They will be available for free to customers who have access to this TV channel, which is available on Roku devices, Sky Q and Now streaming sticks and boxes.
Some of the shows coming to the platform include Die Hart, featuring Kevin Hart, Chrissy’s Court, featuring Chrissy Teigen and Cup of Joe, featuring Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner. All 30 shows were originally available on the now defunct mobile streaming service, Quibi.
All the shows will be optimised for the traditional TV landscape orientation, but will still be packaged as short-form content. Users won’t be able to watch any of the titles in a portrait-orientation style, as they could with Quibi. To keep everything free, Roku will broadcast advertisements between each episode.
Roku believes that the company will have success with these original shows where Quibi didn’t because of its existing audience base, as well as the fact that this content is all available at no extra charge.
You can take a look at the official trailer below:
#FreeRayshawnAbout FaceBad Ideas with Adam DevineBarkitechtureBig Rad WolfBlackballedCenterpieceChrissy’s CourtCup of JoeDie HartDishmantledDummyFight Like a GirlFlippedThe FugitiveGayme ShowIron Sharpens IronLast LooksLet’s Roll with Tony GreenhandMost Dangerous GameMurder House FlipMurder UnboxedNightgownsProdigyPunk’dReno 911!RoyaltiesShape of PastaThanks a MillionYou Ain’t Got These
There are plenty more Roku Originals from Quibi in the pipeline, which will be released gradually over the coming months. This includes around a dozen originals that have never been seen before.
What we don’t know is whether any of the current shows will get a second season. It seems unlikely, considering the expense that must have gone into acquiring the talent for these titles – which ultimately played a huge part in Quibi’s downfall.
To celebrate the launch, Roku is offering some discounts on its products. UK customers can get £5 off the Roku Express and £10 off the Roku Streaming Stick+ until 25 May 2021, and £30 off the Roku Streambar from 19 May 2021 until 8 June 2021.
The Roku Channel is also available on the Roku Express 4K, a new streaming box that is launching soon in the UK.
Hannah Cowton is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor and Macworld, working across entertainment, consumer technology and lifestyle. Her interests and specialities lie in streaming services, film and television reviews and rumours, gaming, wearables and smart home products. She’s also the creator of The London Geek, a geek culture and lifestyle blog.
