FOX to buy Roku for $22 Biliion

[Clonehomer]

As Fox will undoubtedly screw this up, anyone looking at other options, Apple TV is far and above any others I’ve used (haven’t tried the Nvidia yet). The ability to seamlessly switch between apps without restarting them and waiting for them to log in is amazing when you have games on multiple streaming apps. Plus the load times for apps are significantly faster than the Google streamer and the screen is not full of ads for what they think you’ll want to watch next (based on what they’re paid to tell you you want to watch next).

I know they’re a bit pricier, but it’s well worth the money over the cheaper boxes.

 

[jcf817]

As Fox will undoubtedly screw this up, anyone looking at other options, Apple TV is far and above any others I’ve used (haven’t tried the Nvidia yet). The ability to seamlessly switch between apps without restarting them and waiting for them to log in is amazing when you have games on multiple streaming apps. Plus the load times for apps are significantly faster than the Google streamer and the screen is not full of ads for what they think you’ll want to watch next (based on what they’re paid to tell you you want to watch next).

I know they’re a bit pricier, but it’s well worth the money over the cheaper boxes.

I have had Apple TV since 2012, and I would never consider another streaming box.
They haven't done a full update in 5 years or so, so one would assume an update will be coming soon.

 

[NY Chicago Fan]

I have had one roku stick on old tv that was not used much for watching tv. Remote semed to eat batteries, always dead when went to use it. Replaced TV with better TV as kid now gaming on it, and is smart TV so not using roku anymore

Amazon sticks on main tv's (no cable) haven't had that problem, but after few years they seem to fail and need replacement.

 

[bos]

I have had Apple TV since 2012, and I would never consider another streaming box.
They haven't done a full update in 5 years or so, so one would assume an update will be coming soon.

Yeah, I have both in the house but AppleTV is just so much better. No Ads, interface is easier/smoother, and it doesnt crap out on me. My roku streambar within the last year freezes constantly and I have to restart it. I dont know what their updates have done to it, but woof.

 

[Clonedogg]

Piling on to others in the pro-Roku camp, I like having the same interface for all my TVs. As opposed to 3 different smart TV interface. Easier for the rest of the family too.

 

[jcf817]

Yeah, I have both in the house but AppleTV is just so much better. No Ads, interface is easier/smoother, and it doesnt crap out on me. My roku streambar within the last year freezes constantly and I have to restart it. I dont know what their updates have done to it, but woof.

To be honest, I wish non-smart TVs were more readily available. I mean...ALL the same technology as the high end Smart TVs without the extra stuff that I don't use because the Apple TV experience is so superior. Just let me buy a TV that can get software updates. Nothing else is necessary.

 

[Clonehomer]

To be honest, I wish non-smart TVs were more readily available. I mean...ALL the same technology as the high end Smart TVs without the extra stuff that I don't use because the Apple TV experience is so superior. Just let me buy a TV that can get software updates. Nothing else is necessary.

Agree. I want a 65” monitor. I don’t need built in ****** speakers, I don’t need software or antenna ports. I have separate boxes to handle all of that. I just want a screen that I’ll plug an hdmi into.

 

[FinalFourCy]

 

[cyclones122]

Piling on to others in the pro-Roku camp, I like having the same interface for all my TVs. As opposed to 3 different smart TV interface. Easier for the rest of the family too.

I am in this camp. We have them so that all of our TV's have the exact same setup. Roku interface is simple and easy to navigate. Hope Fox doesn't screw this up.

 

[Clonehomer]

Roku understands that they cannot compete with the tech behemoths of Google and Apple. With our current state of antitrust enforcement, Roku isn’t going to be able compete with the integration of the device and services provided by Google and Apple.

Where this does get interesting is whether Murdoch still has a friend in the White House to push antitrust investigations to break up the Google hardware and software advantage. That’s really the only chance that Roku has to get back their place in the marketplace.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Piling on to others in the pro-Roku camp, I like having the same interface for all my TVs. As opposed to 3 different smart TV interface. Easier for the rest of the family too.

That makes it really easy and we got one for my mother in law so that when she's trying to do something, we can talk her through it over the phone.

The tech and capabilities needed changes somewhat quickly, so it's great to be able to upgrade just that, and our Roku actually streams better than my PC does with some platforms (looking at you, YouTubeTV).

 

[AgronAlum]

We have 5 TVs and a projector and all but one run Roku. I absolutely can't stand having to use the FireTV on the garage TV.

The rest of them have Roku built in as the OS. I will say they just launched some changes in the home screen and phone remote and it's going in the wrong direction. A bunch more ad space and random shows/movies being pushed because they sold the space.

I also have a couple of them that will not play live TV on the AppleTV app. They just glitch out and forces a restart of the TV after a few second of watching.

 

[Bigman38]

We have 5 TVs and a projector and all but one run Roku. I absolutely can't stand having to use the FireTV on the garage TV.

The rest of them have Roku built in as the OS. I will say they just launched some changes in the home screen and phone remote and it's going in the wrong direction. A bunch more ad space and random shows/movies being pushed because they sold the space.

I also have a couple of them that will not play live TV on the AppleTV app. They just glitch out and forces a restart of the TV after a few second of watching.

That's my experience with my built in Google tv. Very slow because it has to load up a bunch of ads and terrible recommendations. It crashes often but at least I get an autoplaying trailer on the homescreen...

 

[Drew0311]

Question, Why would I need Roku if I have a smart TV? I honestly don't understand all this stuff. I used to have an apple box for my non smart TV. Bought a smart TV a few years ago and don't understand the need for Roku.

 

[houjix]

Question, Why would I need Roku if I have a smart TV? I honestly don't understand all this stuff. I used to have an apple box for my non smart TV. Bought a smart TV a few years ago and don't understand the need for Roku.

Some interfaces are slow and awful on some smart TVs. Also, some smart TVs stop getting updated over time. I cannot get some apps on my older LG TV even though it is still in great condition. Cheaper to get a Roku stick to get the apps I want vs buying a new TV.

 

[Clonehomer]

Question, Why would I need Roku if I have a smart TV? I honestly don't understand all this stuff. I used to have an apple box for my non smart TV. Bought a smart TV a few years ago and don't understand the need for Roku.

Because the power needs of streaming devices increases faster than your TV will last. Streaming apps are becoming more and more resource hungry and the built in memory and processors of the TV will get obsolete well before that screen fails.

 

[Clonefan94]

Question, Why would I need Roku if I have a smart TV? I honestly don't understand all this stuff. I used to have an apple box for my non smart TV. Bought a smart TV a few years ago and don't understand the need for Roku.

If you are happy with your smart TV and the apps it offers, then you don't need it. I have them because my oder TVs (over 10 years) are not smart TVs. The newer TVs I have, are "Smart" but still older than 5 years, don't have the Xfinity App I need to not pay for cable boxes. Also, I'm not to pleased with the "Smart" TVs I do have. They are a few years old Samsungs and I don't care for the interface and as others have said, they get bogged down trying to push ads all the time, instead of just starting up and putting me where I want to be.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Probably more relevant for the realignment thread:

“We also wonder how Fox could increase or decrease the visibility of NFL programming (or any sports programming it is licensing) across Roku’s tvOS as part of its complex negotiations with each league, creating an interesting new bargaining chip.””

Analysts: Fox-Roku deal will 'embolden' NFL to negotiate new TV deals this year

The analysts at LightShed Partners predict the Fox acquisition of Roku will "embolden" the NFL to negotiate new TV deals this year.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[BACyclone]

I got an old smart TV for free, but the 'smart' section allegedly wasn't operable. I found that the Roku stick was the cheapest available option and went that way for this TV. Put it up in the garage.

I'd went away from Roku and to Google Chromecast for the last few TVs because I had a couple Roku sticks just up and stop working after about a year or two. The Chromecast has been exceptionally reliable, but the latest versions are stupid expensive for what you get (and I'm not even getting the 4k version).

Roku interface is both straightforward and inexpensive and the setup is really quick and easy. I think I like the Chromecast interface better overall, but not enough to pay 2X as much for it.

I had a Fire stick way way way back when, and I'll never do that again.

 

[ackatch]

We have a Hisense TV with “AndroidTV” (it’s old) and it was a miserable experience using it on day 1. Our cheap-ish Roku also aged fairly quickly, so we splurged for an AppleTV and I’ve been very happy with it.

Yup - we got a hell of a deal a few years back on 42" Hisense TV's at Costco (they were $100, we bought 4 of them) - use a Roku on all of them because the built in software is horrendous.