Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #285

Hi, everyone !!



While there were no Roku-specific news stories published during the last seven days, I did manage to find one significant Roku-related item which should interest those of you with a passion for theatre. It concerns 'The Stage Network' - also referred to simply as 'STAGE' in certain circles - which is a new streaming network devoted to the world of theatre. When the network launch was first announced via the 'STAGE' website, on 23rd April 2018, the original press release stated that they would be offering both a free and subscription-based platform, with the proposed launch of their "free platform" set for the summer of this year and, with this latest announcement from 'STAGE' published in mid-week, the network has proven they are true to their word. As of Tuesday 21st August 2018, the official website of 'STAGE' was updated to show that the network is "NOW IN PREVIEWS" as evidenced below:-

HINT:- Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!

Fortunately, these free previews appear to be available worldwide - and I can personally confirm their availability within the United Kingdom - but there does not yet appear to be a Roku channel through which to stream the available content, despite the suggestion on the official website that the service is "also available on" Roku players, as well as Apple TV, and iOS (iPhone) plus Android devices:-

AS BEFORE:- Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!

Further evidence, from elsewhere on their website, also points towards the fact that support for the Roku platform is on the way and that 'STAGE' subscribers will (at some point) be able to enjoy the videos offered by the service on Roku streaming media players as well as online via web browsers:-

ONCE AGAIN:- Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!

For the time being, however, theatre fans in the UK (and elsewhere) will need to rely on streaming these free previews via compatible web browsers (i.e. Chrome 37+ / Firefox 31+ / Safari 7+ / IE 10+) and/or the existing iOS plus Android mobile apps. Although, having said that, you might also be able to watch on the big screen by connecting to a 'Chromecast' device, or 'Apple TV' (2nd gen, or later), if you happen to (also) have either of those at your disposal.

HINT:- Please CLICK on the above images TO ENLARGE THEM for easier viewing !!

It has already been confirmed, via the original press release (see link above), that the "full platform" launch (expected in October 2018) will expand to 500 hours of programming for subscription-based users, while maintaining the free platform with limited content. However, it should also be noted that this full platform launch will (initially) be limited to subscribers in the United States, with expansion to international platforms not expected until 2019. Quite what this will mean for their proposed Roku channel release is unclear at this time. If it's sooner, rather than later, and the app is launched before October... let's hope 'STAGE' make their channel available to UK users of Roku devices - if only for access to the content from their "free platform" - because, if not, then we could have to wait till 2019 before we can enjoy access to either paid or free content from 'STAGE' on Roku players in UK! :-O


In the meantime, you may wish to take a sneak-peek at what is available from the 'STAGE' network by watching this short trailer about the new streaming service that's devoted to the world of theatre:-







If, for whatever reason, you are not able to watch the above (embedded) video from within this post, then you can also watch it online via the 'STAGE' website using your preferred web browser. While you're at it, you might also like to check out this related 'YouTube' video about the availability of this new theatre-focused streaming service for the "internet machine", as they call it!?!! Meanwhile, here is a small selection of the titles which are currently available for preview via their online web portal:

• The pilot episode of 'STAGE' original “Crossovers” a half-hour talk show, taped in front of a live studio audience, featuring an interview with actress Leslie Uggams in which host Taye Diggs discusses her stage, TV and film career in the first part of a 2-episode interview

• First episode of “The Divorce”, an Australian comedy series, and “Waaay Off Broadway” a scripted comedy about whether or not an original play can be put on in just 48 hours

• Documentaries, including: “Broadway Idiot”, which follows Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong from a punk rock concert at Madison Square Garden to the opening of his Broadway musical, and; “Theater of War”, shadowing Meryl Streep as she prepares to play Mother Courage in “Mother Courage and Her Children” at The Public Theater / NY Shakespeare Festival in 2006

• Live performances of “Hamlet” at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre + “Swan Lake”

• Feature films, including: “If I Were You”, starring the actress Marcia Gay Harden, along with “Revival! The Experience”, starring ten-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan, Grammy winner Michelle Williams, and gospel star Bishop William Murphy III. Additional film titles, such as “False Confessions” and “Measure for Measure” will also be in full-length form

• Four web-isodes of “On the Patio”, shot exclusively for STAGE, featuring Mickey Mouse Club alum Lindsey Alley and her mum, Marcia, discussing anything and everything theatre

• Extended previews of 'STAGE' original series “Thursday in the Park” + “Studio Sessions”

If you like the sound of the above, simply visit the online web portal and click on 'PREVIEW NOW', in the top left corner of the webpage, to enjoy any/all of these 'STAGE' previews for free using your web browser. Those reading this blog from the United States may also wish to take advantage of the offer for a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL, which will unlock special features plus additional bonus content, but I'd suggest holding-off until the full platform launches on October 1st, if you really want to make the most of your free promotional period, because you'll have more to choose from at that time! ;-) :-)

Given how plans for the proposed international expansion of the full (paid) subscription streaming service from 'STAGE' are unlikely to come into effect until 2019, I would advise UK Roku users to stick with what's available via the "free platform" (online) for now... and, that way, you can save your right to a 30-day free trial until the "full platform" service is made available internationally next year.

Meanwhile if you'd like to read-up on some of the extra content, which is due to be made available as part of the 'STAGE' streaming library in the coming months, here's a few links to what's in store:- 

THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN MUSICAL - a reality competition show in which new musicals are presented and judged.

WE CAN COOK TOO! - STAGE’s half-hour original series hosted by Tony-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz

HOW I GOT OVER - Can telling your story save your life? A documentary following 15 formerly homeless women as they craft an original play, based on their harrowing true-life stories.

THE  STANDBYS - a documentary telling the story of the actors you don't see… performers so talented huge Broadway productions trust them to standby as understudies to carry an entire show.

SHOWING UP - a documentary film which takes an unprecedented look at the audition, compiled from more than 50 interviews with notable artists.

THE PRIMARY INSTINCT - Actor Stephen Tobolowsky has acted in over 200 TV shows and movies but with his film, 'The Primary Instinct', Stephen plays himself and uses the art of storytelling to take the audience through a riveting and moving journey about life, love, and Hollywood.

You are free to browse the entire 'STAGE' content library online at any time... but do be aware that you may have to 'SIGN IN' for access to certain content that is intended only for paid subscribers. Speaking of which, if/when you do decide to subscribe to the 'STAGE' streaming service, remember to have a thorough read of their privacy policy before you sign-up. Then, should you have a need for further information, I would suggest reaching-out to 'STAGE' through social media channels with any additional questions you might have. There's both an official Twitter Feed: @WatchSTAGE as well as their FB page: WatchSTAGE (Facebook) where comments can be left for the folks from 'STAGE' to answer but, before you resort to that, you may want to check the online help section of their website for support with any matters pertaining to your use of the 'STAGE' streaming service.

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 decent crop of twenty-plus new Roku channels to browse through, that should be more than enough to keep you occupied while I see what snippets of Roku-related 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 that 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 six 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 19th August 2018 and 25th August 2018:-

SNOW TV..............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

LIVE PRAYER WITH BILL KELLER...................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

WORLD NEWS LIVE.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

FREEDOM FIT WORKOUTS...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

PLEASE NOTE:- That, although the description in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store identifies this channel as 'Freedom Fit Workouts', the link (itself) includes the alternative name 'Freedom.Fit' and, to further confuse matters, the 'Roku Guide' review refers to this app as 'Freedom Fitness' while other websites have also called it 'Freedom Fit Workout Exercise' which may (or may not) be another of the names used for previous incarnations of this channel. Regardless of which name it goes by, the one unifying factor (throughout all of these variations) has been the unique identifier that is assigned to the channel - in this case: ".../details/250693" - for the purposes of the Roku Web Store. So, if you happen to see one of these alternative names when following the links provided (above) to obtain further information about this particular channel, rest assured that (aside from the names used) all of the details found on those third-party websites are nevertheless valid for 'Freedom Fit Workouts'! :-)

FAITH & WISDOM CHURCH BRANSON...........................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

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

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

PELIDOM - DOMINICAN MOVIES......COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

ICN KUNG FU.......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

LIZARDS............................................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

FROGS............................................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

HOT ROD CARS................................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

AUTUMN COLORS...........................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

CHARLIE CHAPLIN CHANNEL.........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

NEODESHA UNITED METHODIST.....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

FAITH MEMORIAL CHURCH..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

SIMPLE MATHS............................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

FREE WORKOUT CHANNEL...............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "FITNESS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

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

***FILED UNDER: "SCI & TECH" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

RANGARANG FLASHBACK....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

BORN AGAIN DAILY............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***

AVES COLORIDAS...........................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

SNAKES SCREENSAVER................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***

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Anyhow, like it or not, that is your lot this week and, while it barely amounts to more than forty per cent of the 50 apps added to the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store in the same time-frame, it's better to get 22 NEW CHANNELS than none at all... as I'm sure you will agree!?! I should probably also point out that, of the 28 channel shortfall, three of those new apps were related to individual US-based church organisations which (it could be argued) are likely to carry little significance for most UK Roku users. There were also several new apps in the "News & Weather" category of the Roku USA Channel Store that pertained to various local news services in the United States so, once again, their absence from the Roku UK Channel Store will mean very little to most UK-based owners of Roku streaming media players. Another of the US-only new additions was geared towards various aspects of "Owner Financed Land" with an image of two cowboys out on the range and, as much as that lifestyle might appeal to some of us in the UK, I doubt too many Roku streamers in the United Kingdom will be disappointed by it's absence. Of the remaining "missing" channels, that left around twenty which I'd like to have seen added to the Roku UK Channel Store (as well as the U.S. one) so, if / when I get the chance, I will try to contact the developers and request they make those channels available in the United Kingdom (as well as the United States). As is often the case, when all is said and done, the difference in the number of new releases was not as significant as the totals for each region might suggest. Meanwhile for those still clinging-on to their NowTV device(s) for whatever reason, as with most weeks, there were zero new Roku channels (apps) for the NOW TV 'App Store' once again... meaning the total number of apps stays at just forty-five, with no 'Prime Video', no 'TVPlayer', and still no 'Netflix', meaning you really would be better-off by choosing to upgrade any NowTV-branded products that you might own to genuine Roku-branded streaming players! ;-) :-D


In any event, hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the twenty-two "public" channels outlined above... or else from the "private" channels, whose access codes have been "gifted" to you via the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels to this blog, at various points over the past months and years. However, if you didn't find anything to add to your Roku channel selection from the assortment of apps on offer this week, you can always pay us a visit another time when, with any luck, there will be something more to your liking. After all, there's no point installing every app because, like I say... when it comes to adding new channels to your Roku, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS!

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As touched upon previously, you can expect my usual summary of all the goings-on (or not) in the (severely restricted) Roku Channel Store (aka "App Store") that features on NowTV devices to continue in future posts. Meanwhile, whether you happen to own a Roku player, a NowTV Box, OR BOTH, as I do... be sure to check my earlier posts (as mentioned before) for all the new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store in each of the two hundred and eleven preceding weeks, then come back again in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp'. Hopefully, by the time I make my next post, I may even have sorted out another (new) companion Twitter Feed to replace the now suspended: @ukrokuchannels account so there will still be a presence on the social media platform via which up-to-the-minute info on Roku-related matters (here in the UK) is posted on a daily basis!

Until the next time, then...

That's all folks !!