Advanced Television

Hisense Roku TVs now in UK

November 22, 2019

By Colin Mann

TV set manufacturer Hisense and streaming platform and device specialist Roku have confirmed that starting week commencing November 25th, Hisense Roku TV models will be available in the UK. Recently announced at IFA 2019, these smart TVs are powered by the Roku OS, offering consumers a premium TV experience at what the pair say is an affordable price. Hisense Roku TV models offer consumers a customisable home screen, thousands of streaming channels and advanced features like universal search and private listening.

Hisense, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, plans to release the first Hisense Roku TV models for the UK market on Black Friday (November 29th) at discount retailer Argos. Hisense Roku TV models will be available in 43”, 50”, 55” and 65” screen sizes, enabling consumers to enjoy their favourite TV entertainment in HD, 4K and 4K HDR.

From the Roku Channel Store consumers can pick and choose from 5000+ streaming channels including popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and NOW TV. Hisense Roku TVs also include Freeview Play, bringing live TV and on demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5.

Roku TV models can be controlled with a simple and intuitive remote control or through the free Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android devices. The mobile app also enables consumers to cast photos and videos to their Roku TV, use voice search and connect headphones for private listening.

“We are incredibly proud to launch the first Roku TV models in the UK,” declared Arun Bhatoye, Senior Marketing Manager at Hisense. “These new 4K TVs offer stellar picture quality, endless entertainment and an affordable price. We are now just days away from the UK’s first Roku TV models to hit the stands; it’s a very exciting time.”

“We are thrilled to launch Roku TV in Europe, starting with the UK,” added Bart Bomers, VP EMEA at Roku. “Roku TV models have been incredibly popular in the US for years. Roku TV models simply offer a fantastic smart TV experience, are simple to use, packed with entertainment“ and deliver exceptional value.”

“This is a partnership made in heaven, commented Paolo Pescatore, TMT Analyst at PP Foresight. “Hisense do great looking hardware while Roku bring these TV to life with a great range of content. These TVs are packed with sought-after features at a jaw-dropping price. Access to a wide range of content from a simple user interface will strongly resonate with consumers. Viewers are starting to get frustrated as to where and how to watch their favourite TV shows. They no longer want another TV set-top-box or download another app.”

“The biggest challenges will be standing out in a crowded market. More so as these TVs will only be available at Argos for now. Both companies need to be available in more retailers like John Lewis as they’ve done in the US.”

“Consumers can expect an excellent Smart TV from Roku as it launches into Europe,” suggested Piers Moore, Global Home Insight Director at Kantar. “Historically Roku’s OS has excellent consumer feedback as it combines all a TV watcher’s apps in one place with quick load times and a great interface. In the US, it has partnered with lots of different brands, but the partnership with Hisense in the UK could be perfect. Hisense TV is more popular with under 35s, and the way a Hisense TV owner views content tends to be vastly different. Thirty-eight per cent of Hisense TV owners watched TV through an app which is fifteen per cent higher than the market average, and fifteen per cent streamed 4K through an app on their TV – double the market average, making this an interesting and logical partnership.”

Categories: Articles, Connected TV, Equipment, OTT, OTT, UHD, Ultra-HD/4K