Hi, everyone !!
If you happen to follow the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels to this blog, then you will already be aware that the single most significant piece of Roku-related news (from a UK perspective) was the revelation that, after more than a five year absence, access to the Roku Web Channel Store has finally been restored... meaning that those with UK Roku devices can once again browse and add new channels online, as well as via the built-in channel store on their devices, just like Roku owners in the United States. Here is a screenshot of the Roku UK Web Channel Store that I shared via social media when passing-on the news which had originally been brought to my attention by an UK Roku user named Trevor Litchfield [Twitter Feed: @SundownerUK] - for which I'm extremely grateful! :-)
Of course... the wider ramifications of this, in terms of my 'Weekly RoundUp' posts on this blog, are that all links to channel descriptions from the web store on Roku's website (past, present, and future) that are featured below (and to the left of) each channel icon shown in these listings can now be used by those of us in the United Kingdom, as opposed to being an exclusive privilege of U.S. Roku users. Better still, further investigations (on my part) have proven that similar past restrictions applying to Roku owners in "other" supported countries and/or regions have also been lifted. This means that all Roku users can now access the Roku Web Channel Store, irrespective of their location on the planet. Likewise, all Roku users who visit this blog can now use the links provided in my 'Weekly RoundUp' posts to access both channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store and any corresponding 'Roku Guide' review(s) for an independent appraisal of the same (where available) which is great for everyone who wishes to find out more information as to the channels available on this platform! ;-) :-)
Anyway, with no other major Roku-related (or Roku-specific) news to share with you this week, I'm now going to turn my attention to bringing you details for all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which were released during the seven days since my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post was published! :-)
Firstly, though, I'd just like to mention (on a not entirely un-related note) that I have now added links to most (though, still not all) of the 'Roku Guide' reviews that were previously "missing" for many of the new Roku channels released in the last few weeks... so, if you'd like to see an independent appraisal of those, be sure to check-out my post from last week (see link above), which (itself) contains a link to the previous week's post (and so-on, and so-forth), for details of where to find them. Unfortunately, there are more "missing" links to 'Roku Guide' reviews to over forty-five per cent of the channels published during the last seven days... which means, much like other posts in recent months, I'm (once again) going to have to leave it for each of you (individually) to access those details. Of course, from this week onwards, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s) or by following the links provided in each post to the relevant channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store. Meanwhile, once the "missing" reviews have been published by 'Roku Guide', I will (as I have done previously) ensure that I add the relevant links to each post. Apologies (yet again) for any inconvenience that may have been caused by the absence of active links to an independent review for so many of these new apps but, like I say, it was entirely out of my hands. Hopefully they will catch-up on any they missed sometime in the coming week!?! ;-) :-)
Still, back to the list... which, as always, will help you to identify the very latest apps that have been added to Roku devices in the UK. Other websites offering Roku channel listings will base their contents on the Roku USA Channel Store, which means they also include apps that are unavailable to UK Roku users. So, like I've said before... if you really want to know what's available channel-wise, for owners of Roku devices in the UK, you need to be reading this blog each and every week! ;-) :-)
With twice the number of active links to check out, not just for this week... but each and every post that has been previously published as part of my 'Weekly RoundUp' series over the last five years, there's a *lot* of reading to catch-up on. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all new Roku channels released between 4th February 2018 and 10th February 2018:-
TABLET STREAM...................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That 'Tablet Stream' will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is that it was originally published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store back on 10th November 2017. So, to install it, you will have to look under "Film & TV" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "Tablet Stream" and you will soon see it among the results on the right of your screen! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Now that Roku users in all supported countries and/or regions have been granted access to the Roku Web Channel Store, you have the additional option of clicking the link I provided above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to be redirected to the relevant page whereon you can just click on the blue button, marked '+ Add channel', and sign-in to your Roku account (if needed) to get this 'Tablet Stream' channel added to the list of installed channels on your Roku device(s). If you do not see it in your list of channels, go to: Settings > System > System update > Check now which will "force" your device to look for (and install) any recently added channels. After that, you'll find it at the end of your installed channels list by pressing: Home (x2) > Right (x1) > Up (x1) on your remote.
BOXCAST................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That this 'BoxCast' channel will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is that it was originally published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store back in May 2016. So, to install it, you'll have to look under "Film & TV" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "BoxCast" and you will soon see it listed among the results on the right of your screen! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Now that Roku users in all supported countries and/or regions have been granted access to the Roku Web Channel Store, you have the additional option of clicking the link I provided above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to be redirected to the relevant page whereon you can just click on the blue button, marked '+ Add channel', and sign-in to your Roku account (if needed) to get this 'BoxCast' channel added to the list of installed channels on your Roku device(s). If you do not see it in your list of channels, go to: Settings > System > System update > Check now which will "force" your device to look for (and install) any recently added channels. After that, you'll find it at the end of your installed channels list by pressing: Home (x2) > Right (x1) > Up (x1) on your remote.
PBN RADIO............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That this 'PBN Radio' channel will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is that it was originally published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store back in September 2014. So, to install it, you'll have to look under "Religious" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "PBN Radio" and you will soon see it among the results on the right of your screen! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Now that Roku users in all supported countries and/or regions have been granted access to the Roku Web Channel Store, you have the additional option of clicking the link I provided above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to be redirected to the relevant page whereon you can just click on the blue button, marked '+ Add channel', and sign-in to your Roku account (if needed) to get this 'PBN Radio' channel added to the list of installed channels on your Roku device(s). If you do not see it in your list of channels, go to: Settings > System > System update > Check now which will "force" your device to look for (and install) any recently added channels. After that, you'll find it at the end of your installed channels list by pressing: Home (x2) > Right (x1) > Up (x1) on your remote.
NASHUA COMMUNITY TELEVISION...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That 'Nashua Community Television' will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is that it was originally published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store back in August 2014. So, to install it, you'll have to look under "Educational" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "Nashua"... and you will soon see it among the results on the right of your screen! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Now that Roku users in all supported countries and/or regions have been granted access to the Roku Web Channel Store, you have the additional option of clicking the link I provided above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to be redirected to the relevant page whereon you can just click on the blue button, marked '+ Add channel', and sign-in to your Roku account (if needed) to get 'Nashua Community Television' added to the list of installed channels on your Roku device(s). If you don't see it in the list of channels, go to: Settings > System > System update > Check now which will "force" your device to look for (and install) any recently added channels. After that, you'll find it at the end of your installed channels list by pressing: Home (x2) > Right (x1) > Up (x1) on your remote.
OASIS CHURCH NASHVILLE..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That 'Oasis Church Nashville' will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is that it was originally published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store back in March 2013. So, to install it, you'll have to look under "Religious" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "Oasis Church"... and you will soon see it among the results on the right of your screen! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Now that Roku users in all supported countries and/or regions have been granted access to the Roku Web Channel Store, you have the additional option of clicking the link I provided above (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to be redirected to the relevant page whereon you can just click on the blue button, marked '+ Add channel', and sign-in to your Roku account (if needed) to get 'Oasis Church Nashville' added to the list of installed channels on your Roku device(s). If you do not see it in your list of channels, go to: Settings > System > System update > Check now which will "force" your device to look for (and install) any recently added channels. After that, you'll find it at the end of your installed channels list by pressing: Home (x2) > Right (x1) > Up (x1) on your remote.
J1 RADIO.............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That this 'J1 Radio' channel will not be found among the latest additions in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. The reason for this is unclear, since it has only just been published via the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store. So, to install it, you'll have to look under "Music" because (despite being a new app in the UK) this channel cannot be found in the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store. Of course, you could also use the built-in Roku 'Search' feature on your device(s) to find and install this channel... simply type in "J1 Radio"... and you will soon see it among the results on the right of your screen. Likewise, as with any channel in these 'Weekly RoundUp' listings, you also have the option to install it by following the above link (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) to the Roku Web Channel Store! ;-) :-)
ALSO:- Despite being listed among the latest additions to the "New" category (i.e. genre) of the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store, there is (currently) no active link to any 'Roku Guide' review of this 'J1 Radio' channel. So for anyone with an interest in Japanese popular and/or traditional music, who would like to know more about what 'J1 Radio' has to offer, I recommend that you first read the channel description from the Roku Web Channel Store by following the above link (below, and to the left of, the channel icon) and then, since it is both FREE-TO-ADD and FREE-TO-STREAM on your Roku device, I would install the channel and see for yourself whether the various audio feeds offered by this long-running internet radio station match your expectations. One thing I will add, about which no mention is made in the channel description, is that the "content" provided by 'J1 Radio' includes a scrollable (text-only) listing of the current 'Top 40' songs in Japan, based on radio play (not sales) that can be useful when browsing for this type of music elsewhere (e.g. Deezer, Spotify, etc.) as well as to inform you that the "three audio channels" available, within this 'J1 Radio' channel, for your listening pleasure are: 'J1 HITS' (Japan's hottest hits); 'J1 XTRA' (Japan's greatest hits of all time); 'J1 GOLD' (legendary Japanese music from the 70's, 60's and before). However, there is also a fourth audio feed, featuring 'A-CHAN' (J1 Radio's anime channel) for those who enjoy anime soundtrack music. Further information is available via the official website of 'J1 Radio' and, if you have any further questions and/or comments about their Roku channel, you can always reach out to them through social media. To wit, they have multiple Twitter Feeds: @J1radio / @J1Xtra / @J1_gold / @j1_staff in addition to an official FB Page: J1 Radio (Facebook) any/all of which can be used to connect with them... and where I am sure they will be only too pleased to hear from you! ;-) :-)
PINGO....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
LIBRARY............................................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
TRAPOSO TV...........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
MARBLE BLAST FREE.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
DOTS AND BOXES.......................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "GAMES" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, since this paid (monthly subscription) version of "Dots and Boxes" is not (currently) available on Roku devices in the USA... the channel description, for which I provided a link above, pertains to the subscription version of the game found on UK Roku devices and *not* to the free (ad-supported) version that was published via the online Roku (USA) Web Channel Store - called "Dots and Boxes Free" - as can be played by Roku users in the United States. The reason we, in the UK, must purchase a monthly subscription to play this game is that the ads used to support the free version in the U.S. are considered (by the developer) to be of little or no relevance for the UK market. As such, if it helps, you can consider the UK channel to be an ad-free (premium) version which can be played without any interruptions due to adverts! ;-)
ALSO:- For similar reasons, there is no 'Roku Guide' review of the paid version and (therefore) the link provided (above) is for the 'Roku Guide' review of "Dots and Boxes Free"... in other words, *not* the "Dots and Boxes" (paid version) found on Roku devices in the UK. The reason why I've included this link is that the game (itself) remains the same, whether it's the free (ad-sponsored) or the paid (ad-free) alternative and therefore the information provided, within the 'Roku Guide' review, about how to play the game (as well as any screenshots provided therein) are equally of relevance to Roku UK users as they are for those with Roku devices in the USA. Just be aware that any mention of the game being "free" and/or "ad-sponsored" (in the 'Roku Guide' review) are in reference to the version found on Roku devices in USA but, aside from that, it's the same for the paid (UK) app! :-)
CDN37.................................................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "NEWS & WEATHER" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
myDUBO................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JAPAN SCREENSAVER....................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
VILAXMEDIA......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
BETTY BOOP OFFICIAL........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SHAHLA TV..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CHURCH SERVICES TV........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ORACLE TV CHANNEL.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
DBN TV...................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
NOW YOU KNOW - EDUCATIONAL TV............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
FROM THE OTHER SIDE......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
BREAD OF LIFE TV..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
ENCHANTED TALES.............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
TELE UP 2.0..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
KIDS IN THE HOUSE..............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
COOK MIX MINGLE..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TROLLSTATION......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "COMEDY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
KALEIDOSCOPE EYE.............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
ZOO EXPLORATION TV..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
DANNIE RIEL..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "PERSONAL MEDIA" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
CULT TV A-GO-GO!......................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
DOMINICANA TV................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CATS 'N' DOGS..................................................COST: £0.69 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
MOUNTAIN CHAPEL MUSIC..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
POKE - GAMEPLAY ADVENTURES....................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
BEER SCREENSAVER......................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***