Roku to launch in the UK with BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer will be part of the Roku streaming service when its hardware touches down in the UK later this year.
Roku, one of the leading streaming device manufacturers in the US first revealed their plans to launch in the UK back in January, but had their plans met with disappointment when it was noted that they wouldn’t feature any region-specific, domestic streaming offerings as part of their package.
They’ve now addressed the concerns of potential buyers, by announcing that they’ve signed a deal that will see the Beeb’s iPlayer feature at launch on their boxes.
“Roku recognises the importance of region-specific programmes so today we are excited to announce the addition of BBC iPlayer to our platform,” said Clive Hudson, vice president and general manager for Europe at Roku.
“This is among the first of many significant content partnerships for Roku in Europe and we look forward to making additional announcements in the coming weeks.”
The first of many significant partnerships, eh? 4oD anyone? LoveFilm?
Two Roku streaming boxes are headed to the UK; the Roku 2 XS and the Roku LT.
The Roku 2 XS is the premium model, offering Full HD 1080p streaming, a motion-controlled Bluetooth remote that can be used with casual games like the pre-installed Angry Birds app, and a microSD slot for storing app downloads and video content. It can hook up to your internet connection over both Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, and will cost £99.99.
The Roku LT is the budget offering at £49.99, and only supports 720p resolutions and Wi-Fi connectivity. Both Roku boxes however can connect to TVs using RCA or HDMI connections, making them compatible with practically every gogglebox out there.
