Roku

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Ruku.
For the company which makes the devices, see Roku, Inc. For other uses, see Roku (disambiguation).

Roku
Roku logo.svg
Roku 1 2017-02-23.jpg
DeveloperRoku, Inc.
TypeDigital media player
Release dateMay 20, 2008; 13 years ago (2008-05-20)
Operating systemRoku OS
Websitewww.roku.com/products

Roku (/ˈroʊkuː/ ROH-koo) is a brand of hardware digital media players manufactured by American company Roku, Inc. They offer access to streaming media content from various online services.

The first Roku model, developed in collaboration with Netflix, was introduced in May 2008. Roku devices have been considered influential on the digital media player market, helping to popularize the concept of low-cost, small-form-factor set-top boxes for over-the-top media consumption.[1] Roku has also licensed its platform as middleware for smart TVs.

As of August 2021, Roku has more than 55 million active accounts, according to its quarterly earnings report.[2]

History[]

Roku was founded by Anthony Wood in 2002, who had previously founded ReplayTV, a DVR company that competed with Tivo.[3] After ReplayTV's failure, Wood worked for a while at Netflix. In 2007, Wood's company began working with Netflix on Project:Griffin, a set-top box to allow Netflix users to stream Netflix content to their TVs.[3] Only a few weeks before the project's launch, Netflix's founder Reed Hastings decided it would hamper license arrangements with third parties, potentially keeping Netflix off other similar platforms, and killed the project.[4] Fast Company magazine cited the decision to kill the project as "one of Netflix's riskiest moves".[4]

Netflix decided instead to spin off the company, and Roku released their first set-top box in 2008.[5] In 2010 they began offering models with various capabilities, which eventually became their standard business model.[5] In 2014, Roku partnered with smart TV manufacturers to produce TVs with built-in Roku functionality.[3] In 2015, Roku won the inaugural Emmy for Television Enhancement Devices.

In 2019, Roku acquired dataxu, an advertising technology company for $150 million.[6]

Roku streaming players[]

First generation[]

Original form factor XD/S

The first Roku model, the Roku DVP N1000, was unveiled on May 20, 2008. It was developed in partnership with Netflix to serve as a standalone set-top box for its recently introduced "Watch Instantly" service. The goal was to produce a device with a small footprint that could be sold at low cost compared to larger digital video recorders and video game consoles. It features an NXP PNX8935 video decoder supporting both standard and high definition formats up to 720p; HDMI output; and automatic software updates, including the addition of new channels for other video services.[7][1][8]

Roku launched two new models in October 2009: the Roku SD (a simplified version of the DVP, with only analog AV outputs); and the Roku HD-XR, an updated version with 802.11n Wi-Fi and a USB port for future functionality. The Roku DVP was retroactively renamed the Roku HD. By then, Roku had added support for other services. The next month, they introduced the Channel Store, where users could download third-party apps for other content services (including the possibility of private services for specific uses).[9][10]

Netflix support was initially dependent on a PC, requiring users to add content to their "Instant Queue" from the service's web interface before it could be accessed via the Roku. In May 2010, the channel was updated to allow users to search the Netflix library directly from the device.[11]

In August 2010, Roku announced plans to add 1080p video support to the HD-XR.[12] The next month, they released an updated lineup with thinner form factors: a new HD; the XD, with 1080p support; and the XDS, with optical audio, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a USB port. The XD and XDS also included an updated remote.[13]

Support for the first-generation Roku models ended in September 2015.[14]

Second generation[]

A Roku 2 XS

In July 2011, Roku unveiled its second generation of players, branded as Roku 2 HD, XD, and XS. All three models include 802.11n, and also add microSD slots and Bluetooth. The XD and XS support 1080p, and only the XS model includes an Ethernet connector and USB port. They also support the "Roku Game Remote"—a Bluetooth remote with motion controller support for games, which was bundled with the XS and sold separately for other models.[15] The Roku LT was unveiled in October, as an entry-level model with no Bluetooth or microSD support.[16]

In January 2012, Roku unveiled the Streaming Stick - a new model condensed into a dongle form factor using Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL).[17][18] Later in October, Roku introduced a new search feature to the second-generation models, aggregating content from services usable on the device.[19]

Third generation[]

Roku unveiled its third-generation models in March 2013, the Roku 3 and Roku 2. The Roku 3 contains an upgraded CPU over the 2 XS, and a Wi-Fi Direct remote with an integrated headphone jack. The Roku 2 features only the faster CPU.[20][21]

Fourth generation[]

In October 2015, Roku introduced the Roku 4; the device contains upgraded hardware with support for 4K resolution video, as well as 802.11ac wireless.[22]

Fifth generation[]

Roku revamped their entire streaming player line-up with five new models in September 2016 (low end Roku Express, Roku Express+, high end Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, and top-of-the-line Roku Ultra), while the Streaming Stick (3600) was held over from the previous generation (having been released the previous April) as a sixth option.[23] The Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra support HDR video using HDR10.[24]

Sixth generation[]

In October 2017, Roku introduced its sixth generation of products. The Premiere and Premiere+ models were discontinued, the Streaming Stick+ (with an enhanced Wi-Fi antenna device) was introduced, as well as new processors for the Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Express, and Roku Express+.[25]

Seventh generation[]

In September 2018, Roku introduced the seventh generation of products. Carrying over from the 2017 sixth-generation without any changes were the Express (3900), Express+ (3910), Streaming Stick (3800), and Streaming Stick+ (3810). The Ultra is the same hardware device from 2017, but it comes with JBL premium headphones and is repackaged with the new model number 4661. Roku has resurrected the Premiere and Premiere+ names, but these two new models bear little resemblance to the 2016 fifth-generation Premiere (4620) and Premiere+ (4630) models. The new Premiere (3920) and Premiere+ (3921) are essentially based on the Express (3900) model with 4K support added, it also includes Roku Streaming Stick+ Headphone Edition (3811) for improving Wifi signal strength and private listening.

Eighth generation[]

In September 2019, Roku introduced the eighth generation of products.[26]

The same year, Netflix decided not to support older generations of Roku, including the Roku HD, HD-XR, SD, XD, and XDS, as well as the NetGear-branded XD and XDS. Roku had warned in 2015 that it would stop updating players made in May 2011 or earlier, and these vintage boxes were among them.[27]

Ninth generation[]

On September 28, 2020, Roku introduced the ninth generation of products.[28] An updated Roku Ultra was released along with the addition of the Roku Streambar, a 2-in-1 Roku and Soundbar device. The microSD slot was removed from the new Ultra 4800, making it the first top-tier Roku device since the first generation to lack this feature. On April 14, 2021, Roku announced the Roku Express 4K+, replacing the 8th generation Roku Express devices, the Voice Remote Pro as an optional upgrade for existing Roku players, and Roku OS 10 for all modern Roku devices.[29]

Feature comparison[]

Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix with Profiles
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p,
1080p (HD) 		2160p
(4K) 		Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
First generation
Roku DVP (N1000) May 2008 Both Both Both 720p No Yes Both Yes b/g No IR PNX8935 400 MHz [30][31][32] 256 MB 64 MB[33] No No
Roku SD (N1050) Oct 2009 Composite Neither 480i Neither No Yes Neither Yes b/g No IR PNX8935 400 MHz[33][34] 256 MB 64 MB[33] No No
Roku HD (N1100) Nov 2009 Both Both Both 720p No Yes Both Yes b/g No IR PNX8935 400 MHz[33][34] 256 MB 64 MB[33] No No
Roku HD-XR (N1101) Oct 2009 Both Both Both Both[note 2] No Yes Both Yes a/b/g/n dual-band Yes IR PNX8935 400 MHz[33][34] 256 MB 256 MB[33] No No
Roku HD (2000) Sep 2010 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI Yes b/g No IR PNX8935 400 MHz[33] 256 MB 64 MB[33] No No
Roku XD (2050) Sep 2010 Composite HDMI Both Both[note 2] No Yes HDMI Yes b/g/n No IR PNX8935 400 MHz[33][35] 256 MB 64 MB[33] No No
Roku XDS (2100) Sep 2010 Composite Both[note 3] Both Both[note 2] No Yes Both Yes a/b/g/n dual-band Yes IR PNX8935 400 MHz[32][37] 256 MB 256 MB[33] No No
Second generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix with Profiles
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p,
1080p (HD) 		2160p
(4K) 		Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku LT (2400) Nov 2011 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR BCM2835 600 MHz[33][38] 256 MB 256 MB[33] No No
Roku LT (2450) Apr 2012 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR BCM7208 405 MHz[33] 256 MB 256 MB[33] No No
Roku HD (2500) Apr 2012 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR BCM7208 405 MHz[39] 256 MB[39] 256 MB[39] No No
Roku 2 HD (3000) Jul 2011 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR[note 4] BCM2835 600 MHz[33][40] 256 MB 256 MB[33] Yes No
Roku 2 XD (3050) Jul 2011 Composite HDMI Both Both[note 5] No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR[note 4] BCM2835 600 MHz[33][40] 256 MB 256 MB[33] Yes No
Roku 2 XS (3100) Jul 2011 Composite HDMI Both Both[note 5] No Yes HDMI Yes b/g/n Yes IR, Bluetooth BCM2835 600 MHz [40][41] 256 MB 256 MB[33] Yes No
Roku Streaming Stick, MHL (3400, 3420) Oct 2012 Neither MHL only 480p Both[note 6] No No HDMI No b/g/n dual-band[42] No Wi-Fi Direct BCM2835 600 MHz[33] 256 MB[43] 512 MB No No
Roku Streaming Stick, HDMI (3500) Mar 2014[44] Neither HDMI Neither Both No No HDMI No a/b/g/n dual-band No Wi-Fi Direct BCM2835 600 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No Yes
Third generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p,
1080p (HD) 		2160p
(4K) 		Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku LT (2700) Sep 2013 Composite HDMI Both 720p No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR BCM7218 600 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No No
Roku 1, SE (2710) Sep 2013 Composite HDMI Both Both No Yes HDMI No b/g/n No IR BCM7218 600 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No No
Roku 2 (2720) Sep 2013 Composite HDMI Both Both No Yes & Remote HDMI No a/b/g/n dual-band No IR, Wi-Fi Direct BCM7218 600 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No No
Roku 3 (4200) Mar 2013 Neither HDMI Neither Both No Remote[note 7] HDMI Yes a/b/g/n dual-band Yes IR, Wi-Fi Direct BCM11130 900 MHz 512 MB 256 MB Yes Yes
Roku 2 (4210) Apr 2015 Neither HDMI Neither Both No No HDMI Yes a/b/g/n dual-band Yes IR[note 8] BCM11130 900 MHz 512 MB 256 MB Yes Yes
Roku 3 (4230) Apr 2015 Neither HDMI Neither Both No Remote[note 7] HDMI Yes a/b/g/n dual-band Yes IR, Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search BCM11130 900 MHz 512 MB 256 MB Yes Yes
Fourth generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p,
1080p (HD) 		2160p
(4K) 		Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Streaming Stick (3600) [46] Apr 2016 Neither HDMI Neither Both No Stream to smartphone HDMI No a/b/g/n dual-band No Wi-Fi Direct BCM2836 900 MHz[47][48] 512 MB 256 MB No Yes
Roku 4 (4400) [49] Oct 2015 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes Remote[note 7] Optical & HDMI Yes, 10/100 Mbps a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR, Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search STV7723A01 [50] 1.5 GB 512 MB Yes Yes
Fifth generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p60,
1080p60 (HD) 		2160p60
(4K) 		Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Express (3700) Oct 2016 Neither HDMI Neither Both No Stream to smartphone HDMI No b/g/n No IR MStar MSA3Z177Z1[51] 900 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No Yes
Roku Express+ (3710) Oct 2016 Composite HDMI 480i Both No Yes & Stream to smartphone HDMI No b/g/n No IR MSA3Z177Z1 900 MHz 512 MB 256 MB No Yes
Roku Premiere (4620) Oct 2016 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes Stream to smartphone HDMI No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band No IR MStar MSO9380 1.2 GHz 1 GB 512 MB No Yes
Roku Premiere+ (4630) Oct 2016 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes Remote[note 7] & Stream to smartphone HDMI Yes, 10/100 Mbps a/b/g/n/ac dual-band No IR, Wi-Fi Direct MStar MSO9380 1.2 GHz 1 GB 512 MB Yes Yes
Roku Ultra (4640) Oct 2016 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes Remote[note 7] & Stream to smartphone Optical & HDMI Yes, 10/100 Mbps a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR, Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search MStar MSO9380 1.2 GHz 1 GB 1 GB Yes Yes
Sixth generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions HDR format Audio output Network USB Remote Processor [52] Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p60,
1080p60 (HD) 		2160p60
(4K) 		HDR10/Dolby Vision Analog Optical,
HDMI 		Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Express (3900)[53] Oct 2017 Neither HDMI Neither Both No No Stream to smartphone HDMI No b/g/n No IR ARM Cortex A53 512MB 256MB No Yes
Roku Express+ (3910)[54] Oct 2017 Composite HDMI 480i Both No No Yes & Stream to smartphone HDMI No b/g/n No IR ARM Cortex A53 512MB 256MB No Yes
Roku Streaming Stick (3800)[55] Oct 2017 Neither HDMI Neither Both No No Stream to smartphone HDMI No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band No Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 512MB 256MB No Yes
Roku Streaming Stick+ (3810)[56] Oct 2017 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Stream to smartphone HDMI No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band No Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB No Yes
Roku Ultra (4660)[57] Oct 2017 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Remote[note 7] & Stream to smartphone HDMI Yes, 10/100 Mbps a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB Yes Yes
Seventh generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions HDR format Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p60,
1080p60 (HD) 		2160p60
(4K) 		HDR10/Dolby Vision Analog Optical,
HDMI 		DTS Dolby Atmos Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Premiere (3920) Sep 2018 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Stream to smartphone HDMI Yes Yes No b/g/n No IR ARM Cortex A53 1 GB[42] 512MB No Yes
Roku Premiere+ (3921) Sep 2018 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Stream to smartphone HDMI Yes Yes No b/g/n No IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB[58] 512MB[58] No Yes
Roku Ultra (4661) Sep 2018 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Remote[note 7] & Stream to smartphone HDMI Yes Yes Yes, 10/100 Mbps a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB Yes Yes
Eighth generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions HDR format Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p60,
1080p60 (HD) 		2160p60
(4K) 		HDR10/Dolby Vision Analog Optical,
HDMI 		DTS Dolby Atmos Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Streaming Stick+ (3810) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0a Yes Yes No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes*, for long-range wireless receiver IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB No Yes
Roku Express (3930) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both No No Stream to smartphone HDMI 1.4b Yes Yes No b/g/n Yes*, for power IR ARM Cortex A53 512MB 256MB No Yes
Roku Express+ (3931) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both No No Stream to smartphone HDMI 1.4b Yes Yes No b/g/n Yes*, for power IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 512MB 256MB No Yes
Roku Premiere (3920) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0a Yes Yes No b/g/n Yes*, for power IR ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB[58] No Yes
Roku Ultra LT (4662) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Remote & Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0a Yes Yes Yes a/b/g/n/ac dual-band No IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 1GB 512MB Yes Yes
Roku Ultra (4670) Sep 2019 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10 Remote & Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0a Yes Yes Yes a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A53 2GB 512MB Yes Yes
Ninth generation
Model Introduced Video outputs Video resolutions HDR format Audio output Network USB Remote Processor Memory Channel storage [note 1] micro
SD
slot 		Netflix
with
Profiles[45]
Composite,
S-Video 		Component,
HDMI 		480i,
480p 		720p60,
1080p60 (HD) 		2160p60
(4K) 		HDR10/Dolby Vision/HLG Analog Optical,
HDMI 		DTS Dolby Atmos Ethernet 802.11
wireless
Roku Express 4K (3940X) May 2021 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10, HLG Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0b Yes No No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band MIMO Yes IR Realtek 1315 1GB 4GB No Yes
Roku Express 4K+ (3941X) May 2021 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10, HLG Remote & Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0b Yes No No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band MIMO Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search Realtek 1315 1GB 4GB No Yes
Roku Ultra (4800) Oct 2020 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes All Remote & Stream to smartphone HDMI 2.0b Yes Yes Yes a/b/g/n/ac dual-band MIMO Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search ARM Cortex A55 2GB 4GB No Yes
Roku Streambar (9102R) Oct 2020 Neither HDMI Neither Both Yes HDR10, HLG Remote & Stream to smartphone Optical, HDMI 2.0a Yes Yes No a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Yes IR,Wi-Fi Direct, Voice Search MStar C2 1GB 512MB No Yes

Roku TV[]

Roku announced its first branded Smart TV and it was released in late 2014. These TVs are manufactured by companies like TCL, Westinghouse and Hisense, and use the Roku user interface as the "brain" of the TV. Roku TVs are updated just like the streaming devices.[59] More recent[vague] models also integrate a set of features for use with over-the-air TV signals, including a program guide that provides information for shows and movies available on local antenna broadcast TV, as well as where that content is available to stream, and the ability to pause live TV (although the feature requires a USB hard drive with at least 16GB storage).

In January 2020, Roku created a badge to certify devices as working with a Roku TV model.[citation needed] The first certified brands were TCL North America, Sound United, Polk Audio, Marantz, Definitive Technology, and Classé.[citation needed]

In January 2021, a Roku executive said one out of three smart TVs sold in the United States and Canada came with Roku's operating system built-in.[60]

Software[]

The Roku box runs a custom Linux distribution called Roku OS. Updates to the software include bug fixes, security updates, feature additions, and many new interface revisions. Roku pushes OS updates to supported devices in a staggered release. OS updates are rolled out to a percentage group of candidate devices to ensure the build is stable before being made available en masse.

Content and programming[]

Roku provides video services from a number of Internet-based video on demand providers.

Roku channels[]

Content on Roku devices is provided by Roku partners and are identified using the term channel. Users can add or remove different channels using the Roku Channel Store. Roku's website does not specify which channels are free to its users.

Service creation for Roku Player[]

The Roku is an open-platform device with a freely available software development kit that enables anyone to create new channels.[61] The channels are written in a Roku-specific language called BrightScript, a scripting language the company describes as 'unique', but "similar to Visual Basic" and "similar to JavaScript".[62]

Developers who wish to test their channels before a general release, or who wish to limit viewership, can create "private" channels that require a code be entered by the user in the account page of the Roku website. These private channels, which are not part of the official Roku Channel Store, are neither reviewed or certified by Roku.[63][64]

There is an NDK (Native Developer Kit) available, though it has added restrictions.[62]

The Roku Channel[]

Roku launched its own streaming channel on its devices in October 2017. It is ad-supported, but free. Its licensed content includes movies and TV shows from studios such as Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal as well as Roku channel content publishers American Classics, FilmRise, Nosey, OVGuide, Popcornflix, Vidmark, and YuYu. It is implementing an ad revenue sharing model with content providers. On August 8, 2018, The Roku Channel became available on the web as well.[65] Roku also added the "Featured Free" section as the top section of its main menu from which users can get access to direct streaming of shows and movies from its partners.[66]

In January 2019, premium subscription options from select content providers were added to The Roku Channel.[citation needed]

Originally only available in the U.S.,[67] it launched in the UK on April 7, 2020, with a different selection of movies and TV shows, and without premium subscription add-ons.[68]

On January 8, 2021, Roku announced that it had acquired the original content library of the defunct mobile video service Quibi for an undisclosed amount, reported to be around $100 million.[69][70] The content is being rebranded as Roku Originals.[71]

Controversies[]

Non-certified channels[]

The Daily Beast alleged that non-certified channels on Roku eased access to materials promoting conspiracy theories and terrorism content.[72]

In June 2017, a Mexico City court banned the sale of Roku products in Mexico, following claims by Televisa (via its Izzi cable subsidiary), that the devices were being used for subscription-based streaming services that illegally stream television content without permission from copyright holders. The devices used Roku's private channels feature to install the services, which were all against the terms of service Roku applies for official channels available in its store. Roku defended itself against the allegations as such, stating that these channels were not officially certified and that the company takes active measures to stop illegal streaming services.[73] The 11th Collegiate Court in Mexico City overturned the decision in October 2018, with Roku returning to the Mexican market soon after; Televisa's streaming service Blim TV would also launch on the platform.[74]

In August 2017 Roku began to display a prominent disclaimer when non-certified channels are added, warning that channels enabling piracy may be removed "without prior notice".[75][64][76] In mid-May 2018, a software glitch caused some users to see copyright takedown notices on legitimate services such as Netflix and YouTube. Roku acknowledged and patched the glitch.[77][78]

Carriage disputes[]

Pay television-styled carriage disputes emerged on the Roku platform in 2020, as the company requires providers to agree to revenue sharing for subscription services that are billed through the platform, and to hold 30% of advertising inventory.[79] On September 18 of that same year, Roku announced that NBCUniversal TV Everywhere services would be removed from its devices "as early as this weekend", due to its refusal to carry the company's streaming service Peacock under terms it deemed "unreasonable".[79] It reached an agreement with NBCUniversal later that day.[80] HBO Max was unavailable on Roku since its launch until December 2020 due to similar disputes over revenue sharing, particularly in regards to an upcoming ad-supported tier.[81][82] On December 17 of that same year, HBO Max began streaming on Roku.[83]

Another dispute, starting mid-December 2020, caused Spectrum customers to be unable to download the Spectrum TV streaming app to their Roku devices; existing customers could retain the app, but would lose it upon deletion, even to fix software bugs. This dispute was resolved on August 17, 2021.[84][85]

On April 30, 2021, Roku removed the over-the-top television service YouTube TV from its Channels Store, preventing it from being downloaded. The company accused operator Google LLC of making demands regarding its YouTube app that it considered "predatory, anti-competitive and discriminatory", including enhanced access to customer data, giving YouTube greater prominence in Roku's search interface, and requiring that Roku implement specific hardware standards that could increase the cost of its devices. Roku accused Google of "leveraging its YouTube monopoly to force an independent company into an agreement that is both bad for consumers and bad for fair competition."[86][87]

Google claimed that Roku had "terminated our deal in bad faith amidst our negotiation", stating that it wanted to renew the "existing reasonable terms" under which Roku offered YouTube TV. Google denied Roku's claims regarding customer data and prominence of the YouTube app, and stated that its carriage of a YouTube app was under a separate agreement, and unnecessarily brought into negotiations.[88] As a partial workaround, YouTube began to deploy an update to its main app on Roku and other platforms, which integrates the YouTube TV service.[87][89]

See also[]

  • Comparison of set-top boxes
  • SoundBridge, another Roku product
  • Smart TV

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i In the first generation players, the size of flash memory limited the number of channels that could be installed. Later models (>2100) removed that limit.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c 1080p at p24 or p30 only.
  3. ^ The component video connector on the Roku XDS (2100X) is a nonstandard 3.5mm connector and a proprietary adapter cable, which is sold separately, is effectively required to use this.[36]
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Bluetooth remote optional.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b 1080p at p60 only.
  6. ^ 1080p at p24.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Analog audio output is available only through the headphone jack on the remote.
  8. ^ WiFi Direct Remote optional.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame: Roku DVP N1000". IEEE Spectrum. December 6, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Roku tops 55M active accounts as user growth and engagement slow in Q2". FierceVideo. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Butler, Dave. "History of Roku: Timeline and Facts". TheStreet. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Carr, Austin (January 23, 2013). "Inside Netflix's Project Griffin: The Forgotten History Of Roku Under Reed Hastings". Fastcompany. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Bouma, Luke (December 16, 2015). "A Short History of The Roku Player". Cord Cutter News. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  6. ^ "Roku buys adtech platform dataxu for $150 million". TechCrunch. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Hansell, Saul (May 20, 2008). "Netflix to Sell a Device for Instantly Watching Movies on TV Sets". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Dumas, Daniel (May 20, 2008). "Review: Roku Netflix Set Top Box Is Just Shy of Totally Amazing". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
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