Dear readers, there’s something I don’t understand. Be patient, and follow along.
If you have a Roku streaming player or Roku TV of recent manufacture, you can get the Apple TV+ app. That app, once exclusive to Apple’s streaming boxes, is now found on several different streaming devices. That makes sense, since Apple wants to get its programming in front of more people. They make more money that way.
Now, here’s something else you might or might not know. The Roku Channel, which was exclusive to Roku devices, is available on iOS devices. The Roku app isn’t just a remote for your device. It will also let you stream content from The Roku Channel. In case you’re not familiar with The Roku Channel, it’s Roku’s answer to free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST.) There is some live content, there is some on-demand content, and all of it has commercials. While most stuff on The Roku Channel can also be found on other apps, there’s some that isn’t. Roku has a small amount of its own content, like the excellent film Weird. There are also some old TV shows that you just can’t find elsewhere for whatever reason. But as I said, you don’t need a Roku to watch. You don’t even need to own a Roku. Just download the free app and make an account. Then you can watch on your phone and even cast to your streaming box or TV.
There is some hope. Roku announced recently that The Roku Channel will be available on Google TV and Android TV. So hey, why not Apple?
So why not close the loop?
Follow again. Roku went to all the trouble of making sure their content could play on iOS devices. Apple’s TvOS, which runs its streaming boxes, is closely related to iOS. So why isn’t there a Roku Channel app for the Apple TV? It would seem like a no-brainer.
Like other manufacturers, Roku doesn’t make a ton of money on its hardware. The real money comes from streaming subscriptions purchased through The Roku Channel, and on the commercials that run there. That’s no surprise. That’s how Amazon and Apple do it too. Amazon couldn’t possibly be making money on a streaming stick that does 4K and costs about $30. Apple probably does ok in the profit department considering how overpriced their hardware is. Still, the real bucks are in those ongoing subscriptions and commercials.
So why wouldn’t Roku port its channel to Apple TV since they’ve probably done all the work for iOS devices? Sure, I’d understand if the goal was to sell more Roku streaming boxes or Roku TVs. But I don’t think it is. I think that’s part of it, but the goal is to make money any way they can.
I could understand if this were back in 2016 when everyone had their proprietary app that only ran on their hardware. But we’ve moved past that. Or at least, Amazon and Apple have. Roku and Google haven’t.
Life’s little annoyances
I don’t miss Google content on my Apple TV, because it’s not really a video source. It’s a source for streaming apps. Apple has its own app store. But, I do find it to be one of life’s little annoyances when I have to go over to the Roku ecosystem for just one show. Roku’s take on a streaming OS is… fine. It’s just a little dated and not as polished or as quick as Apple’s. My Roku TV is beginning to age, too. It still gets all the apps but it’s getting pretty slow. The Apple TV box hooked up to it is still working great, though.
It’s my hope that the folks at Roku are just waiting for the right time to release The Roku Channel for Apple TV. Maybe it will be around the time they release their next Roku Original program. Not like it’s the most important thing in the world, but it would erase just one of life’s little annoyances. And when you can do that, it’s a win no matter what.
