Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #98

Hi, everyone !!

There have been some "landmark" moments in Roku UK history made during the last seven days... not least of which is that, for only the second time since Roku devices were first launched in the UK towards the end of January 2012, we have exceeded the thirty channel mark (in terms of new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store) for a given period of seven days - as featured in every one of my 'Weekly RoundUp' posts. Better yet... we even passed the forty channel mark on this occasion, so there's definitely REASON TO CELEBRATE this major achievement which (without the collective efforts of Roku channel developers worldwide) would not (previously) have been thought possible. I mean, if you think about it... that's the equivalent of adding to UK Roku devices in just one week (almost) the complete range of channels (number-wise) that have been made available to NowTV Box owners, during the last eighteen months !!


ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE... is that, this very morning I awoke to discover that my "Roku Resolution" for 2015, to ensure that the 'Crackle' channel was completely removed from the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store, has already become a reality... yes folks, I kid you not, my Twitter campaign (along with the combined efforts of other blog readers and "followers" of mine) has come to fruition FAR EARLIER THAN EXPECTED... with the GOOD NEWS that the "thorn in the side" of UK Roku devices has finally (having stopped their UK service as long ago as 1st April 2014) come to fruition, and I'm overjoyed to report that CRACKLE IS NOT ON IN THE UK ANY LONGER... which in turn means, from this point on, the following image applies "FOR REAL":-

More importantly, YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO LOOK AT THESE MESSAGES AGAIN because there is, at long last, no 'Crackle' channel on Roku for UK users... the only "content" of which, for the last 8-9 months has been just that! Lest we forget...

... was the first thing that greeted us, upon launching the 'Crackle' channel via UK Roku devices (at any point) during that time, not forgetting (on pressing the "OK" button) we were then "treated" to...

... and that was it because, when you hit "Quit", it promptly exited the 'Crackle' channel and returned to the 'Home Screen' of your Roku device. Well, thankfully, THAT IS IT... CRACKLE HAS QUIT THE UK... FOR GOOD !! Something, I'm sure, you're all very grateful of !! That said... those of you who may (from time to time) miss my (previous) daily tweets of the above images, or who come to mourn the absence of those messages on your television screens, can always "bookmark" this post where they will remain for you to visit (and spend some time in quiet contemplation) lending your thoughts to this "ghost" of Roku UK devices which has, thankfully, now been laid to rest. AMEN!


FURTHER CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION... comes from the fact that there is still time for you to add the new(ish) channel for fans of wrestling on UK Roku devices, namely the 'WWE Network' channel, whose arrival was heralded in my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #97" post from just last week. "So, what's so great about that?!", I hear you ask... well, those who do so can ENJOY THE "ROYAL RUMBLE" this weekend FOR HALF-PRICE, compared to the price that Sky Box Office are asking for that one event, PLUS GET ONE MONTHS' ACCESS TO 'WWE NETWORK' on your UK Roku device(s) INCLUDED IN THE COST which (itself) is ONLY £9.99 "ALL-IN" !!

To DISCOVER MORE about the 'WWE Network' channel for Roku, you should make a point of visiting their "Official" website, FOUND HERE, which also includes details, VIA THIS LINK, of all the other devices on which you can watch the 'WWE Network' whenever your Roku is not to hand. If you have any further questions about the 'WWE Network' channel for Roku devices, then feel free to send a tweet to their "Official" Twitter Feed: @AskWWENetwork for support and answers. If you're a fan of WWE... and I know, from last year, there were a lot of you asking when the 'WWE Network' channel would be added to UK Roku devices... THE TIME IS NOW for you to add the channel and show your support to say "thank you" to the 'WWE Network' for delivering their channel on time and as promised, so that UK fans of WWE can enjoy the "Royal Rumble" and all other BIG EVENTS in the WWE calendar for 2015 (and beyond!) on their favourite streaming media players !!

Meanwhile... another topic (briefly) touched-upon in my previous 'Weekly RoundUp' post was that of the recent Roku Software Update to "Version 6.1" and, if you recall, I had yet to confirm the "Build" numbers for the 'Roku LT' and 'Roku Stick (HDMI Version)' at the time of publication. Fortunately, having reached out to readers of this blog and "followers" on Twitter, two more of you answered my call for help and have (since) provided me with the "missing" information. Thanks to them, we now know the 'Roku LT' was updated to 'Version 6.1 - Build 5518', as with 'Roku 2 XS', whereas the newer 'Roku Stick (HDMI Version)' was afforded a unique "Build" number, with the associated update to 'Version 6.1 - Build 5520', as was the case with 'Roku 3' models with 'Version 6.1 - Build 5517'.

As always... I believe in giving credit where credit is due when it comes to such matters, so the first "shout-out" must go to 'Karl Taylor' [Twitter Feed: @br_ranger] who kindly informed me (on Monday 19th January 2015) via the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels that his (then) newly purchased 'Roku Stick (HDMI Version)' had immediately received an update (on installation) which revealed the latest update for that particular model to be 'Version 6.1 - Build 5520' (as mentioned above). Luckily it wasn't long before I received another contribution to the cause, from 'Matt' [Twitter Feed: @majola72] the very next day, when I learned that 'Roku LT' models had been updated to 'Version 6.1 - Build 5518'. My most sincere gratitude goes out to Karl & Matt for their valuable contribution(s) in this matter - as with Cab, Dean & Graham last week your efforts are much appreciated & my task would've been far harder without your (collective) input - THANK YOU!

Anyhow... coupled with the extra input we've had, we now have the full picture as to what the current software should be for each of the available UK Roku models. Here is a breakdown of that info:-

ROKU 3...................................................................Version 6.1 - Build 5517

ROKU 2 XS.............................................................Version 6.1 - Build 5518

ROKU LT.................................................................Version 6.1 - Build 5518

ROKU 1....................................................................Version 6.1 - Build 5521

ROKU 2....................................................................Version 6.1 - Build 5521

ROKU STREAMING STICK......................................Version 6.1 - Build 5520

For the benefit of any UK Roku owners that may not know how to check their Software Version and 'Build Number', you simply need to look at the 'About' section in the 'System' sub-menu of your Roku 'Settings' menu to find the information for your player model. Meanwhile, any UK Roku owners yet to receive this latest software update can perform a 'System update' via the "Settings" menu on their streaming media players, selecting 'Check now' to "force" the latest version to be added.

PLEASE NOTE:- I spent a good deal of time taking photos / screenshots to document the update process and the resulting changes to the User Interface (UI) on UK Roku devices. However, with everything else going on, I have yet to publish a dedicated post on the subject. So, if you'll bear with me on this, I'll try and get one added in the next week or two... to give you all a better idea of how these changes will affect you. For now, there's no difference to the choice of streaming content (other than what's listed here today) so, until the additional information is posted, feel free to stream something on your Roku devices while I catch-up! Just be sure to come back and check out the fresh post, with all the extra detail, in the near future! Your patience in this matter is much appreciated! THANK YOU!

Had there not been this flurry of activity with A TRUCK-LOAD OF NEW CHANNELS that were added to Roku players (across various regions) this week, and other ROKU-RELATED NEWS / CHANNEL REMOVALS / SOFTWARE UPDATES, etc. as mentioned earlier, then I was hoping to continue with my "theme" from recent weeks of sharing with you a bunch more "private channels" (i.e. "secret channels", or "hidden channels", otherwise called "beta channels" by some) to boost your choice of Roku channels still further. If you are not familiar with the concept... unless you happen to know the access code (otherwise quoted as an "invitation code", by Roku), then you will not be able to add them to your Roku device(s) since these private channels (and their details) are not published via the "Official" Roku Channel Store, as found on your streaming media player(s). That said... anyone who read my recent 'Weekly RoundUp' posts, like "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #93" from a few weeks back, or the followup "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #94" a week later and/or the more recent, "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #95" or "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #96", or else the very latest one, "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #97", from last week - or who uses social media to "follow" the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels will (more than likely) already be aware of what to expect, since similar offerings (or, "gifts", as I referred to them) were made in each of those. Anyway... on account of my extra large workload, I (sadly) didn't find the time to squeeze-in any "private" channels for you as part of this post. That said... a few have been (previously) shared on Twitter during the past seven days so, if you'd like to discover some channels offering LIVE and ON-DEMAND content geared to UK viewers (including a couple of dedicated Hispanic-language channels, best suited to the Ecuadorian, Puerto Rican populous & the diaspora from Dominican Republic now living in the UK) I'd make a point of looking back over my recent tweets because (in one particular case) we're talking 600 live-streaming channels and/or 45,000 on-demand titles, with built-in tv guide plus dvr-like recording functionality! So, if you'd like to get some "film on TV" (sic) through your Roku device, you know where to look!

Anyway, before I proceed any further with this 'Weekly RoundUp'... a brief reminder that, whilst I had hoped I'd be able to catch-up on the missing Roku-related news from this blog in recent weeks, with all the extra work I've been burdened with of late it remains unlikely that I'll be fully caught-up anytime soon. Until I do find the time... my one saving grace is that (as mentioned previously) I have somehow managed to remain up-to-date with all the latest additions to the "New" category of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store and will endeavour to flesh-out what's missing ASAP! Admittedly, there are quite a few articles that I need to catch up on but, rather than post links for individual weeks, I'll simply refer you back to my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #78", which contains all of the pertinent information you might need when researching back over the items in question. Again, I'm sorry this has dragged-on (far) longer than anticipated, and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you, but (all being well) things will be back up to speed soon!

For now... all I can offer you is a brief summary of the latest additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store from the past seven days. As with my other recent posts, you can expect any additional Roku-related news from the past week, along with details of any changes to the channel selection found on NowTV Boxes, to be added at some point in the near future. As for "mending" all of the "broken" links from previous 'Weekly RoundUp' posts, I still can't put a time-scale on how long that is going to take but (like I said before) if you "copy" the existing link(s) and change the "http" prefix to "https", as well as removing the "forward slash" between 'channels' and '#!details', so that "channels#/!details" becomes "channels#!details" in each weblink, you should find that they will all work for you and redirect to the new-look version of each individual channel description. As with the last eleven 'Weekly RoundUp' posts, every link from this week (plus all future posts) will use the new format, so it's only those from 'Weekly RoundUp #1' up as far as 'Weekly RoundUp #86' which you'll have to amend... at least, until I can edit/repair the links for you !!

Still, with all the "missing" Roku-related news (and links) yet to follow, let's now press on with the current 'Weekly RoundUp' of NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This time there are FORTY-FOUR NEW CHANNELS which have been added during the preceding seven day period. These latest additions to the channel line-up provided FRESH CONTENT in each of the Film & TV, Games, News, Weather, Sport, Music, Internet TV, International, Food, Special Interest,  plus Religion & Spirituality genres (i.e. categories). Specifically... this means that no less than FIFTEEN EXTRA CHANNELS have been added to the "Special Interest" category, as well as TWELVE EXTRA CHANNELS in "Film & TV" plus SIX EXTRA CHANNELS in the "Religion & Spirituality" category, in addition to FOUR EXTRA CHANNELS in the "International" genre, and TWO EXTRA CHANNELS in both the "News, Weather, Sport" and "Internet TV" categories, not forgetting ONE EXTRA CHANNEL in each of the "Games", plus "Music" and "Food" genres make up the selection of new choices available via the channel store on Roku UK devices this week. 

In keeping with previous installments from the 'Weekly RoundUp' series, details of these new channels have been listed below, together with links to obtain further information {by clicking on the channel name(s) beneath the respective channel icon(s) as pictured} and to read a 'Roku Guide' review (where available) with an independent (slightly more expansive) assessment of each one:-

OUT OF FOCUS.TV..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

FULLSCREEN SELECTS......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

MOVIE TRAILERS by ZYPE................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

LOVE ISRAEL.ORG..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

MESSAGE OF CHANGE......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

ARTS & CRAFTS CHANNEL..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

THE GARDENING CHANNEL............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BARAK TELEVISION...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

THE CUBA CHANNEL.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

SPIES, P.I.'s & BOUNTY HUNTERS.............COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Spies, P.I.'s & Bounty Hunters' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

SHERLOCK HOLMES HEAVEN..................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Sherlock Holmes Heaven' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

ROBIN HOOD HEAVEN...............................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Robin Hood Heaven' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

MYSTERY MOVIE NIGHT...........................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Mystery Movie Night' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

WAR MOVIE CHANNEL...............................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'War Movie Channel' for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

DRAMATIC TELEVISION NIGHT...............COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Dramatic Television Night' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

DRAMATIC MOVIE NIGHT..........................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Dramatic Movie Night' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Evonne Mandella' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £0.69 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL ARCHIVES...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That, whilst the 'Universal Newsreel Archives' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does contain plenty of FREE-TO-VIEW content, by way of their collection of historically significant news stories (at least, from a US-perspective) ranging from as far back as the 1930's and (mostly) covering the next few decades up to (and including) the 1960's, it would be rather remiss of me not to point out the channel description does state that it "May require additional fees" in order to view certain content via the 'Universal Newsreel Archives' channel on Roku devices.

From my (admittedly) brief look at the channel, there doesn't appear to be any "Pay-Per-View" (PPV) content (or, indeed, any paid content) at this particular point in time so, if I were you, I'd take advantage of that fact to explore this archive (which includes footage from WWII plus the Kennedy assassination among the content on offer) while it remains free to do so. Having said that, it could (of course) remain free indefinitely and the "May require additional fees" in the channel description might be "just in case" they decide to include (additional) paid content in future?! Either way, "forewarned is forearmed", as the saying goes... and (as always) I'll endeavour to keep you updated of any changes.

CELEBRATION CHURCH...................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

ZOOMIN.TV BABES.............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BABES by FAWESOME.TV..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BHAVNA's KITCHEN............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

THE PLATOON OF POWER SQUADRON.........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

CALIFORNIA TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV.....................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

HAWAII TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV..............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

ITALY TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV.................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

FRANCE TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV.............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

FINLAND TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV...........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BULGARIA TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

SPAIN TRAVEL by TRIPSMART.TV.................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BASEBALL by FAWESOME.TV.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

BASKETBALL by FAWESOME.TV....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

DM PRANKS PRODUCTIONS...........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

MODEL PRANKSTERS TV..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

DAMITSGOOD808................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

WORD HOOK [Roku 3 ONLY].................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

CLAYTON SHEPHERD MINISTRIES.................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

THE RÉUNION CHANNEL..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

CHRISTIAN MOVIE CHANNEL.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

AFRO MOVIES TV...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE NOTE:- That, because the 'AfroMovies TV' channel does not yet(?) feature among the selection (currently) on offer via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store, the link (above) redirects you to the channel description published on the official website for channel developer Lightcast.

ALSO:- There is (currently) no 'Roku Guide' review available for the 'AfroMovies TV' channel (again) due to the fact that it does not yet(?) feature in the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store. Needless to say, should that situation change, I will (of course) add the "missing" link(s) to this post just as soon as those details have been made known to me.

ANTV - AFRICAN NETWORK TV....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

TRAUMA RECOVERY UNIVERSITY...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

MOVIE CLUB.........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

SILENT NIGHT.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

RANGARANG...............................................COST: £10.49 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

PLEASE BE AWARE:- That the 'Rangarang' channel for Roku devices, developed by 'Rangarang International' is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £10.49 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

PLEASE ALSO NOTE:- That, because the 'Rangarang' channel does not yet(?) feature among the selection (currently) on offer via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store, the link (above) redirects you to the official website for the 'Rangarang' channel, whose Persian news, music & lifestyle programming is streamed to UK Roku users from the company headquarters in Northern Virginia, USA.

IN ADDITION:- There is (currently) no 'Roku Guide' review available for the 'Rangarang' channel either (again) due to the fact that, as with the 'AfroMovies TV' and 'ANTV - African Network TV' channels (both of which are listed earlier in this post), it does not yet(?) feature as part of the selection in the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store. Needless to say, should that situation change, I will (of course) add the "missing" link(s) to this post as soon as those details have been made known to me.

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Anyhow, like it or not, that is your lot for this week and, whilst it doesn't quite match-up to the forty-eight channels which made it into the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store during the same time-frame, I always think it's better to have SOME NEW CHOICES than none at all, don't you ?!!

Meanwhile... hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the forty-four "public" channels outlined above, or else the "private" channels whose access codes were "gifted" to you via the companion Twitter Feed to this blog at various points throughout the last seven days. If you wish to know what they were then you'll need to look back over my tweets since there were far too many "public" channels to list, this time around, to warrant the inclusion of any "extras" of that sort. Even so, if you didn't find anything to add to your Roku channel selection from the various channels on offer this week, then you'll just have to pay us a visit another time when, with any luck, there will be something more to your liking. Afterall, there's no point installing every channel because like I say... when it comes to adding new channels to your Roku player, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS !!

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As mentioned earlier in this post, you can expect my usual summary of all the goings-on (or not) in the (severely restricted) Roku Channel Store that features on NowTV Boxes to follow in the near future. Meanwhile, whether you happen to own a Roku player, a NowTV Box, OR BOTH, as I do... be sure to check my previous posts (as mentioned above) for all the new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store in each of the twenty-five preceding weeks and then come back again in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp'. However, if you can't wait that long, remember you can always keep up with all the UK Roku action (as it happens) throughout the coming week, by following the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related (here in the UK) is posted on a daily basis (well, almost).

Until the next time, then...

That's all folks !!