Roku Joins Google TV: Here's What That Means for Your Streaming Experience

I recently added the Roku Channel to my Google TV streamer, but soon, you won’t have to add the channel separately; the content will just be there for you to find.

In a blog post on the Roku website on Monday, the company announced that the Roku Channel will be available as part of Google TV “in the coming weeks.” What this means for you is more free content for streaming through Google TV, and it will be a whole lot easier to find.

Since adding the Roku channel to my Google TV streaming devices, I’ve watched tons of free shows and movies. But to do it, I have to go into the Roku app and then find what I’m looking for. That’s all about to change.

With the addition of the Roku Channel to Google TV, you’ll have content from Roku on your suggested list, the channels available will be easier to browse, and Roku content will be shown when you use Search in Google TV. Think that’s not such a big deal? Think again. Adding Roku to Google TV means you get an additional 80,000 free movies and TV shows that might not be available in other services.

It also means you’ll get an additional 500 FAST channels in Google TV’s “live” tab. And you can access Roku content directly from the Google TV home screen. I’m excited to no longer have to go into the app to get the content I want to see.

The exact go-live date for Roku content appearing in your Google TV home was a little confusing in the announcement Roku put out because it initially says “in the coming weeks” but later says these features are “coming today.” I vote for today. Either way, let’s hope these changes are available in time for the holiday moving streaming we’re all going to be doing for the next few weeks.