Roku Inc., the nation’s biggest pathway to streaming services, wants to become an entertainment force in its own right. The streaming hub said it plans to develop more than 50 original shows in the next twenty-four months as part of an effort to make it a destination for free content. (WSJ)
The push into original shows is linked in part to the fact that Roku can gain more advertising dollars from titles housed in the Roku Channel. The company said roughly half of its customer base watches the channel’s free ad-supported shows and movies, which it licenses from more than 200 other media outlets. (NY Post)