Stream Your Content on Roku TV easily with VPlayed

Discover More about OTT TV App

We mean it when we say “the future of TV is apps”! With the inception of faster Internet speeds and smarter streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, the need for content creators to launch branded TV apps is increasing like never before.

Being one of the best leading OTT solution, here’s what we at VPlayed have come up with to make your content reach millions. 

VPlayed Now Lets You Build Your Own Roku App

Yes, you heard that right! VPlayed is now all set to help you build your own Roku channel (app) and you don’t have to know a single line of code. With a robust solution to launch your content on Roku, there is nothing that can stop you from getting your content up and running on the most successful streaming device on the planet. 

What is Roku?

Roku is an OTT streaming device that provides a platform for various content providers and advertisers to reach a wide set of audiences. Released in 2008, it has emerged to be the most widely-used streaming hardware across the globe with over 51.2 million active subscribers in the US alone. In short, Roku is the ultimate destination for VOD platform provider to grow in the business. Get to know more about what is VOD!

Roku Device and Software-Explained

Roku has introduced a wide range of streaming players into the market. But, broadly speaking, one set of models comes with an OTT box that needs to be connected to the user’s TV via an HDMI cable, and the other one is the streaming stick, a pen drive-like device, that can be directly plugged into the TV’s HDMI port. 

On the other hand, Roku OS is software exclusively developed for its devices to stream content. The company keeps releasing new versions from time to time to enhance its devices for better viewing. 

How It Works?

Viewers who buy Roku devices plug in their players to their television sets, connect them to the Internet either through a wired or wireless network, create a Roku account, and start streaming content from over 21,000 apps available on the platform. Once your OTT app is up on Roku, viewers get to access your videos based on the billing model you choose. For instance, Netflix works on the subscription video on demand(SVOD) platform model! 

Viewers can find your app from the Roku channel store or use the ‘Search Channel’ option for the same. Furthermore, they also get to add your channel to their home screens for easy access.

Why Do More People Opt Roku for Streaming?

Several factors contribute to why audiences’ viewing habits and interest in streaming devices like Roku grew exponentially this past decade. 

• Simple hardware 
• Single platform with thousands of channels/ OTT apps
• Ease of use 
• Value for money

Why Should You Start Your Own Roku Channel?

If you want to reign in the streaming business, it is important to look for smart options to reach the masses fastly and effectively by aligning with the latest OTT trends. And, without a doubt, Roku is the best bet for every content owner out there! 

It is a promising time for streaming services to launch their own Roku channels as nearly half of the American households that stream content use either one of the Roku devices. In fact, on average, 17 new apps are being launched every day on the Roku App Store. 

Though the United States contributes to the majority of the content publisher’s market share, Roku’s popularity is rapidly spanning to other countries across the globe as well. 

Grow Your Viewer Base with Roku

2020 was an impressive year for Roku as it rose to stardom with a whopping 58.7 billion hours of streaming by its users. This is indeed a great feat by the platform that is home to more than 51 million active accounts. 

So, your VOD app has the potential to reach millions of Roku users who can simply download it and start streaming your videos based on your billing model. This brilliant move of launching an app on the Roku App Store not only helps you achieve a massive viewership but also generates revenue that matches your business needs. 

Roku- The Best Way to Monetize Your Video Content

As a content owner, you have two options, to begin with. Provide the users with a

• Free App- Free to download but can provide in-app purchase options
• Paid App- Require a fee to download 

90% of Roku’s apps are free. This is an attractive model to adopt, however, you can effectively monetize your free app by delivering videos on demand through a billing method of your choice (Subscription-based VOD, Ad-supported VOD(AVOD), Transactional VOD). 

While market biggies like Netflix, and Hulu, have adopted the subscription-based model that charges a monthly/ annual fee to stream videos, ads are also a great way to generate handsome revenue through Roku! 

Check out our SVOD Vs AVOD analysis to identify the best way to monetize your video business!

Why Roku’s Direct Publisher Method to Create App Is Basic & Restrictive

Roku offers an instant solution for content owners to create an OTT app using its ‘Direct Publisher’  method. Though this is portrayed as the simplest way to launch a Roku app, there are limitations to it when you want to scale up in the best OTT platform industry.

Video Hosting Costs

Once you have your content ready, you have to look out for ways to host the videos. Using third-party servers (CDN) for online video hosting platforms consumes time and money. Learn the advantages of self-hosting your videos! 

Fewer Customizations

Similarly, customizations are minimum when it comes to launching a Roku channel using the Direct Publisher. It is a predefined framework and hence, the content owner may miss out on the advanced features that may otherwise benefit the business.

Restricted Monetization Options

Though content owners can monetize their apps through ads, a partial amount of ad inventory/ revenue is split with Roku. Also, since this is a very basic method to create a Roku app, you cannot introduce subscriptions, or pay-per-view revenue models for monetizing your content. 

VPlayed-the Best Solution to Launch Your Roku App

Building a Roku app through a streaming solution provider like VPlayed has several pros. Our end-to-end solution bundles highlighting features that include

• 100% customization
• Analytics dashboard
• Robust CMS (Content Management System)
• Monetization options

Besides having a rich content library, it is paramount for a content owner to have these pivotal factors in place to make it big in the streaming industry.  

Key Takeaway

With Roku’s growth skyrocketing each passing day, putting your content up on the device is the smartest way to sustain in today’s highly competitive market. Customize your own Roku channel/ app using VPlayed’s white-label OTT solution to exponentially expand your audience base across geographies along with generating amazing returns.