Hi, everyone !!
In terms of Roku-specific news, it's been a very quiet week... however, I did manage to come across several items of Roku-related news which may interest readers of this blog. Firstly - given all of the problems Roku has experienced in relation to piracy which, in turn, led to a Mexican Court ruling against them that resulted in a subsequent ban over the sale & import of their products in Mexico - there was a not entirely unrelated article, published via the Forbes website, in which they report that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approached the CEO's of Amazon and eBay to ask that they "...step it up in removing sale listings for fake pay-TV boxes" as part of a wider move to stamp out a fast-growing form of video piracy in the shape of (mostly) Android-based devices which use otherwise legal software apps (e.g. Kodi) in conjunction with inexpensive "pirate" set-top boxes plus add-ons that let users access linear channels and on-demand content illegally. It remains to be seen as to whether either company will act on this request from the FCC but I'm sure this won't be the last time we hear mention of piracy concerns when it comes to streaming on any platform!
Meanwhile, in a separate report from the Forbes website, it was revealed that Chicago's "cloud tax" on streaming services has survived a legal challenge from The Liberty Justice Center who had filed a lawsuit challenging what is effectively a tax on using the internet. This legislation was introduced in Chicago as an additional tax on Netflix (plus other similar internet-based streaming services) which levied a 9% surcharge for the privilege of streaming internet-based entertainment, including video, music and gaming services. This seems like madness to me... after all, why would you make the cost of legally streaming media even more prohibitive - by implementing additional forms of taxation - when, surely, you should be taking steps to make it more affordable for everybody!?! Is it any wonder people are struggling to keep-up with the cost of living when this sort of thing is going on? Let's just hope that, for the sake of the people of Chicago and the streaming world at large, this "cloud tax" does not become more widespread & raise the cost of basic entertainment beyond the reach of many!
If you're a fan of football or "soccer", as it's (perhaps) better known across The Pond, then you won't need me to tell you that the World Cup 2018 is almost upon us. Of course, Roku users in the UK will have live coverage from Russia via multiple sources... but the streaming options for those in the U.S. are not always as plentiful when it comes to this particular sport. However, in a recent report from the WorldSoccerTalk website, it was revealed that 'FOX' have updated their 'FOX Sports' app to include games from the World Cup 2018 tournament. Unfortunately, while the update has added a lot of new functionality for sports fans, anyone wishing to use the app to watch the World Cup matches will also need to have a cable or satellite subscription. With the trend towards cord-cutting showing no signs of losing momentum in the United States, it's unlikely that those who have swapped satellite broadcasts for live streaming will have the necessary account activated for logging-in to the 'FOX Sports' app on their device(s) so, if you plan on streaming World Cup 2018 games on Roku in the USA, you will be pleased to hear that there are other options available to you. Unfortunately, it won't be free coverage (like we have in the United Kingdom) but you can get access to 'FOX Sports' on Roku devices in the United States with a subscription to either DIRECTV NOW, or Sling TV (in addition to several other streaming services). Once you have subscribed (and you may even be eligible for a free trial, if you are new to one of the services) you need only install the 'DIRECTV NOW' Roku Channel and/or the 'Sling TV' Roku Channel to your device and login to the relevant account to start streaming as much of the World Cup 2018 action as you can handle. Of course... those Roku channels are both US-only, so there's no point trying to install them if you are a UK Roku user. However, I intend to publish a guide to streaming the World Cup 2018 on Roku UK devices plus NowTV Box / NowTV Smart Box / NowTV Smart Stick sometime between now and the start of the tournament. So if you're going to be streaming the World Cup 2018 on either genuine Roku media players, or Roku-Powered devices, stay tuned to these pages for all the information you are likely to need for watching every game! ;-) :-)
Anyway, with no other Roku-related news to share this week, I'm now going to get straight into bringing you details of all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which have been released during the seven days since my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post was published! :-)
Firstly, though, I'd just like to mention (on a not entirely un-related note) that I have now added links to some (though, still not all) of the 'Roku Guide' reviews that were previously "missing" for many of the new Roku channels released in the last few weeks... so, if you'd like to see an independent appraisal of those, be sure to check-out my post from last week (see link above), which (itself) contains a link to the previous week's post (and so-on, and so-forth), for details of where to find them. Unfortunately, there are (yet again) more "missing" links to the 'Roku Guide' reviews for ninety-five percent of the channels published during the last seven days... which means, much like many other posts from recent months, I'm going to have to leave it for each of you to (once more) access those details on your own. As of four months ago, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s)... or else, by following the links provided in each post to the relevant channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store. Meanwhile, once the "missing" reviews have been published by 'Roku Guide', I will (as I have done previously) ensure that I add the relevant links to each post. Apologies (as always) for any inconvenience that may be caused by the absence of active links to an independent review for so many of these new apps but, like I say, it was entirely out of my hands. Hopefully they will get a chance to catch-up on them sometime in the coming week!?! ;-) :-)
Still, back to the list... which, as always, will help you to identify the very latest apps that 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. So, like I've said before... if you really want to know what's available channel-wise, for owners of Roku devices in the UK, you need to be reading this blog each and every week! ;-) :-)
With twice the number of active links to check out, not just for this week... but each and every post that has been previously published as part of my 'Weekly RoundUp' series over the last five years, there's a *lot* of reading to catch-up on. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all new Roku channels released between 27th May 2018 and 2nd June 2018:-
ALIEN MATH........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, because this 'Alien Math' channel was previously made available as a paid app (game) via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store as far back as 28th February 2014, you will not see it listed among the more recent additions to the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Instead, you will need to scroll through the "Games" category until you see the above channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for the app. That's if you wish to install it via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) as opposed to the online method (via the web channel store) using the link above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon). Of course, you could also choose to find and then add this app by way of the built-in 'Search' feature on your Roku device(s) by typing-in the channel name as your search term. Chances are, you won't have to finish entering the whole thing before you see the name of the channel listed among the results on the right-hand side of your screen - in fact, you may not even need to complete the first word... but, the main thing is, it's now available to install for FREE on your Roku device(s) if you so wish! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Since this latest incarnation of the 'Alien Math' channel is both FREE-TO-ADD as well as FREE-TO-PLAY on Roku devices, you will find that there is (currently) no active link to a relevant review for this free version of the game on the 'Roku Guide' website. However, because the only real difference between the original US-only (paid) version of this app and the current (free) one listed here is a simple matter of pricing, I've decided to include a link to the original 'Roku Guide' review of the paid version. Just remember to ignore any references to pricing information and simply rely on the details found in the official channel description above (see link below, and to the left of, the app icon) plus the original 'Roku Guide' review which, for the most part, remains equally valid in terms of an overview for the (current) free version of 'Alien Math' as it did for the (original) paid version of the game. Needless to say... if 'Roku Guide' does decide to publish a new review for the free version of this 'Alien Math' game channel, or update their original review of the paid app, then I will add the relevant links and amend this article accordingly. Meanwhile, why not enjoy the game for free!?! :-)
BENGALS DESKSITE..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, because this 'Bengals DeskSite' channel was previously made available via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store on 26th April 2018, you will not see it listed among the apps found in the "New" category of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Instead, you'll need to scroll through the "Sports" genre until you see the above channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for the app. That's if you wish to add it via the built-in channel store on your Roku device as opposed to online (via the web channel store) using the link above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon). Then again, you could also choose to find and then install this app by way of the built-in 'Search' feature on your Roku device(s) by typing-in the channel name as your search term. Chances are, you won't have to finish entering the whole thing before you see the name of the channel listed among the results on the right-hand side of your screen - in fact, you may not even need to complete the first word... but, the main thing is, it's available to install for FREE right now on Roku device(s) if you so wish! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Despite having been available via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store for more than one month already, like many of the sports-related Roku channels that have been published by 'DeskSite' in the last couple of months, the 'Bengals DeskSite' channel appears to have escaped the attention of the folks at 'Roku Guide' and consequently there is no review for this app, as you might otherwise have expected. Needless to say, should this situation change, I will add the relevant link for any such review of the 'Bengals DeskSite' channel to this post and update the article accordingly! ;-) :-)
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:- As a fan of several American sports myself, I'm really pleased to see more of these team-specific Roku channels (or, "apps", if you prefer) being added to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. While we (currently) have just three of these 'DeskSite' apps available to install on Roku devices in the United Kingdom, I would very much like to see more of them extended to UK users of these streaming devices. For the record, there are already thirty-two Roku channels that have been published by 'DeskSite' available to Roku users in the United States. This means there are another twenty-nine team-specific Roku channels which could also be extended to the UK, so that it's not just fans of the Colts, Bears, or Bengals who can keep up with the latest news specific to their sports team(s) by streaming video clips & highlights on Roku devices in the United Kingdom. Given how most major American sports franchises are now looking to expand their brands around the world to increase awareness of individual sports, as well as the teams participating in them, it would make sense for these team-specific sports channels to be made available in all countries and/or regions in which Roku devices are marketed. So, let's hope 'DeskSite' can (eventually) extend all of their Roku channels to Great Britain & Ireland, as well as France and other Roku territories around the world! :-)
POWERSLAM.................COST: FREE (7-day trial) + £4.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, because this 'Powerslam' channel was previously made available via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store on 22nd May 2018, you will not see it listed among the more recent additions to the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Instead, you will need to scroll down a lot further - past the current crop of new channels which make up the bulk of this post - until you spot the above channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for the app. That's if you wish to install it via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) as opposed to the online method (via the web channel store) using the link above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon). Of course, you could also choose to find and then add this app by way of the built-in 'Search' feature on your Roku device(s) by typing-in the channel name as your search term. Chances are, you won't have to finish entering the whole thing before you see the name of the channel listed among the results on the right-hand side of your screen - in fact, you may not even need to complete the first half of it... but, the main thing is, it's now available to install on your device(s) if you so wish! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Despite the fact that this 'Powerslam' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does allow you to browse the entire content library without a subscription, those who wish to stream any of the videos therein should note that ACCOUNT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED before you can actually watch any of the wrestling footage, interviews and/or documentaries available with this channel. The good news, for those who do choose to register, is that 'Powerslam' is commercial-free and includes content from several independent professional wrestling organisations around the world. New content is added as & when it becomes available and is aggregated across a number of different categories, including: Women's Wrestling; Tag Team; Strong Style; Roundtables; Shoot Interviews; Lucha Libre; Multi-Man Matches; High Flying; Inter-Gender Wrestling; Hardcore; Documentaries; Classic Pro Wrestling, and; All Ages - bringing brands from around the globe into your living room & letting you stream a world of pro wrestling in a single channel for one low price! Believe it or not, the cost of this convenience is a wallet-friendly £4.99 PER MONTH (i.e. USD $5.99 PER MONTH) and you'll find further details about what to expect from your subscription on their official website as well as via the official channel description of the 'Powerslam' app from the Roku Web Channel Store (see link above) among other sources. As a bonus, there are FREE MOBILE APPS AVAILABLE for both iOS (Apple) plus Android devices... and, if your Roku player is not close at hand, you can also choose to beam video from those devices to supported Chromecast and/or AirPlay-enabled products. Considering your 'Powerslam' subscription will provide unlimited access to over +1500 hours of Pro Wrestling shows, events and more PLUS exclusive events and shows not available elsewhere all with absolutely zero ads: at less than a fiver each month, this will be hard for any wrestling fan to pass-up, not forgetting there's also a FREE 7-DAY TRIAL with which to assess the channel for yourself! :-D
NICKO'S KITCHEN...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TWIISTED PANDORA............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE FETISH CHANNEL..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
MOOVIMEX PREMIUM........................COST: FREE + $2.99(MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'MOOVIMEX PREMIUM' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and offers an "ad-free" streaming experience, anyone interested in having access to this Spanish-language collection of feature length Mexican movies plus further (short form) videos should note that A SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE REQUIRED at a cost of USD $2.99 PER MONTH to enjoy all these cabrito westerns, narco cinema, sexy comedies [comedia], action movies [accion] plus bull-riding videos [jaripeo] free of commercials. That said, if you do happen to be fluent in Spanish, this represents an extremely affordable means of streaming Spanish-language content without those annoying advertisements which plague many of the free movie channels, regardless of language! :-)
THE PRANK CHANNEL.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
70's SUMMER DRIVE-IN CINEMA V2.......COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE SATISFYING CHANNEL.................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
DANKWHEELIE...................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
RAP STAR: THE SERIES.....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
BURLESON CofC...................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
STAF ONLINE........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
BONANZA TV.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
BATTLEZONE.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
KALAMAZOO STV...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
GRAND RAPIDS STV...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
BATTLE CREEK STV...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
MONSTER MOVIE APP.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
KRISTEN HANCHER............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
MYTHICAL LEGENDS PODCAST.......................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD CARTOONS...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
GUITARMAGEDDONZL1....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
EYE ON BANKRUPTCY........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PROPHETIC GRACE NETWORK (PGN)............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE UNTOLD STORIES OF RAPPERS.............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TV MD- HEALTH MEDICAL FITNESS...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
HONEYMOONERS...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SHERLOCK HOLMES.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CARIBBEAN RADIOS.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FIGHT TV...............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SIDEWALKS TV.....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE FANTASY NETWORK......COST: FREE (7-day trial) + $4.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although 'The Fantasy Network' is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does allow you to browse the entire content library with no registration necessary as well as to watch several videos that are FREE-TO-STREAM by anyone who installs the channel, those who wish to view the majority of independent cinema & TV productions available would do well to note that A SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE REQUIRED for full access to 'The Fantasy Network' service at a cost of either USD $4.99 PER MONTH, as outlined above, or else USD $40.99 PER YEAR after an initial 7-DAY FREE TRIAL period. Personally, I don't feel there's sufficient content to warrant a full one year subscription... although, the developer's channel description does state that their intention is to have "new content being produced and added every month" if that holds any sway with you!?! :-|
CLASSIC VINYL.............................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "THEMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TINY SCHOOL.........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
LAKE FORK GUY (LFG)......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
MOWER REPAIR....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CINE HUMOR DOMINICANO...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***