Roku unveils new platform features in US

Streaming operator and smart TV manufacturer, Roku, has announced it will introduce a range of new features to its platform in the US in the coming months.

Among its sports tier, the new features include a favouriting toll which allows users to track live and upcoming sporting events in one curated row. A Highlights feature will be introduced where users will be able to watch clips of recent sporting events. More sport content will also be launching on Roku, with an expanded motorsport offering in early 2024 and new sports content from Max in the coming weeks.

Roku is also making enhancements to the Live TV Channel Guide by personalising the order of channels in the Guide and removing channel numbers.

The company has also enhanced its music experience with new controls to shuffle, skip ahead, add video playlists and receive recommendations for similar playlists. Roku has also partnered with Warner Music Group and their artist services, media & creative content division WMX, to create 75 playlists in The Roku Channel from Atlantic Records recording artists through the years.

With a focus on discoverability, upgrades will be made to The What to Watch categories to get users to their content faster. In addition, the New Experiences feature related to a specific genre or topic such as food or home will roll out across the platform where users can browse through a curated selection of entertainment specific to each genre.

Other features include Roku Mobile App Search, allowing users to simply navigate new entertainment and more.

“As the leaders in streaming TV, we’ve made it our priority to offer a platform that anticipates our user’s needs and adapts in real time,” said Preston Smalley, Vice President of Viewer Product at Roku. “With endless content to choose from and ways to watch, we will continue to innovate and release feature updates to our millions of users that better the viewing experience, making Roku the go-to destination for TV streaming.”