On Google TV, Roku is making it simpler to find and enjoy its content without switching between apps. Soon, users will be able to search for content from Roku’s free streaming app, The Roku Channel, directly on Google TV, giving them instant access to the streaming service’s library of more than 80,000 films and TV series.
Much deeper integration with Google’s software will be provided by the Roku Channel app, which will be released “in the coming weeks” on Google TV and Android TV. The first step is search integration, which will allow content from The Roku Channel to be displayed. In a technical sense, this began to roll out in September.
Additionally, the Roku Channel app is being upgraded to display previously viewed content in the “Continue Watching” row on the home screen. Additionally, Roku Channel content can be found in Google TV’s “For You” recommendations.
The most noteworthy, though, is that Google TV’s “Live” page will soon feature The Roku Channel’s library of 500 free and ad-supported (FAST) channels. Although it hasn’t been stated yet, it appears more likely that this integration will be more akin to that of YouTube TV or Philo, where the “Live” tab can display the channel guide when the Roku Channel app is installed. This is in addition to the 1,100+ channels that are available on the home screen before any apps are downloaded.
Popular content from The Roku Channel will be easier for streamers to find on Google TV in the upcoming weeks. Searching for entertainment on The Roku Channel, browsing through movies and TV shows inside Google TV recommendations, live TV, featured rows, and more will all be possible for users. The best part is that it’s free.