Adverts was enjoyable, particularly artistic ones just like the commercials that performed on the rivalry between Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
Nevertheless, over time, it appears as if advertisements have misplaced such a originality and humor. That’s a part of why folks desire subscribing to streaming platforms that supply premium content material with out advertisements.
The issue is that the premium expertise on numerous streaming platforms has gotten much more costly over the previous few years. Now, quite a few viewers suppose advertisements aren’t so dangerous, when lots of of channels are free.
The truth is, roughly 69% of households used one Free Advert-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) service by late 2025, suggesting that just about seven out of 10 streaming houses now have a minimum of one free app of their rotation, in accordance with current Circana information reported by Ctam.
The identical report signifies that the highest 4 FAST companies through the second half of 2025 had been Roku, Tubi, Pluto, and Prime Video. Furthermore, in December 2025, The Roku Channel achieved an all-time excessive of three% of all U.S. TV viewing time, in accordance with Nielsen.
To place that in perspective, that’s greater than Paramount+ and near main paid streamer Amazon Prime Video (4.3%).
Roku’s success will be attributed to its fixed upgrades, and simply this month, it made one other.
Roku provides 17 new free reside channels to Roku TVs & Roku gamers.
gguy/Shutterstock
Roku provides 17 new free reside channels to Roku TVs & Roku gamers
Established in October 2002, Roku began by making units that performed digital music and movies. It turned a family identify by giving older TVs a method to connect with apps similar to Netflix.
Nevertheless, the corporate’s focus has shifted. Whereas it nonetheless makes {hardware}, the bodily machine is now principally a software to get folks onto the Roku software program.
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To make this work, Roku splits its enterprise into two areas. It usually sells its streaming sticks and packing containers at very low costs — generally for lower than it prices to make them. This technique goals to get a Roku machine into as many dwelling rooms as potential, so the corporate can generate profits later by way of advertisements and subscriptions on the platform itself.
This month, Roku expanded its free streaming library with 17 new reside channels, reported Wire Cutters Information.
The up to date choice consists of CNN Xpress, which presents steady information protection, alongside regional programming like Canada TV. The rollout additionally provides area of interest channels centered on wellness, Spanish-language comedy, and motion movies.
These choices are situated throughout the “Live TV” zone of the Roku interface. They’re accessible to any consumer with a Roku machine, with no month-to-month subscription or cable supplier authentication required.
Earlier this month, Roku first added 9 new channels, after which extra not too long ago, it expanded the providing with further eight new reside channels.
A complete of 17 new reside channels on Roku:
- CTV Information
- Filmed Comedia
- SobreVivi
- Filmex Accion
- CNN Xpress
- “The Bernie Mac Show”
- “Felicity”
- “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
- “Pokemon”
- “Blossom”
- “Cougar Town”
- MeatEaters
- FuelTV
- Telemundo Puerto Rico
- Vas No Vas USA
- Willow Sports activities
- Multi Camaras
This marks a notable growth of Roku’s free providing by way of The Roku Channel on Roku gamers and Roku TVs.
“This addition enhances the platform’s already extensive library of free content, providing viewers with diverse programming options across genres such as classic sitcoms, animated series, sports, action films, comedy, news, and lifestyle content without requiring any subscription fees,” factors out Wire Cutter Information.
Roku’s newest upgrades and milestones
The transfer follows a December 2025 improve, when the streamer added 11 new channels together with:
- 144 BBC Information
- 198 Tennis+
- 315 “The Virginian”
- 370 “Home Improvement”
- 387 “My Wife and Kids”
- 497 PBS Family tree
- 617 “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
- 734 “Love After Lockup” WE TV
- 834 Additional time
- 1008 TV Amor
- 1018 Mi Raza
Supply: Wire Cutters Information
Extra not too long ago, in February 2026, Roku additionally introduced the plan to launch unique streaming bundles this 12 months.
“The company is rolling out new streaming bundles, expanding its $3 subscription service, Howdy, to more platforms, and partnering with more premium streaming services following the successful addition of HBO Max,” reported Tech Crunch.
The corporate not too long ago reported its full 12 months 2025 outcomes, revealing web income of $4.74 billion, up 15% 12 months over 12 months, in accordance with the corporate’s 4Q 2025 shareholder letter.
Platform income was $4.15 billion, up 18% 12 months over 12 months, and streaming hours reached 145.6 billion, exhibiting 15% development over 2024. As well as, gross revenue amounted to $2.07 billion, up by 15% from the prior 12 months.
Throughout the earnings name, CEO Anthony Wooden mentioned Roku is “on track to surpass 100 million streaming households this year,” reported MarketBeat. He additionally said that Roku is utilized in greater than half of U.S. broadband households, and that just about half of U.S. TV streaming occurs on the Roku platform.
Wooden added that he expects generative AI to scale back the price of content material over time, together with long-form content material, which he mentioned ought to yield greater engagement. “We monetize engagement.”
In a weblog submit sharing its 2026 predictions, Roku forecasted that AI-driven suggestions will considerably slash the 20 minutes customers averaged in 2025 to search out their subsequent watch.
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