Roku announced its plan to start streaming 30 “Roku Originals," starting May 20. According to TechCrunch, the list of shows will include both scripted and reality programming previously only available on Quibi. While the shows are still available to view on mobile through the Roku Channel app, for the most part, the company expects viewers to tune in from a Roku streaming device attached to their TV. It’s important to note that Roku originally acquired over 75 titles from Quibi when it purchased the mobile-based entertainment company earlier this year. Quibi announced it would be shutting down in October 2020. While Roku doesn’t have plans to incorporate any special features that Quibi used to market its content (like its signature “turnstile” feature that made shows look good in both landscape and portrait orientation), it will take advantage of the ad breaks already built into the content. “The launch of Roku Originals will bring incredible, premium entertainment that has breadth, depth, and diversity to the millions of streamers who regularly visit the Roku Channel and to many new viewers who may not even have a Roku device—and it’s all available for free,” Sweta Patel, vice president of engagement growth marketing at Roku, wrote in a press release. Instead of charging viewers to watch the shows, each 8- to 10-minute episode will contain at least one minute of advertisement, making for fewer commercials than a standard show. May 20 also will bring the launch of LOL! Network, a new network founded by Kevin Hart that will include a curated collection of bits and segments from some of comedy’s “boldest voices.” LOL! Network will join the new Roku Originals, as well as the platform’s already established lineup of over 190 streaming channels. All content in the Roku Channel is available to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada by accessing the app on your Roku streaming device or from a smartphone.
