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Apple’s TV App on Roku Uses Apple TV Channels, Not The Roku Channel For Premium Subscriptions

Jason Gurwin
Jason Gurwin has has spent the last 10 years in the technology, media, entertainment industries. For The Streamable, he specializes in all things media like streaming services, devices, and cord cutting.
Read full bio ›
Jason Gurwin

Earlier today, Roku announced that the Apple’s TV App is now available on Roku Streaming Players and TVs. While Roku offers the ability to subscribe to premium subscriptions through The Roku Channel, the company seems to be letting the Apple leverage their own channel marketplace Apple TV Channels.

Just like on Apple TV, the TV App allows you to sign-up for premium subscriptions like Showtime, HBO, and CBS All Access. Instead of going through Roku, the purchase flow requires you to use your Apple ID to subscribe to Apple TV Channels. It wouldn’t be surprising if Roku gets a cut of subscriptions through the Apple TV Channels, but neither company have confirmed a financial arrangement.

Apple’s TV App also give a 7-Day Free Trial to most Apple TV Channels, as well as free episode previews on new series. Through the app, you’ll have access to all the movies you buy or rent on other devices including those you previously purchased on iTunes.

This is different from how streaming services have worked with Apple on Apple TV devices. Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu no longer allow for subscriptions directly on Apple devices because of the 15-30% revenue share the tech giants requires from partners.

Apple primarily has launched the TV App on other platforms like Roku and Smart Televisions to bring their Netflix-competitor Apple TV+ to additional devices. The service which launches on November 1st will be $4.99 per month for the whole family. At launch the service will have original shows like The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, See with Jason Momoa, as well as Oprah’s Book Club by Oprah Winfrey and For All Mankind a show by Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica writer Ronald D. Moore.

Jason Gurwin
Jason Gurwin has has spent the last 10 years in the technology, media, entertainment industries. For The Streamable, he specializes in all things media like streaming services, devices, and cord cutting.
Read full bio ›
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