Hi, everyone !!
If you happen to follow the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels, then you will already be aware that the single most significant piece of Roku-related news (from a UK perspective) was the announcement, via a joint press release from the 'NBCUniversal International' publicity department, and the Roku Newsroom, that the new app for their Reality TV "On-Demand" catch-up service - perhaps better known to many as the 'hayu' streaming service - has finally been added to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store... meaning those with compatible Roku devices in the UK can now access "on-demand" content from the 'Reality On-Demand' specialist. Here is a screenshot of the promotional image shared via 'BusinessWire' when passing-on the news following it's release:-
Of course... while the above official announcement came on Friday 16th March 2018, and was followed by this belated / related post from the "official" Roku Stream Blog, I had actually been the first one to break the news via my companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels on Thursday 15th March - i.e. the day before the official announcement(s) from 'hayu' and 'Roku' were made - so anyone who was "following" my tweets on Thursday would have known about the availability of this new 'hayu' channel way ahead of everyone else, as evidenced by the screenshot below:-
Much like the breaking news I shared a few weeks ago about the launch of 'UKTVPlay' on UK Roku devices, in my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #259" post, this demonstrates why it is worth following the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels - because you get the news when it happens (sometimes even before the official announcements) and can stay ahead of the pack when it comes to what is new and current in the world of Roku streaming media players. So, if you haven't already done so, get yourself a 'Twitter' account and give me a "follow" to get in on the next "NEWSFLASH", or "SPECIAL OFFERS", or other Roku-related "UPDATES" that I share! ;-)
Anyway, with no other major Roku-related (or Roku-specific) news to share with you this week, I'm now going to turn my attention to bringing you details for all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which were released during the seven days since my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post was published! :-)
Firstly, though, I'd just like to mention (on a not entirely un-related note) that I have now added links to most (though, still not all) of the 'Roku Guide' reviews that were previously "missing" for many of the new Roku channels released in the last few weeks... so, if you'd like to see an independent appraisal of those, be sure to check-out my post from last week (see link above), which (itself) contains a link to the previous week's post (and so-on, and so-forth), for details of where to find them. Unfortunately, there are (yet again) even more "missing" links to 'Roku Guide' reviews for more than twenty per cent of the channels published during the last seven days... which means, much like many other posts from recent months, I'm (once more) going to have to leave it for each of you to access those details on your own. As of five weeks ago, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) or by following the links provided in each post to the relevant channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store. Meanwhile, once the "missing" reviews have been published by 'Roku Guide', I will (as I have done previously) ensure that I add the relevant links to each post. Apologies (as always) for any inconvenience that may be caused by the absence of active links to an independent review for so many of these new apps but, like I say, it was entirely out of my hands. Hopefully they will catch-up on any they missed sometime in the coming week!?! ;-) :-)
Still, back to the list... which, as always, will help you to identify the very latest apps that have been added to Roku devices in the UK. Other websites offering Roku channel listings will base their contents on the Roku USA Channel Store, which means they also include apps that are unavailable to UK Roku users. So, like I've said before... if you really want to know what's available channel-wise, for owners of Roku devices in the UK, you need to be reading this blog each and every week! ;-) :-)
With twice the number of active links to check out, not just for this week... but each and every post that has been previously published as part of my 'Weekly RoundUp' series over the last five years, there's a *lot* of reading to catch-up on. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all new Roku channels released between 11th March 2018 and 17th March 2018:-
HAYU......................COST: FREE (1-Month Trial) + £3.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, because 'hayu' is intended for use in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you will not be able to use the above link (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to install this Roku channel in other countries and/or regions where Roku streaming media players are marketed / sold (e.g. Canada and the United States). Likewise, for similar reasons, there is no active link to an 'Roku Guide' review for 'hayu' due to their not being able to access the channel from the USA. Obviously, since the 'hayu' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to Roku devices for those in the UK & Ireland, and they offer a FREE ONE-MONTH TRIAL for all who register to get you started, your best bet is to simply add it and see for yourself what is on offer! ;-) :-)
However, for the benefit of everyone else, I'm going to provide some additional links and information (over & above the norm) to this post. For starters, here's some screenshots that were taken from the web channel store description to highlight some of the 'Reality TV' shows on offer:-
HINT: Please CLICK on the above images TO ENLARGE THEM for easier viewing !!
All of the above images (as well as a couple more besides) can be viewed either online, by following the above link to the Roku UK Web Channel Store description below (and to the left of) the channel icon for 'hayu', or via the built-in channel store on all compatible UK Roku devices, where it can be found within the "Film & TV" category... or, just use the Roku 'Search' feature to add it now! ;-) :-)
SO, WHAT'S "HAYU" ALL ABOUT!?! Well, if you have yet to come across it, the 'hayu' catch-up service is the place to watch your favourite reality shows whenever and wherever you want. With loads of reality shows available the same day as the U.S. and thousands of episodes of binge-worthy Box Sets to enjoy from the start, 'hayu' is the undoubted home of 'Reality TV'. So much so, in fact, they refer to it simply as "Reality On-Demand" in the 'About' page on their official website. The newly released Roku channel for 'hayu' can (of course) be streamed on Roku devices, by anyone in the UK or Ireland, but the service is also available via computer, tablet or smart phone to subscribers in both of those regions as well as in several Scandinavian countries plus subscribers from Australia. A subscription covers all of these platforms and enables registered users to browse & watch all the 'Latest Episodes', or peruse and then stream content from their entire 'A-Z List of Shows', as well as binge-watch 'Collections', or keep abreast of what is 'Coming Soon' to the service. If you pay a visit to their official website, you will find links to download an iOS (Apple) app (from the iTunes Store), plus an Android app (from the Google Play Store) so that you can also enjoy streaming 'hayu' on your mobile devices, whenever your Roku is not available! Should you have further questions, you have the option to connect with 'hayu' on social media, via their Twitter Feed: @hayu_uk or their FB Page: hayu (Facebook), as well as watch more snippets, clips & trailers through the official 'hayu' channel for 'YouTube' online. Should you need assistance with any aspect of the 'hayu' streaming service, then help is available through online support from the website, as well as via Twitter: @hayuhelps! ;-) :-)
SCIENTOLOGY NETWORK...................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CRAZY AND FUNNY ANIMALS............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CARTOONS WORLD...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
GLAM.....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
NIGHT SKY........................................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CHINESE LANTERNS......................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CARTOON CLASSICS CHANNEL......................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
NATURE LIVE 4K - SCREEN SAVERS..................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
WANDERLUSTER TRAVEL TV.............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "TRAVEL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
GETREEL - CELEBRITY NEWS.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SALON.COM......................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "NEWS & WEATHER" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'Salon.com' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s), anyone wishing to view the content library of videos available, will first need to create an account or login with an existing 'Salon.com' account. Further details of the various options for doing-so can be found on the official website of 'Salon.com', as well as the 'Roku Guide' review (see link above), for anyone interested in "on-demand" access to the critically acclaimed / award-nominated programming which covers the best of 'SalonTV'. Created by the award-winning Salon.com team, 'SalonTV' is one of the fastest growing networks for news, politics, culture, entertainment, innovation and business. So, if you'd like to stay informed on the latest politics and culture stories, you'll find lots of insightful and forward-thinking coverage among the videos included on this new Roku channel! :-)
SPYDAR TV...........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
KARTOON FUN TIME..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
AUSTRALIA CHANNEL......COST: FREE (1-Week Trial) + $6 AUD (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "NEWS & WEATHER" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although the 'Australia Channel' from Sky News Australia is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does offer a ONE-WEEK FREE TRIAL through which to assess whether (or not) this online streaming service is something you wish to subscribe to on a regular basis, anyone wishing to keep the 3 LIVE CHANNELS of News, Sport and Business (plus exclusive "on-demand" programming) beyond the trial period should be aware that a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION must be paid - in the amount of $6.00 AUD [Australian Dollars] PER MONTH - to maintain access to the mix of Video on Demand (VoD) and Live Streaming content from Sky News Australia. For the benefit of those in other countries or regions where Roku is supported, the 'Australia Channel' is NOT available to stream in Australia or New Zealand... despite being available to 180 countries worldwide! :-O
ALSO:- In addition to being on the Roku streaming platform, the mix of Australian news, business, politics, sports news and public affairs programming found on the 'Australia Channel' from Sky News Australia is also available via laptops, mobile phones, tablets, Chromecast and Apple TV. You'll find a full list of supported devices and operating systems on the 'Australia Channel' website. To subscribe to this streaming service, and/or start your 1-week free trial, go to their official website to get started. Just enter your email address and choose a password. Select a package and enter your credit card info to begin watching. You won’t be charged during your free trial and you can cancel at anytime. There are no "lock-in" contracts with the 'Australia Channel' but, if you'd like more information about their billing and cancellation procedures, further details can be found in the 'FAQ Section' of their website. :-)
AVE MARIA RADIO.............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TWITCH BABES & FAILS - GAMING..................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CATAWBA BAPTIST CHURCH...........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CHRIST'S CHURCH..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
LET'S PLAY FORTNITE - GAMING......................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
RABBIT EARS TV..................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
LIFESTYLE TV.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
MUSCLES BEACH SCENES................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JAMROCKONE TV...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***