Saturday, May 26, 2018

Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #272





Hi, everyone !!



It's been less than three years since Roku announced that they would be relocating from their offices in Saratoga to sublease a larger workspace in Los Gatos and establish their new headquarters but, barely more than two years after they moved in, a recent report by Janice Bitters published in the Silicon Valley Business Journal suggests that they may already be looking for a bigger HQ space. The commercial real estate reporter believes that Roku is seeking around 400,000 sq. ft, and has zeroed-in on the Coleman Highline Project (a 45.5 acre development by Hunter Storm) which is currently still under construction in San Jose, California. Here's an image depicting the proposed site:-




PHOTO SOURCE: Business Journal


Apparently, Roku is looking to lease between 350,000 square feet and 450,000 square feet, which represents a big expansion from the company’s current 160,000 square foot HQ in Los Gatos that they subleased from Netflix. However with that 2015 agreement, also reported by Business Journal, set to expire around the end of 2019 it could explain why Roku has set out to find a new home now. Coupled with the fact (at the end of last year) the company had 817 people on it's books compared to a staff of just 400 towards the end of 2015 (when it first took over the former Netflix headquarters), plus reports from other sources that Roku has been busy "touring properties" in recent months, and it becomes clear that the company’s growth needs will have to be met. Since few places besides Hunter Storm’s Coleman Highline are positioned to deliver the square footage that Roku will require, this South Bay development project is likely to be high on the company's list for a new headquarters! :-)


The only other significant piece of Roku-related news that I came across in the last week is (perhaps) of more importance to readers from the United States as it concerns the 'Twitter for Roku' channel, which for some unknown reason (most likely pertaining to licensing restrictions over the content) was never made available via the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that 'Twitter' have decided to remove their video app from the Roku platform - as well as from both the Xbox plus Android TV platforms - although, apparently, it will continue to remain available for users of 'Apple TV' and/or 'Fire TV' devices in the USA. I don't propose to go into further detail about this particular story here, since it's already been widely reported via the likes of Variety, CNET, Engadget, Tech Crunch, and The Verge, amongst others... but, if you'd like to know the specifics of the app for which support was officially ended on Thursday 24th May 2018, you will find a link to the official description of the 'Twitter for Roku' channel, as well as the 'Roku Guide' review, below:-






TWITTER FOR ROKU...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***N.B. NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON THE ROKU PLATFORM AS OF 24th MAY 2018***



Given how Twitter recently suspended my own Twitter account, as reported five weeks ago, coupled with the fact that their Roku channel was never extended to the United Kingdom... my own thoughts on the matter border on the "couldn't care less" feeling that seemed to pervade the related article from the website of Android Central when they reported on the subject earlier this week. The irony of how they permanently suspended my Roku-related Twitter account, only to then remove their own video app from the very platform for which my blog (and former social media presence) were created is not entirely lost on me, however... and nor is the fact that Twitter then decided not to remove their video app from Amazon's 'Fire TV' when it was the streaming platform that ultimately took away their right to stream 'Thursday Night Football' in the U.S. and (quite possibly) made a significant contribution to the situation whereby the decision to drop their video streaming app became necessary. Likewise, the suggestion that Twitter is shutting-down their video apps for Roku and other platforms because it had to make changes "to comply with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)" which took effect on 25th May 2018, as reported by Variety et al (see links above), has added another touch of irony - on account of the fact that their video app (for Roku, at least) was not even available in Europe and/or the UK. Perhaps the recent agreement between Twitter and Disney to bring future live content from ESPN (and others) to the social media platform, as reported on the Variety website, has something to do with the shake-up to it's video streaming plans? Whatever the reason might be, I guess we will find out soon enough... so stay tuned to future 'Weekly RoundUp' posts for info! ;-) :-)


Anyway, with no other Roku-related news to share this week, I'm now going to get straight into bringing you details of all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which have been 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 some (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) more "missing" links to the 'Roku Guide' reviews for almost three quarters of the channels published during the last seven days... which means, much like many other posts from recent months, I'm going to have to leave it for each of you to (once more) access those details on your own. As of three months ago, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s)... or else, 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 get a chance to catch-up on them 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 20th May 2018 and 26th May 2018:-







RESILIENT MEDIA GROUP.................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

PLEASE NOTE:- That, because this 'Resilient Media Group' channel was previously made available via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store on 8th May 2018, you will not see it listed among the more recent additions to the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Instead, you will need to scroll down a lot further - past the current crop of new channels which make up the bulk of this post - until you spot the above channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for the app. That's if you wish to install it via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) as opposed to the online method (via the web channel store) using the link above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon). Of course, you could also choose to find and then add this app by way of the built-in 'Search' feature on your Roku device(s) by typing-in the channel name as your search term. Chances are, you won't have to finish entering the whole thing before you see the name of the channel listed among the results on the right-hand side of your screen - in fact, you may not even need to complete the first word... but, the main thing is, it's now available to install on your device(s) if you so wish! ;-) :-)







VIDEO GAME TV..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "APPS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

PLEASE NOTE:- That, because this 'Video Game TV' channel was previously made available via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store on 18th May 2018, you will not see it listed among the more recent additions to the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Instead, as with the 'Resilient Media Group' channel (outlined above) you'll need to scroll down a bit further - past the current crop of new apps which make up the bulk of this post - until you spot the above icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for this channel. Again, that's if you wish to install it via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) as opposed to the online method (via the web channel store) using the link above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon). As before, you could also choose to find and then add this app by way of the built-in 'Search' feature on your Roku device(s) by typing-in the channel name as your search term. As mentioned previously, you probably won't even have to enter the whole thing before you see the name of the channel listed among the results on the right-hand side of your screen - but, unlike the 'Resilient Media Group' channel, you may need more than just the first word... but, in any event, it's now also available to install on your device(s) if you wish! ;-) :-)







SCUBA DIVING....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






OFF ROAD VEHICLES............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






FREECELL PRO.............................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






CENTRAL NOW.....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






MAX GARCIA TV.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






SNOWBOARDER MAGAZINE...........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






GIGGLE ZONE - KIDS FUNNY TV!......................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






NCC-SAFEHARBOR.............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






TRANSWORLD MOTOCROSS...........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






IMPACT TV INTERNATIONAL..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






RIDE BMX.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






AWESOME PLANET - NATURE TV.....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






TRIBAL TV............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






WORLD ASSOCIATION OF WRESTLING...........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






TRIPLE-X MOTORSPORTS & OUTDOOR...........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






GRACE FELLOWSHIP OF GEORGETOWN.........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






TRANSWORLD SNOWBOARDING.....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






INGOMA..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






LANG REALTY TV................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






THE TOY REVEAL CHANNEL..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






CUTE & FUNNY ANIMALS...................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






GH CANADA TV - GHANAIAN TV.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






THE MIXOLOGY CHANNEL..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






AMAZING WATERFALLS................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






THE TRAVEL CHANNEL.....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "TRAVEL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






FOOTPRINT NETWORK......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






TELERISA.............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






LEAVE IT TO BEAVER........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






DJTV...............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






ALFRED HITCHCOCK.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






YOUNGSTOWN STV............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






WOODLAWN BAPTIST HIGH POINT NC............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






INCLUSION NETWORKS...............COST: FREE + $5.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***


PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'Inclusion Networks' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does allow you to browse the entire content library without needing to part with any money, anyone who wishes to actually watch the videos which are featured therein should be fully aware that A SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE REQUIRED at a cost of USD $5.99 PER MONTH before you will be able to view anything. Should you wish to subscribe in the long-term, then there's also their ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION OPTION at a cost of USD $65.99 PER YEAR but, since that amounts to little more than getting one month free over the full twelve month term, it offers very little incentive for paying so much in advance unless you simply wish to avoid making monthly payments. As always, you'll find more info in the 'Roku Guide' review of this channel (see link above)... and, if need be, there's also the official website for 'Inclusion Networks' where further details can be found! ;-) :-)







BALLER ALERT TV........................COST: FREE + $4.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***


PLEASE NOTE:- That, while 'Baller Alert TV' is FREE-TO-ADD to Roku devices and (currently) offers a large selection of videos that are FREE-TO-STREAM by Roku users, the app description from the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store states that it "May require additional fees" in order to view certain content therein. From what I understand, there are two paid subscription options which are associated with this channel: firstly, as indicated above, there is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION plan at a cost of USD $4.99 PER MONTH, and; secondly, there is an ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION plan at a cost of USD $40.99 PER YEAR that offers significant savings (approximately one-third off) for anyone willing / able to pay for a full twelve months in advance. That said, from my own (brief) experience of watching 'Baller Alert TV', it seemed that no charges were applicable for viewing any of the existing video library - as was present when the channel was first launched - so, if you want to get a better idea of what to expect from the channel, the best idea is (probably) to watch the content now, while it is still free to do so. That way, if they do start charging in the future, you will (at least) know the kind of content that you are likely to be getting with a paid subscription to the channel. Of course, you could also visit the official website of 'Baller Alert TV' for more information, if need be... or, if you prefer, there are further opportunities to connect with them on social media through their official Twitter Feed: @BallerAlert as well as an official FB Page: Baller Alert (Facebook) where I'm sure they'll be only too pleased to hear from you with any questions or comments you may have! :-)








RECIPE BOX TV................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






RyTA................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***






THE CHURCH AT AGAPE OUTPOST.................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






DIVINE WORLD CHANGERS.............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






ARES GAMING....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***






CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD TV...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***



*********************************************


Anyhow, like it or not, that is your lot this week and, while it doesn't quite amount to sixty percent of the seventy-two channels which made it into the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store in the same time-frame, it's better to get these 42 NEW CHANNELS than none at all... as I'm sure you agree!?! Just ask anyone who owns a NowTV Box, because they lost another three channels this week! :-O


In any event, hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the forty-two "public" channels outlined above... or else from the "private" channels, whose access codes have been "gifted" to you via the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels to this blog, at various points over the past months and years. However, if you didn't find anything to add to your Roku channel selection from the assortment of apps on offer this week, you can always pay us a visit another time when, with any luck, there will be something more to your liking. After all, there's no point installing every app because, like I say... when it comes to adding new channels to your Roku, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS!



*********************************************


As touched upon previously, you can expect my usual summary of all the goings-on (or not) in the (severely restricted) Roku Channel Store (aka "App Store") that features on NowTV devices to follow in the near future. Meanwhile, whether you happen to own a Roku player, a NowTV Box, OR BOTH, as I do... be sure to check my earlier posts (as mentioned before) for all the new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store in each of the one hundred and ninety-eight preceding weeks and then come back again in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp'. Hopefully, by the time I make my next post, I will have sorted out another (new) companion Twitter Feed to replace the now suspended: @ukrokuchannels account so there will still be a presence on the social media platform via which up-to-the-minute info on Roku-related matters (here in the UK) is posted on a daily basis!



Until the next time, then...



That's all folks !!