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Roku Channel, Lionsgate Reach Exclusive Streaming Deal for Theatrical Releases

Roku Channel, Lionsgate Reach Exclusive Streaming Deal for Theatrical Releases

With a background in sports and entertainment reporting, he’s covered everything from Broadway to college football. He cut the cord in 2014 and has a sharp eye for streaming trends and a soft spot for Hallmark movies.

The Roku Channel is about to get a significant influx of exclusive, top-notch movies after inking a multi-year deal with Lionsgate. The free, ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platform will receive two separate windows in which they will be the home for Lionsgate films.

Following their theatrical releases, the studio’s movies will first go to their in-house cable network Starz, but then will have an exclusive window on the Roku Channel, followed by a non-exclusive run.

“This agreement affirms the great demand for first-run studio movies across a broad array of platforms,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television Distribution Jim Packer. “This partnership with The Roku Channel shows our ability to capitalize on opportunities in today’s complex television landscape with a multifaceted, layered approach that meets everyone’s needs.”

The upcoming Lionsgate releases that will be included in the initial wave of the deal are “The Expendables 4” starring Sylvester Stallone, 50 Cent, Megan Fox, Jason Statham, and more; “Borderlands” featuring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black; and the big-screen adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”

Also included in the deal will be the John Wick franchise and the recently released Nicolas Cage meta-film “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with our longstanding partner Lionsgate to provide our audience with exclusive first-time, free access to Lionsgate’s theatrical slate,” said Rob Holmes, Roku’s Vice President of Programming. “This innovative approach creates value for both parties, and most importantly provides the millions of streamers on The Roku Channel with the opportunity to enjoy these compelling titles via this unique window.”

Earlier this year, Roku announced that its flagship AVOD platform had reached 80 million people by the end of last year and was an important part of the company’s ad revenue and viewership plans moving forward. In 2021, users consumed 73.2 billion hours of content through Roku’s TVs and devices, making it the No. 1 TV streaming platform in North America.

Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a broad mix of movies, TV shows, live linear channels, and original programming. Available to all viewers — not just Roku device owners — the service features licensed content from major studios alongside Roku Originals, which include exclusive series, movies, and specials previously produced for Quibi, as well as new original projects developed specifically for the platform.

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Programming on The Roku Channel spans multiple genres, including drama, comedy, reality TV, news, and family-friendly content. Popular titles and originals include “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” “Die Hart,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” and a rotating library of classic films and TV series. The platform also offers live news channels, sports highlights, and themed FAST channels covering everything from classic TV to lifestyle programming.

Viewers can watch The Roku Channel for free on Roku devices, smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers, with no subscription required. The service is also available on platforms like Amazon Fire TV and Samsung smart TVs, expanding its reach beyond the Roku ecosystem. While ads are included, the experience is designed to be lighter than traditional broadcast television.

With its combination of free access, original content, live channels, and on-demand entertainment, The Roku Channel has become one of the most widely available and accessible streaming destinations for viewers looking to watch without a monthly subscription.


Matt Tamanini is the News Editor at The Streamable, where he oversees daily news coverage and editorial strategy, with a particular focus on breaking stories, streaming comparisons, and major industry events. A well-rounded journalist with a diverse background, Matt joined The Streamable in 2022 after holding key editorial roles at several high-profile outlets. He has an extensive career in sports and entertainment journalism, having served as a senior editor for BroadwayWorld, the world’s largest theater website, and as managing editor for Land-Grant Holy Land, which covers Ohio State sports.

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