Hi, everyone !!
Much like the seven days which preceded it... this has been another fairly quiet week in terms of Roku-related news, as those of you follow the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels to this blog will attest. As a result (once again) there isn't much to report other than the fact there has been yet another minor update to the recently released Roku OS 7.7 software. Having originally rolled-out with a build number of '4094', followed by a minor update to 'Build 4108' as reported last week, this latest update to Roku software 'Version 7.7.0 - Build 4116' should (hopefully) fix a few more bugs that were reported by Roku users (across pretty much all countries and/or regions) since the roll-out began. Here is a screenshot confirming the most recent change to the Roku software build in the UK:-
If you wish to check which Roku software version is currently running on your device(s) simply go to the 'Home Screen' on your Roku menu and then click through each of the following options from the on-screen menus which are displayed on your television, projector screen, or other display monitor:-
- Settings
- System
- System update
From the 'System update' screen, take a look at the 'Software Version' and 'Build' numbers in the lower right portion of the screen (below the highlighted 'Check now' option). Then, if your Roku device is running anything other than the current software: 'Version 7.7.0 - Build 4116', you should press the "OK" button on your Roku remote to 'Check now' for an update to whatever version you are on. Should an update to your current software version and/or build be available, you will then see a message window (similar to the one in the image above) and you must then select 'Continue' before pressing the "OK" button again to initiate the update.
PLEASE NOTE:- That if your Roku devices are on an older software version and/or build number than the one shown here, and you don't get a message saying "Update available", this just means it is not yet your "turn" to receive the update. That being the case, there is nothing you can do to "force" the update through... you must simply wait until it is either applied automatically, or you choose to attempt a manual update at a later date that just happens to coincide with your "turn" to receive it.
In other Roku-specific news this week... it came to light, via a post on the Roku Developer Blog in mid-week, that there is to be a period of scheduled maintenance on the Roku website in late August which could impact on some users during a set six hour period on 23rd August, as detailed below:-
HINT: Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!
As can be seen from the above screenshot image, the planned temporary service outage is due to take place on Wednesday 23rd August 2017 from 5:00am to 11:00am Pacific Time... which, for those of us in the UK, will mean possible disruption between 1pm and 7pm BST while Roku undertake the migration of their website to new and more scalable servers. Here is what Roku had to say about the matter, by way of an explanation to both customers and business partners, concerning the outage:-
"While consumers can stream their favourite channels during this time, other services such as activating new Roku devices, accessing the Roku Channel Store, and making select streaming purchases through Roku Billing will not be available during the maintenance window. We appreciate your patience and support as we make these improvements to scale the Roku platform."
Reading between the lines, it's unlikely to be too dramatic for most Roku users. Essentially, unless you wanted to activate a new Roku device, access the channel store, or make a purchase that would require 'Roku Billing' to be completed, during those hours... you probably wouldn't even be aware of any "service outage" going on. Since for most of us our main concern is being able to stream content from our favourite Roku channels - which (apparently) will not be an issue - there is little to concern the majority of Roku users. However, I thought it best to give you a heads-up... just in case! ;-) :-)
Meanwhile, getting back to the present day... a quick reminder that, if anyone is looking to purchase a new Roku streaming device in the UK, the LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL OFFER by 'Tesco Direct' for you to GET £5.00 OFF THE LISTED PRICE, simply by USING eCOUPON CODE: TDX-MVPW when checking-out EXPIRES SUN 30th JULY! So, if you wish to take advantage of the offer, full details are in my previous 'Weekly RoundUp' post from last week that will enable you to purchase the Roku Streaming Stick (Model: 3500EU) for only £34.00, or else; the Roku 2 (Model: 4205EU) for just £64.00, and, for those who demand the very best; the Roku 3 (Model: 4200EU) for £74.00 - making 'Tesco Direct' among the cheapest places to buy any new player from the Roku UK product range... at least, for the next 24 hours - SO ACT NOW, BECAUSE TIME IS RUNNING-OUT! ;-) :-)
With little else, aside from software updates, interruptions for scheduled website maintenance and some soon-to-expire special offers, to bring you... in terms of newsworthy Roku items from the last seven days, I'd best now turn my attention to more important matters, such as bringing you details for all of the latest new Roku channels (apps) which have been made available during this past week! :-)
Speaking of which, while it's far from another epic list of fifty-plus channels as with four weeks ago, you'll find two more options for "Sports" fans, and a few more free music / dance-related channels, as well as an additional "Comedy" channel, plus a channel for the LGBT community and a couple more "Educational" channels to keep you entertained over the coming weeks and months. In fact, while it's only a comparatively short list, there should be something to please most streamers here. If not, then I did share details for some more private channels (via social media) this week that may be of interest. Take a look at the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels if you'd like to know more about those and, while you're there, maybe "Like" and/or "Retweet" some of my messages to spread the word! ;-)
Anyway, back to the list... which, as always, will help you to identify the very latest apps which have been added to Roku devices in the UK. Other websites offering Roku channel listings will base their contents on the Roku USA Channel Store, which means they also include apps that are unavailable to UK Roku users. Like I've said before... if you really want to know what's available channel-wise, for owners of Roku devices in the UK, then be sure to read this blog each and every week! ;-) :-)
Before I run through the new channels, however, a reminder that UK Roku users are still subject to restrictions (imposed by Roku) and (bizarrely) remain unable to access the channel descriptions from the web store on the Roku (USA) website. That said, the majority of text in those web listings can also be found within the individual descriptions from the built-in "Channel Store" (accessed via "Streaming Channels" from the main menu) on all Roku devices and, together with the associated screenshots (where available), should give a pretty good indication of what those channels are about.
My advice to any UK-based readers of this blog is to ignore the links below (and to the left of) each channel icon shown here and (instead) rely on the link to the right (below each channel icon) which (where available) will redirect you to an 'Roku Guide' review for additional details on that channel. As it stands, the links below (and to the left of) each icon are (currently) only of use to readers of this blog from the USA. This means that Roku users from the other "supported" regions of the world (i.e. Ireland, Canada, France and Mexico) are, like those of us in the UK, unable to browse the Roku Web Channel Store - which for now (at least) remains an exclusive privilege of Roku users in the USA. :-(
Hopefully Roku will (one day) wake-up to the fact that improving the experience for users in "other" Roku "regions" is just as important as it is for those who buy & use their products in the U.S. and that denying access to the Roku website does not help the end-user experience for those of us (outside the USA) who wish to browse the web channel store. Meanwhile, that which Roku (apparently) doesn't want UK Roku users to see on their website (i.e. the list of new channels) is regularly summarised on this blog in my 'Weekly RoundUp' posts. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all the new Roku channels released between 23rd July 2017 and 29th July 2017:-
MUSICA LATINA....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ECC NETWORK......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE MIAA NETWORK..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
REVERB CHURCH.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JASH..............................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, while the 'JASH' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does contain content which (currently) appears to be entirely FREE-TO-VIEW with no further costs being attached to it, the description from the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store states, quite clearly, that this channel "May require additional fees" in order to access certain content contained therein. From reading the 'Roku Guide' review (see link above) it would seem that their independent appraisal has come to the same conclusion I did... because, under the 'Fees' heading, it says: "None" but there is no mention of additional fees (as per the channel store description) which, in my opinion, could yet be a possibility once future content is added. There is an outside chance that the developer mistakenly put this channel forward as one that "May require additional fees" when, in reality, it does not... however, my advice to any Roku users who choose to install this channel is to keep an eye out for an on-screen message whenever you click to play something via the 'JASH' channel - just in case the content you have chosen requires a payment. If in doubt, you can always visit the official website for 'JASH' that may contain answers to any questions you might have. Or, if you prefer, you can also connect with the 'JASH' channel through social media... either via the official Twitter Feed: @jash or else, through their FB Page:- Jash Network (Facebook) where I'm sure they will be pleased to hear from you! ;-) :-)
TV DANCE LIVE....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ALL WORLDWIDE ORGANIZED CRIME..........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
REAL LIFE LORE - SCIENCE...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
MVTV LIVE.............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
LGBT STUDIOS......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JOSHUA DTV - BE NICE 2 PEOPLE....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***