If it’s your first time on the Roku platform (or even your 100th), you may notice an option called The Roku Channel after you’re done setting everything up and signing in with your Roku account. Unlike some third-party apps that you have to download, the Roku Channel itself is already pre-installed and ready to go. But that leads to the big question: What exactly is The Roku Channel, and should you care?
Roku’s own channel is a hub with a wide variety of content and is a great place to start when you’re first learning how to use and customize the smart platform. We’re big fans of Roku devices and TVs, especially for those looking for an affordable streaming platform, and the Roku channel is one of the benefits you get: Here’s everything you need to know.
Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends
What is the Roku channel?
Roku Channel is Roku’s own streaming application to deliver unique content to users. It works in a similar way to apps like Hulu or Netflix, except it’s built to support a wide range of content directly from Roku. The Roku Channel was first released in 2017 and has been updated several times to improve access and expand content.
The Roku Channel should not be confused with the Roku Smart Platform that hosts the Roku Channel and other apps: You’ll always find the Roku Channel on this platform, but it’s separate from the platform itself.
Does the Roku channel cost?
Access to the basic level of Roku channels is free, and all content delivered by Roku is free to watch. But, as we’ll explain below, that doesn’t mean everything advertised on the Roku channel is free to watch — some services will have their own fees. However, there is no charge to access the service as long as you have a free Roku account.
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What’s the content like on the Roku channel?
The free content on the Roku channel changes frequently and represents a wide variety of genres, so it’s hard to give a precise list of everything it has. However, you can use the Roku channel to view things like:
- It shows as Alias and Military women
- Movies like Weird: The Story of Al Yankovic, Terminator Salvation, and Coraline
- Original series like Swimming with sharks
- Pilot episodes of recently launched shows like Interview with a vampire
- Documentaries like Killer Kids
- Cooking, nature and game shows
- Children’s content like Peppa pig
- Broadcast news 24/7 from channels like ABC, NBC, FOX and more
What can I add to the Roku channel?
Similar to Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and similar apps, Roku Channel lets you add premium subscriptions within the app to access content delivered by third-party streaming services. This includes things like Discovery+, AMC+, Starz, Showtime, Paramount+ and dozens of others. There are two important things to keep in mind here.
First, you don’t need to use Roku channels to pay for, sign up for, and watch these services, even if you’re using a Roku TV or device. You can download the third-party apps themselves to the Roku platform (as long as they are available) and use them independently without visiting the Roku channel. The big advantage here is that you can use the Roku channel to organize all your streaming services in one place and pay for them with one payment.
Second, Roku will automatically deduct monthly payments for these services from the payment option associated with your Roku account. This means that you have to be very careful when choosing advertised content on a channel or choosing shows or movies that have a Premium label. You can sign up for a monthly fee without realizing it until Roku sends you a bill.
Where is the Roku channel available?
There aren’t many regional restrictions on the Roku channel. For example, if you have a newer Roku device and a Roku account, you should be able to access it right out of the box. The exception is live news broadcasts, which are currently only available in the United States and Canada.
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Is the Roku channel available as a separate app?
Yes it is, you don’t need to use Roku’s smart platform to access it. You can download the Roku app to access it for iOS here, or for Android here, or use the web app here.
This standalone mobile app also adds some unique new features that you might want to use with your Roku device. It can connect to the Roku platform and let you switch devices remotely, use an app like a remote control, or switch to silent listening if you have a pair of headphones handy.
do i have use a Roku channel on a Roku device?
No, you can fully use all supported apps on Roku without touching the Roku channel itself. But that’s a lot of free content, which may be hard to pass up. Additionally, an exception would be subscriptions for some Roku Channel content that do not have a corresponding third-party app available for download on the Roku platform: you may need to launch the Roku Channel for such content.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn