Cable television is going out of trend and may well soon disappear altogether. That’s why the number of companies that provide video streaming devices for your TV is growing. Some of the most popular devices include Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku TV.
On Roku, you can watch thousands of different programs from various video streaming services. All you need is an Internet connection and a Roku, Roku Stick, or Roku TV streaming media device, and you’re all set. So, let’s take a closer look at Roku TV and how it works.
What is Roku?
Roku is a company that provides a streaming video service. Roku’s various streaming media devices account for about a third of the streaming media market, and it has more installed devices than its competitors.
There are several streaming media devices running on the Roku operating system. They range from set-top boxes and small sticks that plug into the back of an existing TV to universal Roku TVs that build Roku capabilities into the flat-panel LCD TV.
Roku TV appeared in 2008, although the company was founded in 2002 and started as ReplayTV. But the ReplayTV project was unsuccessful. Starting in 2008, set-top boxes were launched with the support of Netflix. At the time, TVs didn’t have an Internet connection, and this solution was interesting and in demand.
And now Roku is in demand because it allows you to make ordinary TVs smart. The extensive channel library also makes it easy to use third-party pay-per-view services. With a Roku account, you can subscribe to other channels.
What Roku devices are available now?
Today you can buy these types of Roku devices:
- Roku Express
- Roku Express 4K+
- Roku Ultra
- Roku Streaming Stick+
- Roku Streambar
- Roku Streambar Pro
- Roku TVs
You can find all the devices on the official Roku website. You can find all the devices on the official Roku website. Also, there are often different sales and discounts.
How does Roku TV function?
Roku TV doesn’t need an additional device (set-top box) to be connected. All you need is a stable Internet connection and a Roku account. Some Roku OS TVs may also be equipped with Ethernet connectors. Therefore, if you have a cable, it is better to use it instead of a wireless connection. In most cases, however, a Wi-Fi connection works just fine.
Roku TV requires minimal setup. Pretty much all you need to do is install certain “channels” or apps on Roku to watch specific streaming video services. For example, if you want to watch Netflix, you install a Netflix channel on your Roku device. This is easily done through the Roku Channel Store.
All installed channels are displayed on the Home screen as a series of tiles. You can rearrange the titles in any order by pressing Options on the Roku remote and selecting Move Channel. This allows you to customize the Home screen to your liking.
Control your Roku TV using the included remote control or the Roku mobile app, which you can install on your iOS or Android device. You can even control your Roku player with Alexa voice commands from your Amazon Echo device.
What is available to watch on Roku TV?
Roku TV users have access to thousands of available channels. These include channels that require a subscription as well as free channels (with ads). Among the most popular streaming video services available on Roku are the following:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV+
- BritBox
- Crackle
- Discovery+
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- fuboTV
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Hulu + Live TV
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- Pluto TV
- Sling TV
- Spotify
- YouTube
Roku also offers its own channel called The Roku Channel. This channel offers many movies and TV shows, all for free but with ads.
How much will you pay for Roku TV?
Roku TVs are available at a variety of prices. You can pay up to over $2,000 for a huge Roku TV. There are plenty of manufacturers that use the Roku OS on the market. That’s why you’ll be able to find a TV that suits your tastes.
Using the Roku TV itself costs you nothing, and there are no subscription fees for the Roku service. However, you may have to pay a subscription fee for various streaming services you watch on your Roku devices, such as Netflix and HBO Max. All subscription services are payable separately.
