Roku Reveals New TV Models, Aims For 4K Streaming With Netflix

Roku has had quite an impressive beginning to CES 2015. The streaming entertainment company announced on January 5, 2015 the creation of several new TV models from select partners and the introduction of Netflix 4K streaming on all Roku platforms.

Roku partnered with TV manufacturers Haier and Insignia to expand the streaming company’s selection of smart TVs available to consumers. Haier’s devices will be available the summer of 2015, while Insignia’s TVs will arrive much sooner in the spring exclusively in Best Buy stores. Roku also revealed its current TV manufacturing partner TCL will release 12 new Roku TV models the first half of 2015.

“Roku TV has set a new standard for smart TVs and has been highly praised by consumers and industry experts for its simplicity, personalization, and huge selection of streaming content,” said Chas Smith, General Manager of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Roku, in the release. He noted how Haier and Insignia’s upcoming Roku TVs will give consumers “the best smart TV experience available.”

Both the new Haier and Insignia Roku TVs will let owners personalize their home screens and combine all their devices (including cable boxes, DVD players, gaming consoles, and more) into one, simplified interface users can control via Roku’s remote or smartphone app. The upcoming Roku TVs will also provide access to the Roku Channel Store with over 2,000

streaming channels, and allow users to stream YouTube and Netflix videos from their phones to the connected TV.

Additionally, Roku wants to let consumers watch content in 4K. The streaming platform has created its own 4K reference design available for licensing to major OEM TV partners. Roku has also partnered with Netflix to offer the subscription service’s content library in the ultra-high-definition streaming format on all future 4K Roku TVs. This deal seems logical considering Netflix was one of the first companies in the streaming market to offer UHD streaming to its users back in 2014.

Roku’s CEO Anthony Wood said “the time is right” for Roku to create 4K TVs with OEMs because of the growing availability of 4K content, consumers’ awareness of the format’s benefits, and the increasing affordability of televisions which support the streaming format. “We are very bullish on 4K as we believe that streaming will be instrumental in its adoption,” he said. “Bringing 4K to the Roku platform will give consumers even more choice and control of their entertainment viewing, and deliver the best streaming experience available.”