Roku Bows Streaming Players in France and Down Under

20 Oct, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

---

Roku Oct. 20 announced it is launching its line of streaming media devices (Roku 2, 3 and stick) in France. Roku introduced over-the-top video streaming in 2008 with a branded Netflix player.

Since that time, the Saratoga, Calif.-based tech company has rolled out upgraded devices featuring more than 1,500 third-party streaming channels, including Netflix, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube and Daily Motion.

“Roku streaming players give consumers choice and control over what they watch on TV,” Clive Hudson, VP of Europe at Roku, said in a statement.

Devices in France include access to France 24 and soon LA VOD videofutur, Deezer, ARTE and others.

Roku’s launch ushers in an open platform addressing the OTT market in France, said Mathias Hautefort, CEO at videofutur.

“Our aim is to make our service LA VOD videofutur available to all French consumers. In order to achieve that we have to be available on major streaming platforms,” Hautefort said.

The launch of device distribution internationally coincides with Roku’s concurrent strategy delivering branded streaming devices to third-party pay-TV services — notably Charter Communication’s Spectrum TV, Sky’s Now TV and Telstra TV in Australia.

Telstra, a telecommunications provider, said Telstra TV service (which bows Oct. 27) is offered as part of the $109 (Canadian) device purchase and features access to 15 channels such as Netflix and Presto (which Telstra co-owns with 21st Century Fox), SBS on Demand, PLUS7 and 9JumpIn. Aussie streaming service Stan will be available in November.

Users can also rent movies (transactional VOD) from BigPond Movies. Telstra customers who purchase Telstra TV before Christmas receive a $15 BigPond voucher, three-month subscriptions to Presto and Stan.

“Whether you love to binge watch the latest television series, enjoy a family movie night, or catch up on free to air shows you missed during the week, Telstra TV is the simple way to stream your favorite television on demand,” Joe Pollard, chief marketing officer with Telstra, said in a statement.

 

Bookmark it: