Fox to buy Roku

andrewla

Some alternative sources - Fox PR: https://www.foxcorporation.com/news/corp-press-releases/2026... - Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fox-buy-roku-...

lenerdenator

Further proof that antitrust is dead in the US.

andrewla

As a long-time[1] customer of Roku I am tentatively extremely pessimistic. I have always been unhappy with Roku's decision to get involved in streaming content at all, because it could potentially cut into their service-agnostic architecture. Bad enough in my mind that they had in-platform ads instead of just charging for hardware, but way worse when they are actively competing with streaming services. And now it looks like it has happened -- a large content provider wants to buy the company, and while I hope that they can at least notionally continue to be service-agnostic, the temptation to cheat to favor your own services will always be there an when cost cutting and belt tightening is on the table, that is surely what will happen. [1] My order for the "Netflix Player by Roku": "CustomerID# 1162 Thank you very much for your Roku order. Your order number is 2472, placed 5/20/2008 at 10:01AM."

baggachipz

Time for the 'Fox News' button on the Roku remote. Truth Social tweets on your screensaver.

pickleglitch

So now the same corporation that owns Fox News is going to own Roku? No thanks. Guess it's finally time to switch to a custom Android TV box or Apple TV. Or roll my own, but I've tried that and found it pretty difficult.

jqpabc123

Thankfully, I am Roku free.

throwatdem12311

gross, is there any TV is that isn’t Google or Roku that is halfway decent? Bring back dumb TVs

thm

Gift link: https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/fox-roku-deal-f6e564f9?st...

thebiglebrewski

So what are the alternatives? I have mostly Frame TVs and a projector. I always loved the Roku experience, it really felt like the best media player software, they just kept improving it, and having all TVs on the ecosystem made it even better. One app for virtual remotes, bluetooth listening, searching with your phone keyboard, etc. I don't want to go back to the Frame's software. I really like the Backdrops app and so many other features. But it just seems like this acquisition can only accelerate the ensh*tification of Roku. They already changed the default home screen a few weeks ago to show recommendations, SO MANY ads, etc and you change it in settings. But as other commentors have mentioned, now we'll probably have Fox News and Truth Social front and center whether we want it or not. So many apps have DRM that prevent you from running it yourself in any way. Is there another way that lets you run Netflix, Paramount+, HBO, all the majors without any trouble that is as integrated as Roku, or at least anything heading in that direction?

giancarlostoro

I never liked the idea of Roku since I always felt like they could "go away at any moment" since that is all they sold basically. Fun fact, Roku sells security cameras at Walmart, they're technically rebranded Wyze cameras (look just like them, same hardware) with Roku software on them. If you did buy one of those Roku cameras, maybe a good time to switch off to Wyze if you don't like this direction.

pastor_williams

A year ago I started moving away from Roku. I think they've always had ads on the home screen which I blocked with a DNS blocklist but the seasonal ad sections that continued popping up in the menu despite my continually blocking them wore on me. I've upgraded to an nvidia shield using projectivy launcher which allows me to set a customized and very clean interface with the just the apps I use and nothing else. I definitely recommend it.

whalesalad

As of 10am est their stock is down nearly 20%.

dylan604

Ugh, Fox. I recently made the decision to not spend $10.99/month for their FoxOne app to stream World Cup matches. I decided to watch the Telemundo broadcasts instead, even though I don’t speak Spanish, just to not give Fox my money. If I were Roku user, this would definitely cause me to quit being a Roku user. I doubt I’d be the only one, but I also do not believe it will be enough total to be noticeable.

crsv

Timed my move from Roku devices to Apple TV just right it appears.

SG-

I wonder how many TV brands that include Roku on their TVs will dump them going forward especially for the non-american markets.

voakbasda

If this happens, our Roku TV is going in the trash. They locked out their customers of their own devices by pushing updated firmware that forced agreement to new terms. They lost my trust during that episode, and this move shows that was the right decision. Meanwhile, Fox lost my respect decades ago. The idea that they could gain network level access to one of my devices cannot be reconciled with my need to feel secure and safe in my own home. Anyone wanna take the opportunity to share their favorite brands and models of dumb TVs?

HardwareLust

Ok, so now that Roku is dead, what alternatives do we have?

1970-01-01

"Somehow, Roku to become even worse."

gdulli

I switched from Roku to Xbox for Plex because of how Roku has degraded, and not only did I get the primary benefit of being off Roku, but I found the Xbox Plex app has not been updated to the terrible new redesign so it was a double win.

josefritzishere

I'm going to assume now that Fox will ruin Roku. Any suggestions for replacement devices?