, enabling users to instantly launch the Live TV Channel Guide right from their phone.
  • Enhanced Roku Photo Streams: Last year, Roku announced Roku Photo Streams, giving users the ability to share photos with friends and family and turn their TVs into the biggest photo album in their home. With today’s updates, managing and uploading images to your photo streams will be faster and easier than before. With a new mobile integration, users will be able to upload images right from their photo album, choose thumbnails for their streams, simply add or delete images, set streams as screensavers, and share streams with family and friends right from their phones. Plus, users can now upload up to 1,000 images per stream.

Availability

OS 12 will roll out to users in the coming weeks, with additional updates like new supported channel partners, content expansion, and mobile app upgrades rolling out in the coming months. Read more on our blog here. Visuals to support today’s announcement here.

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 Smart Home products, including cameras, video doorbells, lighting, plugs, and more are available in the U.S. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A.

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 those related to the roll-out timing, benefits, features and functionality of Roku OS 12; the features, and availability for its new Roku-branded TVs and the features, benefits, growth and reach of 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, 2022. 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.

¹ According to NPD Q4 2022
² US broadband households, Statista

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230309005203/en/

Brigitte Gilbert

Roku, Inc.

bgilbert@roku.com

Source: Roku, Inc.

FAQ

What updates has Roku made to its operating system?

Roku has introduced platform-wide updates, enhancing features for Live TV, content discovery, and the Roku Mobile App.

What new channels are available on Roku's Sports experience?

CBS Sports, MLB.TV, NBA App, and NBC Sports are now available on Roku's Sports experience.

When will the new Roku-branded TVs be available for purchase?

Roku Select and Plus Series TVs became available for purchase on March 9.

How many active accounts does Roku have?

Roku has over 70 million active accounts.

In which countries is Roku the leading smart TV OS?

Roku is the leading smart TV OS in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.