If you have any Amazon Fire TV device, you can now watch The Roku Channel. The best part of all is that it’s completely free.
What’s The Roku Channel?
The Roku Channel launched in 2017 and is a free ad-supported service from Roku that broadcasts thousands of movies and TV shows.
You can stream Hollywood hits, children’s shows, true crime documentaries, and much more.
Not only that, but The Roku Channel gives you access to over a hundred live TV channels like Fubo Sports Network, Reuters, and USA Today.
While you can add in paid subscriptions to providers like Starz and Showtime when using a Roku device, this won’t be available on Fire TV. That said, there’s enough free content on The Roku Channel to keep you busy.
According to the Roku blog, the platform streams to 43 million US citizens as of the second quarter of 2020.
How to Watch The Roku Channel on Amazon Fire TV
The Roku Channel has of course always been available on Roku’s own devices, but now it’s coming to all Amazon Fire TV platforms. This includes the streaming devices and smart TVs.
You can find The Roku Channel easily. On your Fire TV device, simply search for it from the top navigation bar. You can also download the app from Amazon’s website.
Alternatively, use the power of Alexa. Say “Alexa, find The Roku Channel app” to get the app in the first place, then “Alexa, open The Roku Channel” once it’s downloaded.
Speaking to Variety, Sandeep Gupta, VP of Amazon Fire TV, said:
We are excited that the Roku Channel is now available for all our millions of Amazon Fire TV customers in the U.S. We’ve always strived to have a broad selection of content on Fire TV, and believe this is a great addition that all our customers will enjoy.
What’s Next for The Roku Channel?
Considering Roku has its own streaming devices, you might think it odd that it would place its app on a competitor’s service—especially since Amazon Prime Video is available on Roku.
However, Roku want to get as many people in its ecosystem as possible. It makes nearly all of its revenue from ad sales and subscriptions. People watching The Roku Channel via Amazon Fire TV devices is only going to be a good thing.
Roku is also working on an Android and iOS app that will be available later this year.
Of course, the company isn’t neglecting its own platform. It recently secured NBCUniversal’s Peacock on Roku.
