Roku Goes International, Will Sell in U.K. and Canada
Set-top box maker Roku has announced that it will expand its reach and sell to consumers in the U.K. and Canada beginning in early 2012. To deliver to foreign locations, Roku will expand its open platform and allow for region-specific channels.
Content owners who want to stream to Roku boxes are advised to contact partners@roku.com. The platform allows for free, ad-supported, and subscription channels.
In Canada, Roku will be working with Synnex Canada Limited, a subsidiary of Synnex Corporation.
It might come as a surprise that Roku hasn't made this move already: Netflix has been expanding internationally, so why shouldn't the set-top box that many non-game console owners use to stream it?
Roku isn't divulging any specifics about the international boxes, including partner retailers, models, or pricing.
"This year has been one of many accomplishments for Roku in the U.S.," said Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood. "In July, we introduced Roku 2 which brings casual games to the TV, and last month we unveiled the $49.99 Roku LT. We've added casual games including Angry Birds and Pac-Man, as well as premiere channels including HBO GO. And now we're looking forward to kicking off 2012 by expanding to Europe and Canada and providing consumers abroad with the best in streaming entertainment -- a natural evolution for Roku."
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