The Roku Channel Expands Content Library with New Co-Productions and Original Series
As the second day of NewFronts continues, Roku has announced its latest move to target audiences who are fans of lifestyle, cooking, home renovation, and reality television. The company has entered into two new co-production deals with Marquee Brands and Milk Street Studios, which will bring a significant amount of original content to The Roku Channel.
New Co-Productions and Original Series
The new deals will give The Roku Channel seven original series starring food and lifestyle personalities Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, and Chris Kimball. These new shows include:
- Martha Cooks: A cooking show featuring Martha Stewart’s favorite recipes
- Martha Holidays (working title): A holiday-themed cooking show with Martha Stewart
- Martha Gardens: A gardening show featuring Martha Stewart’s expert advice
- Emeril Cooks: A cooking show starring Emeril Lagasse
- Emeril Tailgates: A tailgating show starring Emeril Lagasse
- Milk Street’s Cooking School: A cooking school series hosted by Chris Kimball
- Milk Street’s My Family Recipe: A family recipe show hosted by Chris Kimball
In addition to these new original series, The Roku Channel will also be adding over 3,000 episodes of library content from popular shows like:
- Martha Bakes
- Martha Stewart’s Cooking School
- Martha Stewart Living
- Essence of Emeril
- Emeril Live
These additions bring the total number of programs on The Roku Channel to over 73,000.
Roku’s Strategy for Growth
Rob Holmes, Vice President of Programming at Roku, said in a statement: "We are thrilled to bring our viewers this standout content from culinary and cultural powerhouses Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, and Chris Kimball — for free. The Roku Channel’s impressive reach, incredibly engaged user base, and successful monetization model continues to make it an attractive destination for content partners and established talent to elevate their programming and connect with streaming audiences at scale."
These new deals demonstrate Roku’s interest in providing high-quality, free content to its users and its commitment to driving subscriber growth. With the addition of these new shows and library content, The Roku Channel is positioning itself as a leading free ad-supported streaming TV service.
Additional Original Content
During the presentation, Roku also shared that it would be adding even more original content to The Roku Channel, including:
- Delicioso: A Spanish-language cooking series
- Honest Renovations: A home improvement show hosted by Lizzie Mathis and Jessica Alba
These new shows align with the audiences who love this type of content, according to Holmes. "Great dramas and comedies, amazing lifestyle shows, new reality and competition formats that are built for the streaming generation."
A Tempting Option for Binge-Watchers
In 2021, Nielsen reported that across platforms, reality was a top contender in streaming lists. With The Roku Channel’s focus on providing high-quality, free content to its users, it is positioning itself as a tempting option for binge-watchers who desire free content.
Roku’s Success Story
The Roku Channel has seen significant success since its launch, with 20.9 billion hours streamed in Q1 2022, up 14% from last quarter. These new deals demonstrate Roku’s commitment to providing value across the streaming ecosystem and its ability to drive growth through partnerships and original content.
A Leader in Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV
In a time where major competitors (like Netflix) fumble the ball with content, The Roku Channel is positioning itself as a leader in free ad-supported streaming TV. With its impressive reach, engaged user base, and successful monetization model, it continues to attract top talent and content partners.
By expanding its content library and adding new original series, The Roku Channel is solidifying its position as a leading streaming service for audiences who love lifestyle, cooking, home renovation, and reality television.
Conclusion
The Roku Channel’s latest move to expand its content library with new co-productions and original series demonstrates its commitment to providing high-quality, free content to its users. With over 73,000 programs available, it is positioning itself as a leading free ad-supported streaming TV service. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, The Roku Channel remains a leader in innovation and growth.
