Can Roku TV take on Amazon Channels for subscriptions?

Roku TV is the latest to take on the subscription service. Is it too late to take on the likes of Amazon Channels?

Roku has unveiled changes to its streaming TV service. Roku Channels is adding a subscription service, as well as continuing its free shows and movies access. Is it earlier enough to take on the likes of Amazon Channels?

Let’s be honest, Roku is most definitely not the first company to come up with a third-party subscription service. Even taking Amazon out of the equation, Hulu has offered HBO and SHOWTIME and recently added STARZ to its mix. People will choose to get their subscriptions in one place, making it possible for them to pay one monthly payment for all their subscription needs.

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In a way, that should mean Roku has a chance, especially considering it’s already a popular way for many people to stream shows and movies. There’s already a list of free shows and movies to watch and this subscription offering is just going to be a new addition.

The problem is other companies have been around for longer offering the same service. This is especially the case for Amazon Channels. It’s offered HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and many others for years. CBS All Access was added at the start of the year, with the limited-ad option towards the end. A recent report even suggested that a good percentage of the individual app users come from Amazon Channels.

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /

It could be too little too late for Roku to fight against the likes of Amazon and Hulu. Many people already have their subscriptions. After all, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and Epix are the only subscriptions on offer, according to CNBC, meaning some of the bigger services (most importantly, HBO) are absent from the offer.

Plus, the service remains only for those in the United States. The only way a company will stand a chance of taking on the competition in a major way is to offer the subscription services outside of the country. Trial it with the likes of Canada, UK, and Australia first and then branch out to other areas.

It’s a start but it may not be able to take on the likes of Amazon Channels and Hulu.

Next. 7 Amazon Channels worth getting. dark

Would you get some services through Roku? Do you get the third-party apps through Amazon Channels? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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