Hi, everyone !!
Before I get into the Roku-related news stories from the past week, I'd just like to share with you the details for a SPECIAL OFFER that gets you 4-MONTHS OF 'DEEZER' MUSIC STREAMING for the price of a few tubes of 'Pringles' promotional packs which have been marked with a special code! :-D
You will need to look for the 200g tubes, which are marked with a blue ring (just below the cap) that includes the 'Deezer' logo plus details of the offer, and must purchase three tubes of 'Pringles' in order to claim your reward of 4-months free access to the 'Deezer Premium' music streaming service. For those who have an 'Iceland' or 'Tesco' store nearby, there is (currently) a deal on 200g 'Pringles' cans whereby you pay only £1.25 per can, instead of the regular £2.25 price for these products, meaning that you will pay just £3.75 (in total) to get the three codes needed to redeem the offer. With 'Deezer' usually charging £9.99 per month for their 'Deezer Premium' service, it would normally cost you just shy of forty quid for 4-months access... so you are SAVING OVER 90% OFF THE USUAL COST if you take advantage of this deal! :-O ;-) :-D For what it's worth, there is also quite a good deal at 'Lidl' right now - where you will pay just £1.29 per 'Pringles' can - so, if you don't happen to have a 'Tesco' or 'Iceland' nearby, you'll still be able to make similar savings if you're able to shop at a 'Lidl' store. It will mean paying £3.87 (in total) for the three 200g cans of 'Pringles' but that's still well worth it to get 4-months of premium music streaming! :-D Likewise, 'Sainsburys' (at a cost of £1.50 per can) and 'Morrisons' (at a cost of £2.00 per can) will result in savings of 85% or more versus the regular price for 'Deezer Premium' over a four-month period. Even with the worst case scenario - in which you pay full price (typically £2.25 each) for your 'Pringles' cans - from the likes of 'Waitrose', or 'Asda', there is still a saving of over eighty per cent to be had by getting 4-months of 'Deezer Premium' for £6.75 (in total) as opposed to the £39.96 that you would otherwise be expected to pay over this time period. So if you'd like to stream music wherever you go, and enjoy snacking on 'Pringles' while you're at it, I think this is a fantastic opportunity to experience what 'Deezer' has to offer... especially since there is already a Roku channel (app) for 'Deezer' that you can use to stream music on your television! ;-) :-D
DEEZER...........COST: FREE + £9.99 (MONTHLY) - WHEN OFFER ENDS [Roku Guide Review]
*** FILED UNDER "MUSIC" IN ROKU UK CHANNEL STORE WHEN FIRST RELEASED ***
In addition to the above links for the official description from the Roku Web Channel Store, plus the associated 'Roku Guide' review of the 'Deezer' app, you'll find more information specific to 'Deezer' on the Roku platform in this help article found on the official 'Deezer' website. Other useful details that can be had simply by paying a visit to the official 'Deezer' website online include specifics as to which other devices - including: PC/Mac, Mobile Phones & Smart Watches, Tablets, Sound Systems, TV's & Gaming Consoles, plus Car Audio equipment - can be used for streaming music when you are away from your Roku device. Perhaps the most useful options are their mobile apps for iOS (Apple) plus Android devices, although there is also one for Windows Phone if anyone still uses them. Should you wish to download the 'Deezer' app for any other platforms, there are options to install a desktop version for Windows or Mac computers (subject to minimum requirements being met for each) and even a web player for supported browsers (i.e. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge plus even Internet Explorer if anyone still relies on that) although, if you plan to use one of the other platforms listed previously (e.g. sound systems, smart speakers, TV's, smart watches, cars, or games consoles) you will require a 'Deezer' app specifically for that device. You can find apps for other devices, and how to download them on the devices page of the official 'Deezer' website. As there is still no sign of 'Spotify' returning to the Roku platform, the 'Deezer' channel will connect you to a world of unlimited music on Roku. With over 53 million tracks to choose between, straight from your device to your living room TV, audio streaming on Roku need never be an issue again! ;-) :-D
Anyway, once you have three codes (from promotional packs of 'Pringles' bearing the 'Deezer' logo) you can redeem the offer via the 'Pringles' website by entering the codes in the spaces provided. Just enter the 19-digit code(s) found on the bottom (i.e. the metal base) of promotional cans of 'Pringles' (1 code per pack) then either register your details with Pringles, or log-in to your Pringles account, so that you can be sent your free Deezer code via your registered email address.
PLEASE NOTE:- Even though this is a freebie, you will need to keep your bank card details handy for when you register at Deezer.com because, once the free 4-month promotional period has ended, your 'Deezer Premium' subscription will auto-renew at the usual price of £9.99 per month unless you have cancelled well in advance of that date. TOP TIP:- Personal experience has proven that it is best to cancel almost immediately after your free trial has begun, since you can still keep streaming music from 'Deezer' for the remainder of your trial period - without the risk of any payment being taken! ;-)
Moving away from music, to streaming entertainment of a different kind, the more observant among you might have noticed a subtle change to the 'NOW TV' app on your Roku devices (or NowTV Box) in the latter stages of the last week. Others may recall a recent announcement (around two weeks ago) from the Sky Corporate Media Centre revealing that streaming service 'NOW TV' were about to add a 'hayu Pass' to their range of contract-free, pick-and-mix passes. The press release said this new pass would launch ahead of the August 6th 'Season 15' premiere of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" so, when it showed-up in the Roku app for 'NowTV' on Thursday 2nd August, it proved they were true to their word - even if they did cut things a bit fine - but it's great for fans of reality tv! :-)
HINT:- Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!
Courtesy of this new partnership with all-reality streaming service hayu, for the very reasonable sum of just £3.99 PER MONTH, subscribers to the 'hayu Pass' from 'NOW TV' will get to enjoy over 200 reality shows... including the latest episodes – the majority of which debut on the same day as their U.S. launch – which should reduce the chance of any "spoilers" via social media and elsewhere. By subscribing, reality fans can access brand new hit series from the U.S. plus, as well as having access to 6,000+ episodes from over two hundred series of hayu’s top reality content, you will also be able to watch complete box sets and catch up on almost every series from the very beginning. That said, it should be noted that 'NOW TV' were still building their episode volume at the time their 'hayu Pass' was launched... meaning there won't be quite so much choice over the next few weeks. However, it is expected that the full episode count of 6,000+ episodes will be reached within the first month! ;-) :-)
For more information about this new 'hayu Pass' from 'NOW TV', I recommend taking a look at this dedicated help article from 'NowTV Support' which explains - in greater detail - what you can expect from your subscription and includes a useful 'FAQ' section covering the more common topics related to the purchase and use of their new 'hayu Pass' and may come in handy for would-be subscribers! ;-)
IMPORTANT NOTE:- The 'hayu Month Pass' isn't available on all of NowTV's supported devices just yet, so you’ll need to have one of the following to watch 'hayu' shows via the 'NOW TV' app:
Roku Players
- Roku Boxes
- Roku Streaming Sticks
NOW TV Devices
- Black NOW TV Box
- NOW TV Smart Box
- NOW TV Smart Stick
Smart TV's
- Samsung (2016 models and later)
- LG (2015 models and later)
Laptops and Computers
- PC (Windows 7 and above)
- Mac (OSX 10.9 - Mavericks - and above)
Smartphones and Tablets
- Apple iOS devices (with iOS 8 or later)
- Android devices (4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and above)
Games Consoles
- PS4
- Xbox One
Of course, as UK Roku users, we already have other means of accessing the 'hayu' streaming service so it might be that some of you have already subscribed via the 'hayu' website and are watching via their existing Roku channel. That being the case, this 'hayu Month Pass' from 'NOW TV' is probably not something worth bothering with since, if you registered on the 'hayu' website, you can continue to watch on all hayu supported devices while still being billed by hayu. Under these circumstances, you should contact 'hayu' directly if you have any issues.
On the other hand, if you buy a 'hayu Month Pass' on the 'NOW TV' website, you can only stream content from 'hayu' through the 'NOW TV' app on the devices listed above. In this case, you will be billed by 'NOW TV' (directly) and not by 'hayu' (themselves), so you should contact 'NowTV' if you have any problems or queries concerning the purchase and/or use of their 'hayu Month Pass'. While there's nothing to stop you having both types of account, remember they are completely separate! ;-)
So, to be absolutely clear on this, if you've got a subscription directly with 'hayu', that is completely separate from your 'NOW TV' account. You won't be able to use that and watch on your Roku player via the 'NOW TV' app, or on your NowTV device, but you will be able to use the 'hayu' Roku app. Likewise, if you bought your subscription for 'hayu' through 'NOW TV', that is completely separate from your 'hayu' account. Consequently, you won't be able to watch via the Roku channel for 'hayu' and will (instead) need to launch the 'NOW TV' app on your Roku player to access the 'hayu Pass'.
If/when you decide to take out a subscription to 'hayu' by way of a 'hayu Month Pass' from NowTV, there are a number of options available. The best of these (as is often the case) can only be had if you are a new 'NOW TV' customer (i.e. signing-up for the first time) and allows you to claim an offer that includes 3-MONTHS OF 'HAYU' FOR FREE as well as getting 1-MONTH OF ENTERTAINMENT plus 1-MONTH OF SKY CINEMA when you pay upfront for the bargain price of ONLY £5.00! :-O
AS BEFORE:- Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!
To take advantage of the offer, simply visit this page on the 'NOW TV' website and then click on the blue button marked "Get offer", as shown in the image above, to register for your 'NOW TV' account. Once you complete the registration process, and have provided your payment details, you will then be charged five pounds (with immediate effect) after which you will have access to all three passes that are included in the deal (as illustrated in the promo banner above) and can start streaming. If you'd prefer not to pay anything upfront, and just make-do with a 14-day free trial of the 'hayu Month Pass' from 'NOW TV' without the additional (reduced-price) 1-month passes for movies and entertainment, then you can (instead) click on the white button, marked "Or start hayu free trial" when you register.
If you choose the former option (whereby you get three 'NOW TV' passes for five pounds), the terms and conditions (T&C's) of the offer are such that it's only available to new 'NOW TV customers' who sign-up via nowtv.com online. Furthermore, anyone registering for 'NOW TV' accounts must be aged eighteen (or more) and resident in the United Kingdom. At the end of the pre-paid period, each month pass automatically renews at the regular price unless cancelled (via the NowTV website) beforehand (NowTV Entertainment Month Pass: £7.99 per month; Sky Cinema Month Pass: £9.99 per month, and; hayu Month Pass: £3.99 per month). You can cancel any time and still continue watching until the original auto-renewal date of each pass. THIS OFFER ENDS: 23rd August 2018 at 23:59 and is not available in conjunction with any other NOW TV promotion. PLEASE ALSO NOTE:- That a valid debit/credit card is required for all 'NOW TV' accounts and other NOW TV T&C's apply! ;-) :-)
Those of you who are existing customers of 'NOW TV' are also entitled to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL of the 'hayu Month Pass' and the easiest way you can commence that is via the 'NOW TV' website where you need only go to 'My Account', and then 'Passes & vouchers' (n.b. you will need to sign in, if you haven't already) after which you simply click on 'START 14 DAY FREE TRIAL' next to the 'hayu Month Pass' which can be found below the 'NowTV Sport' passes, as shown below:-
PLEASE REMEMBER:- That, if you’ve had a 'hayu Month Pass' before or you’ve already used your free trial, then your only option will be to select 'BUY MONTH PASS' and pay £3.99 to watch again.
While we're on the subject of 'NOWTV', I should probably also point-out that there are a couple more NowTV promotions available that may interest some of you. These are not freebies as such, but are valid for new and exisiting customers, entitling 'NOW TV' subscribers to HALF-PRICE PASSES for both the 'NowTV Entertainment Month Pass' - WITH VOUCHER CODE: AANOWDKGXRL6 and 'NowTV Sky Cinema Movies Month Pass' - WITH VOUCHER CODE: AANOWDZ4XB7I but anyone interested should be aware: BOTH THESE OFFERS END ON 28th September 2018! :-O ;-)
ONCE AGAIN:- Please CLICK on the above images TO ENLARGE THEM for easier viewing !!
If you'd rather not pay anything for your movie streaming entertainment and are happy to watch classic films for free, as opposed to more recent movies at a premium, then you might want to keep an eye on this (relatively) new 'YouTube' channel that I came across recently. Fans of vintage cinema, such as myself, will (currently) find a rather modest collection of only thirteen titles from Britain and elsewhere around the world... but the creators of this 'Retrospective' channel on 'YouTube' have stated they'll be adding a new full-length feature film to watch each week, on behalf of their distributors, so it could be worth checking-back regularly to see what comes next. They keep separate playlists of both their "Full Colour Feature Films" catalogue, and their "Black & White Feature Films" catalogue, as well as having their "Full Library of Feature-Length Classic Films" available for browsing... which is handy, because their main video archive includes many shorter clips / trailers which could prove to be a bit of a headache once they've added a lot more vintage classics to their 'YouTube' channel! ;-) :-)
With all of these streaming options to choose from, it's no wonder that a recent report by 'Conviva', details of which were published via the 'Advanced Television' website, has revealed findings which show that GLOBAL STREAMING IS UP BY 115% YEAR-ON-YEAR as of the 2nd Quarter 2018 with their continuous measurement, all-screen census also confirming that content consumption more than doubled over the course of the last twelve months. The overall statistics, which showed growth across all Key Performance Indicators (KPI's), proved that there is still a very healthy appetite among consumers for streaming TV, as the upward trend in favour of streaming continues year-on-year. The data showed a continued shift away from PC's and towards mobile / tablet devices, especially for short-form content. Meanwhile the viewing of long-form content has swung decidedly towards larger screens and connected TV platforms – especially those which connect to TV's externally, like Roku!
Another indication of the growth in streaming TV is the impressive increase 'Conviva' saw in peak concurrent plays, especially when close to eight million people tuned-in during the FIFA World Cup, which amounted to 118% growth in peak concurrency from the same time period last year. Looking at apps (e.g. Roku channels) versus browsers, the former clearly dominate with faster growth and a larger share of both total plays and viewing hours. This supports the theory that app-based streaming offers a better user experience when compared to browsers... but we all knew that, right!?!! ;-) :-D
One of the most interesting aspects of streaming TV in 2018 is the diversity of devices viewers can use to stream video. 'Conviva' classifies devices into three groups: mobile (smartphone & tablet), desktop computers (PCs), and TVs (internet-connected TV devices that allow streaming). Among connected TV platforms, Roku continues to emerge as the leader with nearly 8 per cent of all plays. In fact, Roku accounted for a staggering 22 per cent of viewing hours in the second quarter of 2018 which was the highest of all connected TV devices. What's also clear is that of the connected TV platforms, Samsung and other Smart TV manufacturers are losing ground to Roku, Chromecast, Sony PlayStation, and Amazon Fire TV - proving external "smart" devices are still the way to go! ;-) :-)
Anyway, with no other Roku-related news to share with you at this time, I'm now going to focus on the equally important matter of bringing you details for all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which were released during the seven days since my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post was published and, with a bumper crop of more than thirty new Roku channels to browse through, that should be enough to keep you occupied while I see what other odd snippets of Roku news I can find for you next week! ;-)
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 more "missing" links to 'Roku Guide' reviews for over ninety per cent of the new Roku apps which were published during the last seven days... which means, much like many other posts from recent months, I am going to have to leave it for each of you to access those details on your own. As of five 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's 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 29th July 2018 and 4th August 2018:-
HOLY PLACES 4K.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
GATE CAST...........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ANAND LIVE TV..................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH VA......................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CLIPTLY....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PASARELA TV.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PETTICOAT JUNCTION.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SING TV...............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FAMILYTV...............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
FIT TV..................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FITNESS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ZEE MUNDO PLAY..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
iGOL.............................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FANATIZ.....................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TYSON PLUS.................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TERCEIRO ANJO...................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
GEORGE W BUSH SPEECHES...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
THE BOB NEWHART SHOW..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
WORLD FAMOUS RIVERS..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "TRAVEL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FUNNY ANIMATIONS............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
HARBORS AND PORTS...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
KENYA WILDLIFE................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "TRAVEL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLAY NOGGIN.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCI & TECH" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
YUMMY COOKING TV....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CIAA SPORTS NETWORK..................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
LEARN THE VIOLIN......................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CLASSIC DOCUMENTARY TV..........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JUST CLASSIC TV...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
NATURAL DISASTERS...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
ONLY ANIMATION TV...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
BEST ACTION MOVIES......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TED TALKS CHANNEL.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
BARACK OBAMA SPEECHES...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
DIVERSION TELEVISION...................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
STRESS RELIEF TIPS..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
GREAT LAKES MEDIA........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
WILD LIFE OF INDIA...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "TRAVEL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***