Sports fans recently got access to a new service that provides games and more for a low monthly fee, cable not required. Called ESPN+, the service offers access to the network's original content, such as 30 for 30, as well as some live games from major leagues and access to events. As of today, the streaming sports platform is now available through Roku devices.
Hulu has expanded device support for its new app, the one containing access to both its on-demand content and its live television channels. The app started arriving several months ago for other platforms and is now available for all of the most commonly used streaming devices. This time around, the company has launched Live TV support for certain LG smart TVs, eliminating the need to use a separate streaming stick or set-top box.
The Roku Channel, which was announced back in September, will be available on some Samsung smart TVs this year. That marks the channel's launch outside of the Roku hardware ecosystem, giving Samsung owners access to the same ad-supported channel enjoyed by Roku Streaming Stick and set-top-box owners. According to the company, Roku Channel is one of its top 20 channels, making it a "tremendous" success for the platform.
Back at CES 2018, TCL revealed its news 6-series line of TVs. The successor to last year's P6-series, this new line up of TVs looks to keep some of the features that make TCL stand out from the crowd (like a low price), while tossing a little more into the mix. Today, we're finding out just when the 6-series will launch, and its release is coming up quickly.
![YouTube TV Roku support arrives, but Apple TV is still pending [UPDATE]](https://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/youtube_TV_main.jpg)
As promised back in December, the first quarter of this year has brought YouTube TV to the Roku platform. The service's app launched in the Roku Channel Store this morning, giving streaming stick, set-top-box, and smart TV owners the opportunity to watch YouTube's livestreaming TV service via their favorite media device. Support for Apple TV is schedule to arrive in coming weeks, too.
As expected, TCL has unveiled a bunch of new Roku-based products at CES 2018, not the least of which is the new TCL Roku Smart Soundbar that Roku recently teased in its own announcement. The new lineup includes refreshed Roku smart TVs for the 2018 year, including models that pack Dolby Vision HDR support and the new iPQ Engine. The TVs span two different series: the 6-Series and the 5-Series.
Roku has announced several big changes that underscore the company's own push into the smart home market. The company has officially unveiled Roku Entertainment Assistant, its own voice assistant for verbally controlling Roku OS devices. In addition, Roku has launched a new licensing program for "whole home entertainment" that will allow OEM brands to make smart home entertainment devices that work with Roku OS.
In the market for a smart TV? Philips has launched the first of what will eventually be a lineup of smart TVs running Roku's platform. This smart TV joins the Roku models available from RCA and TCL, giving buyers on a budget another choice in which television they get. The move puts more competition on Amazon, which itself is getting in on the smart TV market via the arrival of some Westinghouse models packing its Fire TV platform.
Roku has confirmed the acquisition of Dynastrom, a Danish multi-room audio startup that will continue to operate out of Denmark as a Roku subsidiary. In confirming the acquisition, Roku said the business move was a way to expand its own engineering team, but the talent grab comes amid a wider rumor: that Roku is planning to launch its own smart speaker to take on Echo, Google Home and more.
RCA previously announced new Roku TV models, but they hit their budget price point by eliminating a key coveted feature: 4K resolution. Now the company is back with new Roku TV models that do include Ultra HD, ensuring buyers can watch their favorite shows in the highest resolution offered. You will be paying more for this extra feature, though.
DirecTV has another free-device promotion for its over-the-Internet TV service DirecTV NOW, and it covers all four tiers of service, including the cheapest plan. Unlike the Apple TV promotion that was offered back in August, this latest one targets holiday shoppers and offers a Roku Streaming Stick for free. The catch? You've got to prepay two months of service upfront.
Plex's Live TV feature now supports Roku devices, enabling users to fast-forward, rewind and pause live television delivered over-the-air via an antenna. Plex announced the new support today, saying that the only exception to it is the current inability to schedule a DVR to record shows from the Roku. However, already existing DVR'd content from other devices can be watched on the platform.