Roku announced its new Roku TV reference design platform and software stack at CES 2014.
For more information visit: www.roku.com
Unedited press release follows:
Roku Introduces Roku TV
Opens Access to Leading Streaming Experience, Removes Hurdles and Reduces Costs for OEMs; TCL and Hisense to Ship First TVs this Fall
LAS VEGAS — CES 2014 – Roku® Inc. today announced Roku TV™, a new generation of Smart TVs designed to give consumers a simple entertainment experience in a complex connected world. The company plans to license the new reference design platform and software stack to manufacturers to build and distribute Roku TV models. TCL and Hisense are the first partners and Roku will show their Roku TV models tonight at Pepcom’s Digital Experience media event.
TCL is the third largest global TV manufacturer in the world and shipped nearly 12 million TVs in 2012, accounting for five percent of the worldwide TV market. Hisense is the fifth largest global TV manufacturer in the world and shipped more than nine million TVs in 2012, accounting for nearly four percent of the worldwide TV market. TCL and Hisense are aggressively expanding their presence in the U.S. market and are expected to gain market share quickly. Each will show Roku TV models during CES in their Central Hall booths – TCL # 9825 and Hisense # 7243.
“Consumers will enjoy the ease and satisfaction of Roku TV while manufacturers leverage our design specifications, content relationships and software expertise. At the same time the content community will gain additional distribution and revenues through an already popular and trusted streaming platform – now in the TV,” said Roku Chief Executive Officer Anthony Wood. “I’m very excited about our partnerships with TV manufacturers and the first Roku TV models planned for release this fall from TCL and Hisense.”
Simple Entertainment Experience for Consumers
Roku TV simplifies the notion of a so-called Smart TV by removing all of the complicated layers and menus, and unnecessary features and settings that plague TVs today. Instead, Roku TV gives consumers a Roku home screen that unifies all content sources in one place making it easy to watch live programming, stream a movie or listen to a song in just seconds. The TV and the remote control feature only the necessary settings and buttons. For example, the Roku TV remote control has 20 buttons – half the number found on traditional TV remotes. Roku TVs can be controlled by either the TV remote or mobile devices using the Roku app for Apple iOS or Android. Roku TV supports modern casting standards including DIAL, which streams content from a mobile device to the TV.
Maintenance-Free, Low-Cost Smart TV Platform for Manufacturers
TV manufacturers will receive the Roku TV reference platform complete with TV and remote control design as well as software and support to build and maintain the best TV experience. Just like Roku streaming players, Roku TVs will have full access to the Roku Channel Store filled with more than 1,200 channels that offer 31,000 movies and feature TV shows and live sports plus news, music, kids, food, science, tech, fitness, foreign language and other programming – more options than all the other Smart TVs on the market. Roku will manage the entire software ecosystem for all Roku TVs which includes securing and updating all of the streaming channels available and providing frequent software updates to deliver new features and experience enhancements.
Availability and Pricing
Roku TV models are expected to be available for purchase this fall from major retailers in the U.S. and Canada. They will be available in a variety of sizes ranging from 32 to 55 inches. Pricing will be determined by the manufacturers and should be released later this year. Manufacturers interested in partnering with Roku can send email to rokutv@roku.com.
About Roku, Inc.
Roku is the creator of the most popular streaming software platform for delivering video, music and casual games to the TV. The Roku platform features the largest and best collection of entertainment available for streaming and is accessible on Roku streaming players, Roku Ready® devices via the Roku Streaming Stick™, and later this year on Roku TVs. Roku products vary by region and are sold in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. Roku was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the DVR. Roku is privately held and headquartered in Saratoga, Calif., U.S. For more information, visit www.roku.com.