Roku Expands Roku OS Content and Experience and Launches Roku TVs

Roku announced platform-wide updates for its operating system Roku OS, which is now the #1 selling smart TV OS in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with over 70 million active accounts in the US, approaching half of broadband households. On the hardware front, Roku also announced features and availability for its new Roku-branded TVs, the first TVs designed and made by the company, all offering Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and supporting connectivity to external soundbars and speakers.

Roku announced Roku OS 11, the company’s latest update to its original operating system purpose-built for streaming entertainment. The OS update of this Linux distribution will be rolled out with new features and bringing personalization and expanded content discovery to the forefront of the user’s experience. In line with Roku's focus on audio, Roku OS 11 also introduces new menu options for automated speech clarity, new sound modes, an updated mobile app and much more.

Roku announced its membership and participation in Sound Hub Denmark, the innovative growth hub designed to foster innovation within the field of audio, sound and acoustics. Joining other members located in Struer, including Bang & Olufsen, Harman and Dynaudio, Roku’s Denmark-based audio and acoustics teams will provide coaching and mentoring – and present on topics around home theater and audio at Sound Hub Denmark events.

TIDAL announced its launch on the Roku platform, including support for TIDAL HiFi tiers — which includes Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) recordings. Members of the music streaming service can enjoy a custom TIDAL interface while searching for videos, albums, playlists, and exclusive content to stream directly on their Roku devices. The service allows access to more than music streaming, with premiere access to high-profile original content including music videos, documentaries, concert live streams, and more.

TV streaming service pioneer Roku has announced its Roku OS 8.2, a software update for Roku TVs that enables new features for compatibility with upcoming Roku TV Wireless Speakers; and Roku OS 9, an upcoming new software release with a variety of enhancements to provide new easy ways to search and control the entertainment experience. Roku will soon enable the ability to use Google Assistant devices to control Roku streaming. In addition, premium music services Spotify and Pandora Premium support are also coming to Roku devices.

At CES 2018, Roku unveiled plans to make it easier for consumers to enjoy streaming entertainment around the whole home. Roku plans to make it especially easy for Roku TV users to add great audio to their TV experience, including voice control. The new whole home entertainment licensing program will enable OEM brands to build soundbars and smart speakers, surround sound and multi-room audio systems that use Roku Connect software to work together as a home entertainment network.