Roku Locks FAST Deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for The Roku Channel; New FAST Channels Will Feature Popular Titles Including “Westworld,” “The Bachelor,” “Cake Boss,” “Say Yes to the Dress,” “F-Boy Island,” and More

Rhea-AI Summary

Roku has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to introduce branded FAST channels on The Roku Channel, set to launch in spring 2023. This collaboration will add approximately 2000 hours of on-demand content, including iconic TV series and movies. Notable programs such as 'Westworld' and 'The Bachelor' will be available for free streaming. Roku continues to enhance its FAST offerings, having secured deals with other major networks. According to recent reports, The Roku Channel ranks as a leader in the AVOD and FAST streaming sectors, reaching an estimated 80 million U.S. households in Q4 2021.

Positive

• Partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery enhances Roku's content offerings.
• Introduction of approximately 2000 hours of sought-after on-demand content.
• Roku Channel ranks as a top service in AVOD and FAST streaming markets.

Negative

• None.

Warner Bros. branded FAST channels set to arrive on The Roku Channel in spring 2023

In addition to bringing streamers new FAST channels, about 2000 hours of on-demand content featuring hundreds of iconic Warner Bros. Discovery TV series and movies will also land on The Roku Channel

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) and Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, have inked a groundbreaking deal to bring Warner Bros. branded FAST channels to The Roku Channel. Featuring popular premium content including “Westworld,” “The Bachelor,” “Cake Boss,” “Say Yes to the Dress,” “F-Boy Island,” and more, the channels will arrive on The Roku Channel in spring 2023.

On top of bringing streamers brand-new FAST channels, the deal will also usher in about 2000 hours of on-demand library programming to The Roku Channel. Hundreds of TV series and movies from Warner Bros. Discovery’s esteemed brand portfolio, including HBO, HBO Max, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, and more, will now be available for audiences to stream for free on The Roku Channel.

Rob Holmes, vice president, programming, Roku: “As FAST continues to explode in popularity amongst cord-cutters, we’re seeing content players increasingly shift their focus towards capturing this audience, by bringing some of their best stuff to FAST. The rapid expansion of premium content on FAST is a win for both the viewer and content owner, as well as advertisers looking to reach these audiences through well-known programming. We’re delighted to be one of Warner Bros. Discovery’s inaugural FAST partners, and we look forward to introducing its incredible TV series, films, and entertainment brands to a whole new audience on The Roku Channel.”

The news builds on The Roku Channel’s significant enhancement of its FAST offering over the last year, with deals that added popular programming from AMC Networks, NBCUniversal, WMX (Warner Music Experience), the National Hockey League, and more to the service.

David Decker, President of Content Sales for Warner Bros. Discovery added: “We love working with world-class, cutting-edge partners like The Roku Channel. Their innovative platforms provide us with new ways to bring our valuable content to fans across the country.”

Roku is America’s #1 TV streaming channel by hours streamed*, and The Roku Channel is a leader in FAST** and AVOD*** streaming. The Roku Channel was a top 5 channel by both active account reach and streaming hour engagement on Roku in Q3 2022 and ranked first in reach amongst AVOD/FAST services in the U.S., according to TiVo’s most recent quarterly Video Trends Report.

Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform. In Q4 2021, The Roku Channel reached U.S. households with an estimated 80 million people. Today, The Roku Channel features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 free movies and programs and more than 350 free live linear television channels in the U.S. It licenses and distributes content from more than 250 partners. In addition to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is available on web, iOS, and Android devices, as well as Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung TVs.

Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film, and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs, and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

* December 2022, Hypothesis Group
** FAST: free ad-supported linear streaming TV
*** AVOD: ad-supported video on demand

About Roku

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 the content, benefits, features, timing, and availability of exclusive content on The Roku Channel, including new FAST channels, trends related to TV streaming; 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 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 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/20230131005432/en/

Roku U.S. Media Contact:

Sophia Economou

seconomou@roku.com

For Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales:

Blake Bryant

Blake.Bryant@warnerbros.com

Source: Roku, Inc.

FAQ

When will Warner Bros. FAST channels launch on The Roku Channel?

The Warner Bros. FAST channels are set to launch in spring 2023.

What content will be available on The Roku Channel from Warner Bros.?

The Roku Channel will feature about 2000 hours of on-demand content, including popular shows such as 'Westworld' and 'The Bachelor'.

How does The Roku Channel rank in the streaming market?

The Roku Channel was a top 5 channel in active account reach and streaming hours in Q3 2022, and ranks first among AVOD/FAST services in the U.S.

What impact does the partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery have on Roku's business?

The partnership significantly enhances Roku's content library, appealing to a broader audience and strengthening its position in the streaming market.

How many households access The Roku Channel?

As of Q4 2021, The Roku Channel reached approximately 80 million U.S. households.