Roku plays more Quibi shows
August 9, 2021
Roku is releasing 23 more shows originally made for Quibi, the failed for-mobile short-video outfit whose inventory it bought.
The first batch of 30 Quibi shows, released in May, Roku says doubled the time users spent streaming the Roku Channel in the second quarter. In January, Roku bought the rights to 75 programmes from Quibi Holdings.
Roku is using original programming to drive viewers to The Roku Channel, a free ad-supported outlet. Launched four years ago, The Roku Channel has thousands of free movies and dozens of live feeds.
Like other streaming services, The Roku Channel will try to counter a potential slowdown in streaming as people get vaccinated and go outside more. Roku said last week that streaming hours for apps on its platform fell 5 per cent in the second quarter from the first quarter.