The Roku Channel Begins Offering Premium Subscriptions Today
Earlier this month, Roku announced it would begin offering premium channel subscriptions through The Roku Channel by the end of the month, and it just made it. Starting today, viewers can sign up for a selection of streaming services through The Roku Channel, adding new services with one click. Services purchased this way will be grouped into one convenient monthly bill, and can only be watched through The Roku Channel.
At launch, Roku's biggest offerings are Showtime, Starz, and Epix. It lists over 25 partner services in total, including Fandor Spotlight, Lifetime Movie Club, and Smithsonian Channel Plus. Anyone signing up for Showtime, Starz, or Epix by the end of March will get a 30-day trial.
Not all Roku devices will be able to access premium subscriptions right away, as doing so requires a software update. Set-top boxes will get the update first, followed by Roku TVs. For mobile viewing, the Roku app on iOS devices will begin offering The Roku Channel today, while Android users can expect an app update in mid-February.
Channel aggregation services are expected to take off, as they make it easier for consumers to manage their OTT options and payments. Amazon Prime Video Channels has had the are to itself before this. Amazon offers more premium options than Roku (including HBO, Cinemax, CBS All Access, NBA LeaguePass, BritBox, and many more), but it's only open to Amazon Prime customers.
![](http://dzceab466r34n.cloudfront.net/Images/ArticleImages/InlineImages/120767-120202-The-Roku-Channel-Premium-ORG-ORG.jpg)
Related Articles
With high-profile OTT services launching in the near future, how will households cope with the growing demand on their wallet? By dropping subscriptions.
30 Oct 2019
An upgrade to the Roku OS will offer curated selections for popular searches, the ability to search by movie quote, and a sleep timer for Roku TVs.
19 Sep 2019
Today, Roku announces the Roku Smart Soundbar and Roku Wireless Subwoofer, both of which work with any TV to create a more immersive home theater experience.
04 Sep 2019
Advertisers will be able to target likely prospects at scale, buy OTT ads programmatically, and measure the results. The partnership could be a win for Adobe, Roku, and even the viewers.
26 Mar 2019
Ready or not, here comes 8K. Look for 8K sets to hit the market later this year, with TCL creating the first Roku model.
08 Jan 2019
Viewers will be able to trial and sign up for over 25 premium services on the Roku Channel, viewing content on a TV or mobile device.
02 Jan 2019
The leading set-top box maker has released its first hardware accessory, and it's a must for anyone who's struggled to understand dialogue in a TV show.
10 Dec 2018