Roku rolls out premium subscriptions on The Roku Channel

Roku has started to roll out premium subscriptions on The Roku Channel, allowing US viewers to browse and subscribe to popular premium entertainment services.

Viewers will be able to access content more than 25 premium partners, including Starz, Showtime, Epix, CuriosityStream, Hopster, MHz Choice and Smithsonian Channel Plus, with more partners expected to be added over time.

Roku said that all supported devices are expected to receive the update in the coming weeks, beginning with Roku players and concluding with Roku TV models. Viewing The Roku Channel directly from within the Roku mobile app is available for iOS devices from this week, while and an update for Android devices is expected to begin to roll out in mid-February.

“We’ve made subscription streaming easy for our customers and are putting them in control. Now there is one place on the Roku platform where users can seamlessly access both free and premium entertainment, with one click sign-up, easy subscription management and a single monthly bill,” said Rob Holmes, Roku vice-president of programming and engagement.

“The Roku Channel already delivers a great, free ad-supported experience for our users and a valuable distribution opportunity for our content partners. With the addition of Premium Subscriptions, The Roku Channel will be a better experience for our users and even more valuable for our partners.”

Roku first announced that that it would start to offer premium subscriptions on The Roku Channel at the start of the month.