Roku adds Flickr, Facebook, Pandora, and more video channels

The new Roku Channel Store now has 13 free content channels.

(Credit: Roku)

Aiming to expand beyond movies and baseball, set-top box maker Roku is adding 10 new content channels ranging from social networking to music and podcasts.

Roku, which makes a small, wireless device that can stream content from the Web direct to any TV screen, is expanding from 3 channels to 13, as expected. Channels for Blip.tv, Facebook Photos, Flickr, FrameChannel, Mediafly, MobileTribe, Motionbox, Pandora, Revision3, and TWiT will join the current lineup of Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and, more recently, MLB.TV. All of them will be available in the newly christened Roku Channel Store.

Similar to the app stores currently popular among mobile platform providers, Roku users can choose what apps they want on their home screen of their Roku via the Channel Store. Content is sortable by "new," "most popular," and "top-rated." But unlike most app stores, these are all free. Access to the Channel Store and the new content will be rolled out automatically to existing Roku box owners over the next two weeks. New customers will need to sign up for a free Roku account to be able to download and manage their chosen channels.

Roku representatives say that 13 channels in the store is just a start and that there will be a steady stream of new channels showing up between now and the Consumer Electronics Show in January. While this is a good start to compete with the growing wave of Web-connected home gadgetry (HDTVs, Xbox, PS3, Blu-ray players, TiVo, and more), the sweet spot for Roku would be a Hulu channel or even dedicated content channels from cable and broadcast networks. Until then, the main selling point of Roku over those other devices is its price: of the three models, the lowest starts at $80, significantly cheaper than a new TV or Xbox, and all but the most baseline model Blu-ray players.

Be sure to check back later this week for CNET's official review.

[reinierjohnbb]

reinier

[paul613]

Even if YouTube is added, Google has announced that YouTube's 1080p videos won't be able to stream to a TV.

[BCF1968]

They will if you hook your PC up to a TV. Which is why what Google is doing is stupid. If peole want to watch Youtube and HUlu ona TV they WILL do it. So guy quit screwing people around.

[tdaloisio]

CNET TV Channel in the works? The 404 on the 42 inch screen anyone?

[jpfalcone]

The Mediafly channel gives you access to all CNET audio/video podcasts.

[jbeaul]

I bought my Roku box to watch Netflix movies and anything else it can do is simply gravy. I'm looking forward to accessing my Flickr and Facebook media so easily now. But they're not on my box yet... patience... patience...

[Macajuel]

My sentiments exactly, Netflix was the only thing I really needed this box for but all the new additions are just icing on what already has been, and continues to be a very tasty cake.

[jesiop1]

I really wish they would add Hulu! i dont think i would watch any of the ones they added.

[farnam4]

Looking at possibly getting one of these for Christmas! A friend of mine currently has the Roku box and really likes it, and that's before these new additions.

[SpeekEazy]

Mann u enable tversity streaming and you got a deal

[johnseanconn]

I don't get people who buy boxes like this. Just connect your computer to your television and you have access to all of these services and much more for zero extra cost. No need to buy an extra box. I connected an older four year old computer to my HDTV and it looks sweet!

[dodgingcars]

My computer also plays DVDs, but I still own a DVD player. There' s no easy way for me to hookup my computer to my TV (space) and even if I used my old spare comptuer, I don't want a big, loud, ugly PC next to my TV that my 2-year old can attack. <br /><br />a $100 (or $80) Roku is much better option for my household.

[grysl]

For the same reason that people own DVD players or stereo systems or anything else that computers can do -- sometimes it's nice to have appliance-level convenience for frequently accessed functions. If the price is right (the Roku is pretty cheap for all it offers), then bring it on.

[dwoodin]

I cant wait to get home from work and try this out. Only 5 hours to go.

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