The provider Roku, which is mainly present in the USA with streaming boxes and streaming sticks, wants to come onto the German market in the course of the year. The company has promised this through a PR agency committed in this country. The specific date and the planned scope of the range have not yet been announced.
The Amazon Fire TV (Stick), Google's Chromecast (Ultra) and Apple's TV (4K) will face competition from a not exactly small competitor that is established primarily in North America during the course of the year. The company Roku, which is active in Europe and in Great Britain, wants to get involved in the German market and offer users “great added value through an easy-to-use streaming TV platform with a large selection of free and paid content” with its streaming players, as it is officially called for the planned expansion.
However, Roku has not yet commented on what this will mean in concrete terms for the German market. For example, it is not yet known which of the products the company will bring to Germany, which apps will be available and which content providers Roku will potentially partner with specifically for content relevant in this country. However, the plan is to work with global and local streaming services. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Roku Express, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Ultra
A look at Roku's US website reveals an assortment divided into streaming players, soundbars and televisions. Roku Express and Roku Express 4K are the names of the streaming boxes with only HD support and with 4K, HDR and voice remote control at prices of 30 and 40 US dollars before taxes, respectively. Similar to the Fire TV Stick, the Roku Streaming Stick + connects directly to the TV and also offers 4K and HDR for $ 50. Above that, the Roku Ultra ranks for $ 80 with Dolby Vision and an extended remote control.
Soundbars and wireless speakers
With the Roku Streambar (Pro) as well as the wireless speakers and the wireless subwoofer, the manufacturer also offers soundbars with integrated streaming players that support up to 4K including HDR and Dolby audio. The soundbars start at $ 130, while surround speakers and subwoofers cost $ 150 each.
TV with Roku
Roku also sells streaming players with slightly adjusted functionality exclusively through retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy. In addition, TV brands such as TCL, Hisense, Philips and Hitachi offer so-called Roku TV, i.e. televisions with integrated streaming players, similar to what Amazon does for televisions with integrated Fire TV.
Well-known streaming apps
Apps come to the Roku in the form of” channels “, as an overview in the Channel Store shows. Well-known providers such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney + and YouTube are included. But services such as HBO Max, Peacock TV, Paramount Plus and Hulu are also offered.