Roku plans 4K TV support, details new TV models

Roku is due to add 4K Ultra HD streaming support for future models of Roku TVs, and has announced new manufacturing deals with TV makers Insignia and Haier America.

Announcing the news at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the streaming media specialist said it has prepared a Roku TV reference design for 4K smart TVs that it will licence to electronics manufacturer partners.

TCL, which first launched TV models powered by Roku’s platform last year, will be an initial 4K TV model partner, while Netflix will be among the first firms to provide 4K content on the Roku platform.

“With the maturation of 4K, including the dramatic price reductions of 4K TVs, the growing amount of 4K content available for streaming and the increased consumer awareness of the benefits of 4K, the time is right for Roku to offer Roku TV 4K solutions to the global TV OEMs,” said Roku CEO Anthony Wood.

“We are very bullish on 4K as we believe that streaming will be instrumental in its adoption. Bringing 4K to the Roku platform will give consumers even more choice and control of their entertainment viewing, and deliver the best streaming experience available.”

At the same time, Roku announced that from this spring US consumers will be able to buy Roku TV models made by Insignia, with these to be available exclusively from retailer Best Buy.

Haier Roku TV models will be available from the third quarter of 2015 and will be available in sizes ranging from 32 inches to 65 inches.

Roku sells web streaming set-top boxes and TV dongles in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland, and last year last year launched its first co-branded Roku TV models after licencing its reference design and operating system to TV manufacturers.