Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #302

Hi, everyone !!



As you might expect, in the week leading-up to the festive period, there's been a channel publishing blackout in force (more or less) since my previous 'Weekly RoundUp' post appeared on this blog. As it happens, this does not mean my current post is devoid of new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store... because there are one dozen "new" apps which (somehow) escaped my notice last week (read on for details about those) and, better yet, they're all FREE-TO-ADD to Roku devices! :-)


Despite there being little of interest in terms of Roku-specific (or even Roku-related) news during the past 7 days, if you've used your Roku device(s) any time between my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post and this one, chances are you'll already be aware of a significant piece of Roku news I have for you...

Never ones to shy away from celebrating a big occasion, Roku have (once again) offered a change of scenery for the background imagery on our favourite streaming media player(s) in recent days. For those with (relatively) short memories... similar changes have been made in previous years around this time and, given how "Christmas Day" 2018 is fast approaching, on this occasion we have been treated to another "Happy Holidays" winter theme... once again, complete with falling snowflakes, to ensure Roku owners in all regions have a 'White Christmas' on their streaming media players, even if there's no snow on the ground outside! Like I said... pretty much everyone with a Roku device will (most likely) have witnessed this latest change to the background (i.e. "theme" or "wallpaper" image) on the "Home" screen of their streaming media player(s) but, for those who didn't... this screenshot (taken from one of my Roku devices) gives you an idea of what the current featured theme is about:- 

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

If, by virtue of the 'Settings' on your Roku device(s), you did not notice a switch to the above "theme" for Roku's "Winter Theme" and would like to experience this (brief) change of scenery... there is no need to worry as there is still a (small) window of opportunity for you to take advantage of it, if you would like to add it to your own Roku player(s). Of course, there may equally well be some of you who were less appreciative of the enforced change of scenery thrust upon your TV screen(s) as a result of yet another back-door "update" from Roku !! Anyway... if it happens again and you don't like the new theme, or if you missed it (at first) but would like to add it while it's still a "current" option, it's very easy to switch back to a previous theme (or select another, from the choice available) via the 'Settings' menu on your Roku. All you need do is navigate to "Settings > Theme > Change theme" from the "Home" screen & highlight your choice of "theme". This gives you a thumbnail screenshot of what you can expect as your backdrop (if selected), as per the (above) screenshot, and it's then just a matter of pressing the "OK" button to confirm your choice and save the change.

In future, should you rather not take advantage of (or, be subjected to) these "featured themes", then you can SIMPLY SWITCH THEM OFF, which is (again) easily achieved VIA THE CUSTOM SETTINGS in your Roku 'Settings' menu. Simply navigate to "Settings > Theme > Custom settings", from the "Home" screen of your Roku, and you will see the option to "Enable featured themes", which will toggle between "On" or "Off" based on whether there is a check mark (i.e. tick) beside that option. It's then just a matter of deciding what's best for you by pressing the "OK" button to toggle it and then save the change by exiting the menu. Those choosing to leave "Enable featured themes" with a check mark, i.e. "On", will find that their Roku player(s) will automatically switch to a "featured theme" whenever one is available, and then automatically switch back to their previous choice of "theme" when it expires. Anyone opting to leave "Enable featured themes" without a check mark, i.e. "Off", will find that their Roku player(s) DOES NOT automatically switch to a "featured theme", BUT... for the period of time that a "featured theme" IS AVAILABLE, you can still switch to it (manually) as and when you like. In other words, IF YOU DO NOT WANT to have your Roku switch to a "featured theme", without your actively choosing to do so, then all you need do is deactivate FEATURED THEMES by leaving "Enable featured themes" without a check mark, i.e. "Off", which will leave your Roku player "Theme" set just as you like it, with no danger of any unexpected changes in the future, unless you choose otherwise !!

Personally I rather like the (slight) "surprise" element of these "featured themes" which, as will (likely) be the case this time, appear only for a matter of days and I was (once more) excited to discover the "Happy Holidays" winter theme on my Roku in the days leading-up to 25th December. Needless to say, I (for one) will be leaving my "featured themes" set to "On" for the foreseeable future to discover what surprises lie in store as the days, weeks, months and years unfold from now.


While we're on the subject of themes, the other significant piece of Roku-specific news that I have to share with you concerns a recent blog post from the "Official" Roku Stream Blog. For some reason, it did not appear in the list of posts from the Roku (UK) version of the blog but, if readers from the UK (and other Roku regions: Ireland, Canada, etc.) would like to check it out, you can easily navigate to the original (U.S.) version from the "Official" Roku Stream Blog by following the link provided here.

Essentially, Roku have recently taken the (long overdue) decision to make all of their themes from the Roku Channel Store available for FREE to all Roku customers from this point onwards. Those who recall the original announcement (again via the "Official" Roku Stream Blog) from way back in 2015, when the "Themes" category (i.e. genre) was first added to the "Official" Roku (USA) Channel Store, could well remember the backlash which followed when it was discovered that Roku had opted to charge for these "themes" as an extra revenue stream, instead of including them for free - as is the case with similar "wallpaper" images for desktop computers that are built-in to the operating system.


It may have taken a few years for Roku to act on the "feedback" they received from customers on this particular subject but, thankfully, we no longer have to wait for the odd occasion when Roku would throw us a bone by making one or two themes available for free over a limited period (like they did with the "Letterpress" and "White Winter" themes in years gone by) and can now choose to switch the background(s) on our Roku player(s) whenever we like - without incurring any costs to do so! :-D

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

Unfortunately, despite the suggestion that ALL themes "...will be free for all Roku customers", there's a couple from the list of one dozen "THEMES JUST ADDED TO THE ROKU CHANNEL STORE" in the above blog post by Bill Wilson - namely 'Fireworks' plus 'Stars & Stripes' - that have not been made available in the 'Themes' category of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store via either the built-in version on UK Roku devices, or the "Roku UK Web Store" accessed online through their website.


Hopefully, if/when Roku notices this omission, they will make the necessary changes to ensure that the two "missing" themes are (also) extended to their UK customers. In the meantime, here's a look at their respective channel icons (aka 'HD Poster' images) plus screenshots taken from the relevant descriptions of each theme - as published via the Roku (USA) Web Channel Store - so that readers of this blog from the UK (and elsewhere) have an idea of what to expect should they become available:-

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

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

PLEASE NOTE:- That, despite this 'Fireworks' theme being available for install by Roku customers in the United States via the 'Themes' category of the "Official" Roku (USA) Channel Store, there is (currently) no active link to an associated 'Roku Guide' review. Needless to say, once any such review has been published, I will add the "missing" link to this article. In the meantime, here are a couple of screenshots taken from the channel description published via the "Roku USA Web Channel Store":-

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

Although the setting for the above 'Fireworks' theme is Washington D.C., in the United States, to my mind there is no reason why a background image of fireworks in the night sky being reflected in the water below should not prove popular with Roku users in other countries and/or "regions" around the globe... so I hope that Roku will (re-)consider it's (current) lack of availability to UK customers and take the necessary steps to rectify this situation. Likewise there are plenty of "ex-pat" Americans, and others, living in the UK who would welcome the opportunity to adorn their Roku players with images of the "Stars & Stripes" - if only for occasions such as the '4th of July' celebrations on which, in years gone by, the UK has been excluded from the various "Featured" or "Custom" themes offered to Roku customers in the USA, albeit on a temporary basis. So, with any luck, Roku will also see fit to extend their 'Stars & Stripes' theme to UK Roku owners... but, in the meantime, here's some screenshots that were taken from the channel description published via the "Roku USA Web Channel Store" online:-

STARS & STRIPES.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

PLEASE NOTE:- That, despite this 'Stars & Stripes' theme being available for install by Roku users in the United States via the 'Themes' category of the "Official" Roku (USA) Channel Store, there is (currently) no active link to an associated 'Roku Guide' review. Needless to say, once any such review has been published, I will add the "missing" link to this article. Meanwhile, to give you a better idea of what to expect, here's some examples of how this theme looks when installed on Roku devices:-

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

Something else that emerged from Bill Wilson's "Free home screen themes for all Roku customers!" blog post is how, "by popular demand", Roku are planning to bring back a few customer favourites from the past. There's no indication (at the time of writing) as to whether this will include the 'Lego' theme which put-in a brief appearance in 2014, around the time that "The Lego Movie" was released, or the 'Star Wars' theme - featured in my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #110" post from April 2015 - but it would be great to see those (among others) given a new lease of life! :-D

LEGO (FEATURED) THEME: U.S.-ONLY (TEMPORARY) CUSTOM THEME [2014]

STAR WARS (FEATURED) THEME: U.S.-ONLY (TEMPORARY) CUSTOM THEME [2015]

Personally, I'd very much like to see the 'AC/DC' theme given a permanent home under the 'Themes' category (i.e. genre) of the Roku Channel Store. Long-time readers of this blog might recall that this particular theme was featured in my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #129" post which was published back in August 2015, and (among others) included the two screenshots shown below:-

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

Others may prefer to see the 'House of Cards Theme', or the 'Adventure Time Theme' being given a new lease of life on the platform... and I'm sure there'll be others on the wish lists of Roku users! :-D Given the enormous worldwide popularity of the "Game of Thrones" series I'm pretty certain that the free 'GoT' theme, which was only available to Roku customers in the United States, would also prove to be a welcome addition to the 'Themes' category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku Channel Store in other countries and/or "regions" where Roku products are supported. Check-out the screenshot below and, if you'd like to see it made available on your Roku devices, be sure to let them know you like it!

While you're at it... if you'd like to see the return of their 'Pipe Dream' (Surfing) theme or others, that have come and gone from the 'Themes' category of the "Official" Roku Channel Store over the past few years, such as: 'The Big Lebowski Theme', or; 'Scarface Theme', and; 'Fast and Furious Theme', plus; non movie-related options like the 'Urban Camo Theme'; 'Poker Theme', or; 'The Grateful Dead' theme, be sure to let the 'Roku Support' team know which ones (if any) you'd prefer to have! ;-) :-)


Anyway, that's enough talk about new Roku themes which are (currently) not available in the UK... instead, let's concentrate on the 12 *NEW* FREE-TO-ADD ROKU THEMES that are available to install on UK Roku devices - as well as other countries in which Roku products are supported! :-D


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... to wit, thirty-eight of these "new" reviews were for Roku channels that were featured in my 'Weekly RoundUp' post from last week, while seven more were for Roku channels that featured in my 'Weekly RoundUp' post two weeks ago so, if you'd like an independent appraisal of those apps, be sure to check-out the relevant post (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 the 'Roku Guide' reviews for all but one of the new apps published during the last seven days... which means that, much like other posts in recent times, you'll have to do the research on those yourselves. As of ten months ago, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s)... or else, following the links in each post to the relevant channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store. Once the "missing" reviews have been published by 'Roku Guide', I will (as I have previously) ensure that I add the relevant link(s) to each post. Apologies (as always) for any inconvenience caused by the absence of active links to an independent review for all of the new apps this week but, like I say, it's entirely out of my hands. Hopefully they'll get a chance to catch-up on them sometime in the coming week, otherwise I may have to start doing my own reviews!?! :-O ;-) :-)


Still, back to this week... and, as always, my list will help you 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 and a half years, there's a *lot* of reading to catch-up on. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all the "new" Roku channels I found between 16th December 2018 and 22nd December 2018:-

SONS OF ANARCHY THEME..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

EARTH SPACE THEME.........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

FALL LANDSCAPE................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

HAUNTED HOUSE................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

SPOOKY FOREST..................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

SUPER MOM...........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

LET'S FLY A KITE..................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

LOVE BALLOONS.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

MIDNIGHT MAGIC...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

PAPER FLOWERS..................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

PAPER HEARTS......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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

AMERICA'S PASTIME...........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

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



By way of an ADDED BONUS you will find ALL FORMER PAID THEMES ARE NOW FREE... so, in addition to the twelve new Roku themes outlined above, you can also choose from a further selection of 29 existing Roku themes, as outlined below:-

1. Marilyn Monroe Theme - WAS: £1.99 - NOW: FREE
2. Golf Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
3. UFC Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
4. Letterpress Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
5. Garfield Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
6. Beach Palms Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
7. Nature Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
8. Kittens Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
9. Puppies Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
10. Zen Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
11. Fish Fun Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
12. Star Trek: The Original Series Theme - WAS: £1.99 - NOW: FREE
13. Star Trek: The Next Generation Theme - WAS: £1.99 - NOW: FREE
14. Sharknado Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
15. White Winter Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
16. Math Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
17. WheelsOnFire Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
18. DirtRider Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
19. Backcountry Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
20. Classic Vinyl Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
21. Fadeaway Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
22. WorldCup2018 Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
23. Spacetime Theme - WAS: £2.99 - NOW: FREE
24. CraftBrewed Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
25. Panda Wonderland Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
26. Pet House Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
27. Jungle in the Dark Theme - WAS: £0.69 - NOW: FREE
28. Backcountry Dusk Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE
29. Brush Work Theme - WAS: £1.49 - NOW: FREE

Since these themes are now all COMPLETELY FREE TO INSTALL on your Roku device(s), I have decided not to include links to the associated 'Roku Guide' reviews within the above list. Instead you can simply click on the name of any theme to be redirected to a Roku Web Channel Store description for that channel (i.e. individual theme). Should you wish to read the review, you can just use 'Search' (top right of each page) on this blog to enter the name of your chosen theme and the post(s) featuring that particular theme will be shortlisted among the results. If you scroll down and view the relevant 'Weekly RoundUp' post that includes your chosen theme, you will find an active link to the review has been included beneath the channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) for that theme in the list of apps.


There was one other new Roku channel, published on 17th December 2018, which has found it's way into the "Just Added" category of the "Official" Roku Channel Store but, for some (as yet) unknown reason, it does not have a more permanent place assigned to it within the channel store categories. It may be that this has (somehow) slipped through the net - given there is no developer credited in the channel store description - and, considering the aforementioned channel publishing blackout would have been in place at the time of it's release, it's appearance among the apps is a bit of a mystery. If you are (in any way) curious to check it out, however, here are the details for this new channel:-

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

***N.B. THIS WAS UNCATEGORISED in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***


PLEASE NOTE:- That, while this 'ROFL' channel for Roku devices can be found within the 'New' category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store, no permanent category / genre had (at the time of writing) been assigned to this channel in the UK. If I somehow succeed in bringing this matter to the attention of the developer / content provider, I'd expect to see this app given a permanent "home" under 'Comedy' in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store within a few weeks of so-doing. In the meantime, if you don't wish to trawl through the 'New' category of the channel store to find it, I suggest you take advantage of the built-in Roku 'Search' feature to locate and install it. Using this method, you probably won't even need to finish typing the word "ROFL" before seeing the channel listed among the 'Search Results' displayed on the right-hand side of your television screen. Failure to assign a permanent channel store category for the UK within the next four weeks (however) would mean that, once it ceases to be part of the 'New' category, it would no longer be listed in the channel store. So, if you think you're likely to want this channel, my advice would be to install it by mid-January (at the latest) because, if the necessary edits are not made to the Roku channel package (.PKG file) by that time, you will not see it in there afterwards. Needless to say, if/when the channel is edited to include a permanent channel store category for the UK, I'll update this listing with details of whatever genre has been assigned to it. As mentioned above I'd expect this to be the 'Comedy' genre, but it could (possibly) wind-up in another category.

*********************************************

Anyhow, like it or not, that is your lot this week and, while I don't yet have an exact figure for the new apps which were added to the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store in the same time-frame, at least you have a selection of 13 NEW CHANNELS to keep you occupied while I check the numbers! ;-) Meanwhile, for those still clinging-on to their NowTV device(s) for whatever reason, I'm afraid to say that, much like most weeks, there were zero new Roku channels (apps) added to the 'App Store' on NOW TV products... meaning the total number of available apps remains at just forty-five! :-(


Moreover, with no 'TVPlayer' or 'Prime Video' app(s) among the selection of channels found in the NOW TV 'App Store' (to name but two) - despite there being dedicated channels for both of them on UK Roku devices - the range of NowTV-branded products continues to fall short of the mark in terms of current streaming needs for many in the UK. So, the best way to increase your choice of streaming services, is to swap any NowTV-branded products you own for genuine Roku-branded media players which can provide access to 5,700+ apps of content from a vast assortment of providers! ;-) :-D


In any event, hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the thirteen "public" channels outlined above... or else the "private" channels, whose access codes were "gifted" to you via the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels to this blog, at various points over the past five and a half 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 devices, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS!

*********************************************

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 carry on in future posts. Meanwhile, whether you happen to own a Roku player, 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 twenty-eight preceding weeks and then come back again in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp'.


With nothing else of a Roku-related nature to report, all that remains is for me to wish each and every one of you "Happy Holidays" - INSERT YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION HERE - and to give you a heads-up that the coming week, up to and including the New Year celebrations, could well prove to be even less fruitful than the one we've just had. If so, it may afford me the opportunity to look back over the year and provide a summary of what were the high (and low) points as far as Roku users are concerned, but I can't say for certain if that will be the case. If not I'll do my best to find some special offers for you, to tide everybody over until whatever comes our way at CES 2019. Meanwhile, keep an eye on this blog for any "Boxing Day" UK Roku bargains that I come across and stay tuned for more offers on Roku-related products and services in the January Sales! ;-) :-)

Until the next time, then...

That's all folks !!

How To Watch Whyte vs. Chisora 2 PPV Boxing Event On Roku Players & NowTV Devices via Live Streaming!

Hi, everyone !!



If you follow the sport of boxing, and in particular the heavyweight class which has been producing some sizzling showdowns in recent times, then you are no doubt already aware that there is another mouth-watering fight lined-up for Saturday 22nd December 2018 at the O2 Arena in London (UK) between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora... plus an undercard that features the likes of Joshua Buatsi vs. Renold Quinlan (10 Rounds Light-Heavyweight), plus Cristofer Rosales vs. Charlie Edwards (WBC World Flyweight Title), Carlos Takam vs. Senad Gashi (10 Rounds Heavyweight), David Price vs. Tom Little (8 Rounds Heavyweight), as well as a British Featherweight Title contest between Ryan Walsh and Reece Bellotti... all crammed-in to 7 hours of Pay-Per-View (PPV) boxing entertainment (starting from 6pm on Saturday night until approximately 1am in the early hours of Sunday 23rd December 2018) for less than twenty quid - not bad, eh!?!! ;-) :-D

THE MAIN EVENT: DILLIAN WHYTE vs. DERECK CHISORA

As can be seen from the above screenshot image promoting the fight, this PPV boxing event will be shown via 'Sky Sports Box Office' which, contrary to what many people believe, does not actually mean that you will need a satellite dish and/or a monthly subscription to 'Sky' in order to watch it... because, the reality is that you can book and stream the fight whether you're a 'Sky' customer or not!


Better yet - unlike the Middleweight fight between Gennady Golovkin & Saul Canelo Alvarez, which marked the official launch of 'BT Sport Box Office' earlier this year, and required viewers to watch via either 'Sky TV', 'BT TV', or 'Virgin Media', with no option to view the event via an app or online player... the fact that the fight between Whyte and Chisora is being shown by 'Sky Sports Box Office' instead of 'BT Sport Box Office' means you have the choice to watch via desktop browser on your PC / Mac, as well as using the dedicated mobile app for iOS (Apple) or Android devices and, better yet, for those with Roku and/or NowTV-branded streaming products... you can watch it on your TV!


INSTALLING THE 'SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE' CHANNEL


Believe it or not, it's been over two years since NOW TV first added a dedicated Roku channel for 'Sky Box Office' to the 'App Store' on their NowTV Box(es) and, although there is still no "public" version (i.e. one listed in the 'Channel Store' on Roku devices) of the app, a "private" channel added to the Roku platform means that Pay-Per-View (PPV) events from 'Sky Sports Box Office' - which include the forthcoming heavyweight bout between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora on Saturday 22nd December 2018 - can also be streamed live on UK Roku devices! :-D

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

If you happen to have read a similar post which I also published via this blog, around 5 months ago, on "How To Watch Whyte vs. Parker PPV Boxing Live On Roku Players..." via live streaming, then there's a good chance (assuming you watched that fight on your Roku player) that you will already have added the above "private" channel for 'Sky Sports Box Office' to your list of installed apps. In which case, you can skip the next few paragraphs explaining how to install the channel and (instead) jump straight to the section on PURCHASING THE EVENT to buy your virtual ticket for this fight.


If, on the other hand, you have not yet added 'Sky Sports Box Office' to your list of installed apps... then you will need to follow the necessary steps (outlined below) to make it available on your device. As mentioned before, because this is a "private" channel, you will not be able to find it in the Roku UK Channel Store... and will instead need to log-in to your online Roku account where you can make use of the "Add channel with a code" option. For the benefit of anyone who may not have installed any so-called "private" channels to their Roku account before... if you 'Sign in' to the Roku website online, then look under 'Manage account', you will see an active link through which you may "Add channel with a code" and, if you click on that, you will then see a pop-up window where you need only enter the 'Channel access code' and click the blue 'Add channel' button to have the channel added to your Roku account. In this instance enter ACCESS CODE: skysportsboxoffice to install it.


Here's a screenshot of the 'Manage account' section, with the active link to "Add channel with a code" highlighted in blue. To get to it... simply scroll down the 'My Account' page, which is the main page that loads-up after you sign in to your Roku account online, until you see the section shown below:-

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

If you have never added a "private" channel to your Roku account before (or it has been a while since you last added one) then you should be aware that, following problems in Mexico which led to a ban on the sale and/or import of Roku products in that country (recently overturned), it became necessary for Roku to issue a 'WARNING' message (see screenshot below) every time a "private" channel is added. This is nothing that should concern you and, having already installed & signed-in to this particular channel myself, I can confirm there are no issues with it - so just click "OK" to continue...

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

Once you have clicked the blue "OK" button, you will then get another pop-up window asking you to confirm that you wish to add the private channel to your account. From there, you need only click on the blue "Yes, add channel" button to have 'Sky Sports Box Office' added to your account. Here is the channel icon (aka 'HD Poster' image) to look for among the list of apps added to your Roku account:-

TIP: If you don't see the above icon for the 'Sky Sports Box Office' private channel at the end of your list of installed apps, go to Settings > System > System update > Check now on your Roku device and, once you see the on-screen message saying "Your Roku player software is up to date", simply press "OK" followed by the "Home" button on your Roku remote, to return to the main menu. From there... press the 'RIGHT' directional arrowhead key once, followed by a single press of the 'UP' directional arrowhead key, via your Roku remote and you should then see the 'Sky Sports Box Office' private channel sitting at the end of your list of installed Roku channels ready to be launched! ;-) :-)


While that's all well and good for those with genuine Roku-branded products in the UK, as opposed to their (much) lesser Roku-Powered™ equivalents from NowTV, the process is far less complicated for those using the bargain basement (where you get what you pay for, with less than 45 apps in total) NowTV-branded devices for which the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app (itself) can be easily installed by simply navigating (from the "Home" screen) to the NOW TV "App Store" then scrolling down to the "News, Weather, Sport" category, wherein (once selected/highlighted) you need only press the "OK" button on the NowTV remote and reveal an option to "Add app" to the list of "My apps" that can be found in the main menu of the "Home" screen on all NOW TV devices. For ease of reference, the app icon used in the "App Store" on NowTV-branded products is the same as the one (shown above) for the Roku private channel icon and, even if you opt to trawl through all forty-three "Most Popular" apps (instead of eleven in the "News, Weather, Sport" genre, per my previous suggestion) it won't be too long before you come across the relevant image and can proceed to install the app as instructed.



PURCHASING THE EVENT


Regardless of whether you plan to watch the fight on a Roku player (via the "private" channel) or on a NowTV-branded device (via the equivalent 'Sky Sports Box Office' app), once you have performed the necessary steps to install the app (or, "channel", as Roku refer to them) on your device, you need to make sure that you go online and purchase the fight (preferably) no later than midnight on Friday 21st December 2018 (i.e. the day before the event) to ensure that everything is in place (and in good time) ahead of the boxing, which begins from 6pm on Saturday 22nd December 2018 with the full undercard. It is important that you visit this webpage to purchase the event for streaming on Roku players, NOW TV devices, or other online platforms (i.e. mobile phones, tablets, desktop browsers, etc.) and not via the other 'Sky Sports Box Office' webpage, which is for those who intend to watch through Sky (satellite) or Virgin Media (cable) and does not include access for online streaming. Here is a screenshot of the relevant webpage from the 'NeuLion' website (as per the link above) so you know what to look for:-

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

Once you click on the red button, marked "BUY EVENT" in the image above, you'll be redirected to another webpage whereupon you must either register to set-up a new 'Sky Sports Box Office' account (if you don't yet have one) or "SIGN IN" (if you are an existing 'Sky Sports Box Office' customer) to complete your purchase of this Pay-Per-View (PPV) event and enable it to be live-streamed via your chosen platform come the day of the fight. For ease of reference, here is an image of the relevant page from the website (reached by clicking the red "BUY EVENT" button) so you know what to look for:-

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

From there, if you are a new customer still needing to "Create Your Account" for use with this and any future 'Sky Sports Box Office' events which you may purchase, simply complete all fields in the registration form (clicking in the relevant check boxes, as necessary, to confirm that you are aware of the privacy and cookies notice plus accept all the T&C's) then click the red "SIGN UP" button at the bottom right of the page, and progress to the next step of the registration process, so you can provide "Your Payment Details" prior to the final stage in which you'll need to "Confirm Your Purchase" for the right to stream the entire Whyte vs. Chisora 2 boxing event (incl. the full undercard). Anyone who has previously set up an account with 'Sky Sports Box Office' (i.e. an existing customer who already has a valid email and password with which to "SIGN IN" and complete their purchase) can scroll down the page and click the link (on the bottom left) to continue, as per the screenshot below:-

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

As you might expect, when clicking the link to "SIGN IN" as indicated above, you will be redirected to another webpage which is specifically for existing customers (who already have an account set-up) to log-in (with the same email and password originally used to sign-up) and confirm their purchase of the Whyte vs. Chisora 2 boxing event (incl. full undercard). For ease of reference, here's a screenshot of the relevant webpage (reached by clicking the "SIGN IN" link) so that you know what to look for:-

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

Having entered the necessary credentials (i.e. email and password) associated with your account, you need only click on the red "CONTINUE" button underneath to progress to the next step, in which you will verify "Your Payment Details", before you "Confirm Your Purchase" to complete the process! :-)


At this point, regardless of whether you are a new or existing 'Sky Sports Box Office' customer, you will know the cost of this Pay-Per-View (PPV) event having now completed your purchase. For ease of reference, however, I'm also going to include details of the pricing as part of this article:-

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The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, or €24.95 for Republic of Ireland customers, and will appear on your debit/credit card statement as a payment to "Sky Box Office" - even though it's all booked through the 'NeuLion' website. While it may seem quite expensive, your purchase includes two repeat screenings (of the full duration) shown at 9.00am and 4pm on Sunday 23rd December and up to seven days of "on-demand" access to the full evening's card after the promotion has taken place.


Better yet, thanks to recent changes in EU legislation which mean streaming services like NOW TV, Netflix and Prime Video can be enjoyed by UK citizens across multiple European destinations, those who have purchased this event within the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland (ROI) can also use their devices to access content from 'Sky Sports Box Office' while "roaming" around much of Europe. So if you're going to be elsewhere on the night of the fight, or during the seven days which follow it, then (provided you purchase the event before you leave the UK or ROI for your holiday or whatever) you can watch 'Sky Sports Box Office' in any of the EU countries listed below:-

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal (including Azores and Madeira)
• Republic of Ireland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain (including the Canary Islands)
• Sweden

However, you will not be able to watch 'Sky Sports Box Office' while "roaming" in non-EU countries throughout Europe, or in any other countries outside Europe. Some of the European countries where roaming is not available include: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.


Other than that, you don't need to do anything differently when watching 'Sky Sports Box Office' outside of the UK or Republic of Ireland. Just make sure, before you begin "roaming" in Europe, that the country you will be in is covered (see list above) and then start watching on any of the supported platforms (i.e. Roku players, NOW TV devices, iOS or Android mobile devices, plus PC / Mac, etc.) when you arrive (as well as during your stay) at your chosen European destination. Normally there is a 30-day period for viewing UK-specific streaming services around Europe, before needing to sign-in again from within the United Kingdom or ROI to maintain access to the content. However, since this PPV event only allows "on-demand" access for "up to seven days" after the event, you are not in any danger of exceeding that particular limitation. Although, that said, any subsequent PPV events which you intend to watch while abroad must also be purchased within the UK or Republic of Ireland (ROI) so do bear that in mind if you are planning to be outside your home country for an extended period.


IMPORTANT NOTE:- You will not be able to sign up for a 'Sky Sports Box Office' account, or buy the event, when "roaming" across Europe. All fight passes must be purchased while in the UK or the Republic of Ireland (ROI), using a payment card issued in the United Kingdom or ROI and registered to your 'Sky Sports Box Office' account. Provided you meet these criteria and are aged 18 or over, living in the UK (including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) or the Republic of Ireland, you can view the fight from any of the eligible European countries (outlined above) without restrictions! :-D

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

When the time of the fight comes around, starting from 6pm on Saturday 22nd December 2018, it'll be your choice as to whether you watch via a Roku player, NowTV-branded device (i.e. NowTV Box, NowTV Smart Box, or NowTV Smart Stick), the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app on your mobile device / tablet, or the dedicated website provided by 'NeuLion' for the purpose of streaming this event. Having said that, because this article is (mainly) intended for users of Roku streaming media players and/or those with NowTV-branded products, I'm going to concentrate on the procedure for signing-in to the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app (which is the same for both the Roku private channel version and the one for NOW TV devices) which, let's face it, are more likely to provide a far better viewing experience (by watching on your TV) than you would get by staring at the screen of a mobile phone or tablet! ;-)


Unless you have already signed-in to the app (e.g. if you downloaded it to watch another PPV event on a previous occasion) then, when you first launch the Roku private channel (or the NOW TV app), following the 'Splash Screen' - no more than a brief glimpse of the 'Sky Sports Box Office' logo - you will be presented with the main 'Sign In' screen, as pictured below:-

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

With the invitation to "SIGN IN" already highlighted (by default) in red, if you then press the "OK" button on your Roku / NowTV remote, the next screen to appear (having pressed the "OK" button) will be the in-app 'Settings' menu, which can be identified using the screenshot shown below:-

Again you will notice that, as per the above image, a further invitation to "SIGN IN" has already been highlighted (by default) in red. So, if you then press the "OK" button on your Roku / NowTV remote, the next screen to appear (after pressing the "OK" button) will be the actual 'Sign In' menu, which can also be readily identified using this additional screenshot image which I am providing for you:-

Once more you can see, from the screenshot I have provided above, that another area of the screen has already been highlighted (by default) in red. This time, it is for you to enter the details for your "EMAIL ADDRESS" but you will (again) need to press the "OK" button on your Roku / NowTV remote (once more) so that the on-screen keyboard appears. Having done so, you should then see the following displayed across your television screen:-

At this point I would advise making use of the official Roku mobile apps for either iOS (i.e. Apple) or Android mobile devices to type-in the necessary details because, while it is still (technically) possible to use the directional arrow keys (i.e. Up, Down, Left and Right) of a Roku / NowTV remote to pick the individual characters needed to complete your email address, you will find it a much quicker and infinitely better experience by taking advantage of the touch-screen keyboard which has been built-in to the 'Remote' section (accessed via the down arrow icon) of the Roku mobile app(s) to perform this particular task. For ease of reference, here are some links to the individual Roku mobile apps for each platform, so users of either iOS (Apple) mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad, etc.) or Android (Google) phones and tablets can go directly to the relevant free download for their chosen device(s):-


FREE DOWNLOAD OF ROKU APP FOR iOS (Apple) DEVICES (Requires iOS 8.0 or later)

PLUS

FREE DOWNLOAD OF ROKU APP FOR ANDROID DEVICES (Requirements vary by device)


PLEASE REMEMBER:- That the above links are for the official 'Roku' mobile apps, intended for use with genuine Roku-branded media players, although they do offer some (limited) functionality if used with NowTV-branded products. However, as far as the 'Remote' screen goes, the apps are functional across both Roku and NOW TV streaming products... so you shouldn't have any bother using them to take advantage of their touch-screen keyboard(s) on either platform. Either way, it's going to be a lot easier typing-in your credentials with these apps than the "peck & click" alternative of the remote! ;-)


Anyway, once you have finished entering your email address, the next step is to 'click' the "SUBMIT" button by selecting it from the on-screen keyboard (with either the app, or your physical remote) and then repeat a similar process by first selecting (and thereby highlighting) the "PASSWORD" field so you can (again) bring-up the on-screen keyboard to enter your password which, like the email address you just entered, should be the one associated with your 'Sky Sports Box Office' account and not from the credentials used to sign-in to either your email account, or your Roku / NOW TV account! If you make a mistake and enter the wrong details, you can always go back and change them - so there's no need to panic if you failed to remember which email address you used for 'Sky Sports Box Office'.


Having entered both the "EMAIL ADDRESS" and "PASSWORD" associated with your 'Box Office' account, you then select the black "SIGN IN" button (with either the app, or your physical remote) to complete the process of logging-in to your 'Sky Sports Box Office' account via the app(s) for either the Roku private channel or the equivalent NOW TV app. With the 'Sign In' process now complete, you are ready to enjoy all of the boxing action by streaming it on your big screen television! :-D


IMPORTANT NOTE:- You won't require any of the NOW TV 'Sky Sports' passes in order to view 'Sky Sports Box Office' events, because live-streaming boxing promotions of this sort aren't included with any of the 'Sky Sports' channels, and having been bought separately through an online purchase (as outlined above) there is no further payment necessary in order to enjoy these PPV events. Having said that, if you've bought the fight (ahead of time) and then changed your mind, you can always send an email and 'Contact NeuLion Support' about requesting a refund of any costs incurred in so-doing.


In terms of the actual streaming requirements to watch PPV events via the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app(s) for Roku Players and/or NOW TV devices, a MINIMUM 2.5Mbps broadband download speed is recommended but, from personal experience, I would advise having two or three times that speed at your disposal. Ideally, try to keep other internet-enabled devices disconnected from your wireless and/or wired network(s) and if need be switched-off altogether, where possible, to help maximise the opportunity for interruption-free and (hopefully) buffer-less streaming of your purchased PPV event.


Should you run into any difficulty ahead of "fight night", then a simple email message to the helpful folks at 'NeuLion Support' might be enough to resolve any issue(s) you are having. However, if you have problems when live streaming the fight itself, you will be better-off connecting with one of their dedicated 'Whyte v Chisora' Digital Customer Support team through the 'Live Chat' function which is available once you've signed-in to your 'Sky Sports Box Office' account via their official website.


PLEASE NOTE:- That the Sky Contact Centre Customer Service staff are unable to support and resolve technical issues with online streaming of the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app - all queries about this service must use the 'Live Chat' function, via the website, or E-mail NeuLion Support for help!


Of course, you could (instead) choose to log-in and watch the fight(s) via an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, and (if need be) your Laptop Computer, Desktop PC, Apple Mac Computer, or other compatible browser-enabled device, but it's important to NOTE THAT:- you can only stream events on one device at a time so, if you wish to start watching on your Roku player or NOW TV device and then switch to the iOS or Android app (e.g. if you need to pop-out for a bit) then you will be required to sign-out of one platform before you can begin watching on another. In other words, you won't be able to watch via two separate apps and/or platforms in parallel... and can only view via one at a time (i.e. on a Roku Player or NOW TV Box or the iOS app or the Android app or via Desktop Browser).


To make life easier, I recommend that you download the relevant 'Sky Sports Box Office' app(s) for any compatible devices that you may own ahead of time so that you are well-prepared (in advance) if a situation arises on "fight night" that may require you to switch from your preferred platform. To wit, I am also including the links to individual 'Sky Sports Box Office' mobile apps for each platform, so users of either iOS (Apple) mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad, etc.) or Android (Google) phones and tablets can go directly to the relevant free download for their chosen device(s):-


FREE DOWNLOAD OF SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE APP FOR iOS (Apple) DEVICES
(n.b. like the 'Roku' mobile app, this requires iOS 8.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone or iPad)

PLUS

FREE DOWNLOAD OF SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE APP FOR ANDROID DEVICES
(n.b. this requires Android 4.4 (KitKat) or later and is compatible with both phones and tablets)


IMPORTANT REMINDER: Always be sure to have the most up-to-date version of the app running on your device to ensure the best possible experience when streaming Pay-Per-View (PPV) events via these 'Sky Sports Box Office' mobile apps. If you do run into any problems, with either of these apps, then please try the following steps to resolve any issue(s) you may be experiencing:-

1. Exit the Sky Sports Box Office application;
2. Delete the app;
3. Power cycle your device (i.e. turn it off, and then back on again);
4. Re-install the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app from either the iTunes (Apple) or Google Play Store;
5. If need be, test the app on cellular and Wi-Fi (making sure 'Location Services' are turned on).

Failing that, if you still need assistance or have any additional questions, contact NeuLion Support.

ALSO:- It's probably worth noting you will not be able to purchase any PPV events through either of these 'Sky Sports Box Office' mobile apps... so ALL payments and sign-ups to this streaming service can only take place through the link provided for the 'NeuLion' website earlier in this article.


Lastly, you can always sign-in and stream this PPV event on the same website that you first visited to purchase it (see link above) if you are unable to watch via the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app(s) for iOS or Android mobile devices; or access the stream on your Roku Player / NOW TV Box / Smart Stick. You will also find some 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ's) at www.skysports.com/boxofficehelp
which is worth a visit for more info about 'Sky Sports Box Office' streaming, as well as how to book. Another useful link, worth bookmarking for PPV events of this nature, is this 'Hail, Mary!' option in the form of a 'Sky Sports Pubfinder' web application which could well come in handy if all else fails. You could even speak to your local pub and find out if it will be possible to watch the event there!?!

At least by doing that you will have saved yourself twenty quid (with no need to purchase the event) and can put it towards a few drinks while you enjoy the fight on the big screen at your local boozer. Then again, with the price of pub drinks these days, it might actually be cheaper to get a few beers in and buy the event through 'Sky Sports Box Office' to enjoy from the comfort of your living room! :-D


Meanwhile as for the main event, judging by the statistics for the two boxers, it looks like Dillian Whyte might have a slight advantage (at least on paper) so it will be interesting to see if they go the distance (i.e. a full twelve rounds) against each other, or if one can find that knockout punch! :-O ;-)

Either way, let's hope it's a good clean fight... and "may the best man win", as the saying goes. Let's also pray 'NeuLion' have managed to iron-out all the kinks in their original 'Sky Box Office' app for NOW TV devices and that this latest incarnation of the 'Sky Sports Box Office' app performs as well as a private channel on UK Roku devices as it has on NowTV Smart Box / NowTV Smart Stick in recent times. I'm really glad to be watching these Pay-Per-View (PPV) events on my Roku device(s) now (as opposed to my NOW TV devices) but I'd be interested to hear how the new Roku private channel compares with your experience(s) of 'Sky Sports Box Office' PPV events on NowTV-branded products, if this is your first time on Roku. So, if you do happen to purchase this event and watch on Roku (as opposed to a NOW TV device) please consider leaving a comment at the end of this post (after the event has finished) to let other readers know of any pro's and con's you might have found.



Thanks, as always, for reading and continuing to support this blog.



It's much appreciated! ;-) :-)