All articles tagged with #roku
Best Buy’s Memorial Day sale drops Pioneer’s 70-inch 4K Roku TV to $299 (a $210 savings from $509.99), a standout price for a 70-inch set with HDR10 and three HDMI ports, backed by solid review scores.
Roku’s major 15.2 software update is rolling out to TVs and players but has caused a crash in the wireless audio ecosystem, breaking pairing with soundbars and speakers for some users and leaving households with only built-in TV audio. Roku confirms the issue and is investigating while continuing the phased rollout; there’s currently no way to delay the update once it installs, and a fix is expected via a future patch.
Roku has begun a staged rollout of Roku OS 15.2 to compatible TVs and streaming players. The update focuses on developer-facing improvements—Perfetto-based app tracing with a BrightScript heap graph, the chanperf command for raw CPU stats, new debug protocol variables, and expanded BrightScript APIs for low-memory handling and input control—along with AES-GCM encryption support. End users should see smoother performance, faster app launches, more reliable playback, and better multitasking as the rollout continues over several weeks to a month, with some older devices likely receiving fewer features or updates on a different schedule.
A late-April class-action filed in the Central District of California (Else v. Roku, Inc.) accuses Roku and TCL via TTE Technology of bricking Roku-enabled TCL TVs through faulty software updates, causing freezes, black screens, boot loops, or power-on failures across Roku Select/Plus and TCL Roku TV models. Plaintiffs allege marketing promised reliable performance and ongoing improvements, but updates degraded core functions, seeking class certification, damages, and changes to update disclosures and practices. The case is in its early stages and responses from Roku/TCL have not yet been publicly provided.
A federal class-action accuses Roku and TCL of releasing repeatedly defective software updates for RokuOS TVs that cause freezing, restarts, failure to turn on, or degraded performance. The suit covers Roku Select and Plus Series sets and TCL models running RokuOS; it seeks a jury trial, damages, and injunctive relief. Filed in a Southern California federal court, the case highlights concerns about firmware quality across affordable smart TVs within Roku’s long-standing partnership with TCL.
A federal class action accuses Roku Inc. and TCL North America of selling Roku-powered smart TVs that become inoperable after automatic software updates, including crashes and black screens. Led by Terri Else, the suit seeks nationwide and California subclasses under case 8:26-cv-00748 in the Central District of California, claiming rushed updates violate warranties and California law (UCL/CLRA) and seeking injunctive relief, damages, and full purchase-price restitution. If certified, the case could affect thousands of households and influence how software updates are treated in consumer electronics.
Tom's Guide explains Roku logs what you watch to build ad profiles, but you can cut back on data collection with 3 steps: disable ad tracking, block microphone access for channels, and turn off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). These changes reduce targeted ads and tracking while keeping most features, though other streaming services still collect their own usage data.
The CW just announced two streaming partnerships: a deal with ESPN to stream CW sports—including ACC, Pac-12 and Mountain West college games, WWE NXT, and NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series—on the ESPN app for subscribers to ESPN Unlimited (launching in summer) with no extra price tag beyond the bundle, and a Roku Channel pact to air CW’s entertainment programming the day after its network air, starting in fall, plus about 800 hours of CW library content—expanding the network’s reach by pairing live sports with broad, free-to-access streaming on Roku.
The CW announced new streaming partnerships with ESPN and Roku to broaden its footprint: about 800 hours of CW sports will stream on the ESPN app, while CW entertainment titles will drop on the Roku Channel the day after their linear premieres; the free CW app will continue next-day entertainment streams, with terms undisclosed as the network pivots toward live sports under Nexstar ownership.
Hallmark Media is shutting down its dedicated TV Everywhere app on Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, and other major platforms on March 31, 2026; starting April 1, users will see errors or redirects if they try to open the app. Hallmark+ streaming remains active, and traditional Hallmark channels stay available via cable. The move reflects broader industry shifts toward direct-to-consumer streaming and the higher costs of maintaining authenticated apps across many devices.
Roku rolled out a long-awaited live TV guide search feature to simplify discovery across its free ad-supported channels, while Comcast and Charter/Spectrum saw substantial broadband subscriber losses—part of a broader cord-cutting wave into 2026. YouTube TV also split Cartoon Network and Adult Swim into separate channels, requiring manual navigation to switch between them and signaling ongoing evolution in streaming lineups and how viewers access family-friendly versus mature content.
Roku has added real-time local weather forecasts to the Roku City screensaver on Roku TVs and players, integrating current conditions and temperatures into the animated cityscape. The data comes from weather services with privacy protections, and the update aims to blend entertainment with utility, reducing the need to switch apps. The feature is rolling out and should please existing users while attracting new ones.
Roku now offers a free HDMI extender on demand for Streaming Stick owners to address fit issues with recessed or crowded HDMI ports, improve airflow, and reduce interference; eligible devices can request the extender via Roku's online form using the device serial number, and it ships at no cost within weeks, with the program aiming to limit waste by not bundling the accessory with every device.
Roku is adding AI-generated, locally tailored weather updates to ad breaks on The Roku Channel and compatible Roku TVs/Players. The short briefs provide current conditions and short-term forecasts using real-time data, delivered via natural-sounding AI voice during ads, with location targeting to personalize content. The feature aims to make ad-supported streaming more practical and engaging, rolling out on the Roku Channel with automatic updates for devices and potential future enhancements.
Roku has added six free live channels to The Roku Channel on Roku TVs and players, expanding its lineup of over 350 ad-supported, no-subscription options. Accessible via the Live TV section with no extra setup beyond device activation, the new channels—The Virginian, Raza Canal, OverTime, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, TV Amor, and My Wife & Kids—enhance free streaming without a subscription.