Roku tries to revive Quibi shows as it sets May 20 debut for Roku Originals

Roku tries to revive Quibi shows as it sets May 20 debut for Roku Originals https://ift.tt/3wawQBX

Roku hopes its Quibi content will find success with a new name and platform.

What you need to know

• Roku Originals will debut on the streaming platform on May 20.
• Content will initially consist of former Quibi shows, but Roku announced that more would come later this year.
• Roku is also launching promotions on select streaming devices.

True to its word, Roku is providing more details about the new Roku Originals that it announced last month. The content, which kicks off with the help of rebranded Quibi shows, will be available on May 20 with a lineup of 30 "original" programs.

Roku states that it will bring more content later this year, but for now, viewers will be able to watch shows starring big names like Kevin Hart in "Die Hart" and Chrissy Teigen in "Chrissy's Court."

Sweta Patel, the Vice President of Engagement Growth Marketing at Roku highlighted how the new originals will provide "a free, advertising-supported model, while delivering an array of incredible, quality entertainment for our users to enjoy." And with the Roku Channel app, anyone will be able to watch the new shows from any of the best Android phones and some of the best streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick & TV Stick Lite, not just those by Roku.

The shows that will be available at launch include the following:

• "#FreeRayshawn"
• "About Face"
• "Bad Ideas with Adam Devine"
• "Barkitechture"
• "Big Rad Wolf"
• "Blackballed"
• "Centerpiece"
• "Chrissy's Court"
• "Cup of Joe"
• "Die Hart"
• "Dishmantled"
• "Dummy"
• "Fight Like a Girl"
• "Flipped"
• "The Fugitive"
• "Gayme Show"
• "Iron Sharpens Iron"
• "Last Looks"
• "Let's Roll with Tony Greenhand"
• "Most Dangerous Game"
• "Murder House Flip"
• "Murder Unboxed"
• "Nightgowns"
• "Prodigy"
• "Punk'd"
• "Reno 911!"
• "Royalties
• "Shape of Pasta"
• "Thanks a Million"
• "You Ain't Got These"

Earlier this year, Roku announced that it purchased the rights to Quibi's content after the streaming platform suffered a rather quick death. Roku then announced that it planned to make the content available at some point this year while rumors swirled that the company was hiring its own production team to produce its own content.

Despite Quibi's failure, Roku seems to believe that it will have success given that 70 million people have access to the Roku Channels and there is no subscription fee to access the content. Roku says that the shows will retain their short-form format, but it's unclear how future programs will be formatted.

As far as ads go, Roku told Android Central that short ad breaks between each episode will last for less than a minute.

In addition to its new Originals, the company is also offering discounts on some of its best Roku devices like the Roku Streaming Stick+ and Roku Streambar, although the offers may differ upon the region.

The Roku Channel is currently available in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

Best value streaming

Roku Streaming Stick+

$40 at Amazon $40 at Best Buy

4K HDR from a stick

The Roku Streaming Stick+ is one of the best value streaming devices available. You can have access to Roku's vast channel store and stream 4K HDR content from a supported TV for a low price. It'll be one of the best ways to watch the new Roku Originals when they debut on May 20.