The Roku Channel just added a bunch of free stuff I won’t watch — here’s why it works

The Roku Channel simply added a bunch of gratis stuff I won't scout — hither's why it works

(Image credit: Roku)

The Roku Channel isn't only a hub of gratuitous ad-supported on-demand movies and shows — it as well has free alive TV-like content, much similar Pluto TV. Looking at the listing of 17 channels, though, you might scratch your caput nigh some of these titles.

The full listing of channels is beneath, and while some of them seem like they'll be valuable additions, the odd titles remind you that The Roku Channel and Pluto have made whole "channels" — linearly-ambulation content streams — defended to single properties.

Today'south list features both the 1990s swimsuit-clad drama Baywatch and the kids prove The Wiggles. About of these channels get in today (Tuesday, August 17), while The Wiggles aqueduct comes on Fri (August 19).

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While 1 could understand The Wiggles getting a channel — just plop Inferior in front of it for some autopilot parenting — Baywatch just seems weird. There must be an audience for all this kind of stuff, though. Roku doesn't become into things blindly, but what'due south next, the Knight Rider channel? Oh, well, Roku's also added a dedicated channel for the British reality show The Only Fashion Is Essex. And looking into that show, I tin clearly come across information technology'south something I won't be watching.

The coolest thing at manus is how Roku'southward giving a second life to cablevision TV network El Rey. Robert Rodriguez launched the aqueduct in 2013, and while it'due south aired some absurd films, it was mostly of importance for the criminally under-seen pro wrestling program Lucha Hugger-mugger. That said, Lucha Underground is long-since dead, and El Rey isn't planning to invest in original shows, co-ordinate to Borderline.

In that location'due south also the Tribeca Chanel for content from the Tribeca Film Festival, which will likely appeal to some cinephiles.

The Roku Channel is also calculation a lot of Castilian-linguistic communication content, such equally Estrella Games, a Spanish-language game testify channel, Mega Noticias and RCN Más.

The Roku Channel's new channels brand sense

Looking through the list, yous'll see there's Real Madrid Goggle box for fans of that football club, And then... Existent for reality TV, Haunt TV for chilling stuff, and the games and popular civilization site IGN is getting a channel too. And while IGN has a post-obit, a lot of this doesn't really ring as exciting — for me. That said, I'm merely one person with my own particularly odd sensibilities.

Information technology'south not difficult to run into that The Roku Channel is basically trying to be a true cablevision Tv set alternative. You lot know how some people cut the cord considering there's too many channels they're not interested in and don't want to pay for? The Roku Aqueduct can add together all the random stuff information technology wants, because you're non paying for information technology. This way, they can create a giant portfolio and hopefully find something for everyone.

Plus, The Roku Channel is bachelor to anyone who downloads a Roku app, not just those who buy Roku devices.

The only potential downside

The chance here is that Roku may kickoff to take too much stuff if it becomes hard for people to observe the programming that appeals to them.

Hopefully this won't be an upshot. Only if they've got tons of channels for stuff you lot're not interested in, that might create the equivalent of Hoarders, but for programming.

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Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple tree, reviewing devices and services for the by six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild earth of professional person wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other manufacture veterans.