Roku adds 14 FAST channels including BBC Kids

At a time of significant growth in the free ad-supported television (FAST) space, Roku has announced the addition of 14 linear channels available through its Live TV Guide.

The news comes after the company added local news to The Roku Channel for the first time with the launch of eight NBC Local news channels in June, with this latest announcement also adding NBC San Diego News, NBC Boston News and NBC San Francisco Bay Area News. A further news channel, LX News, which focuses on technology and the environment, also comes to The Roku Channel.

The full range of channels coming to The Roku Channel includes: BBC Kids; Bounce XL; Cheaters; Cine EstrellaTV; Court TV’ Grit Xtra; Ion; Ion Mystery; Ion Plus; NBC Boston News; LX News; NBC San Diego News; NBC San Francisco Bay Area News; and Roku Channel Westerns. 

While Roku continues to expand its FAST offering, the company is currently recovering from lower-than-expected Q2 2022 results. The company saw viewing hours decrease by 200 million, but added 1.8 million users to a total of 63.1 million active accounts. 

Roku also last week announced partnerships with three CTV makers to expand its footprint in Mexico.