Roku Streaming Stick (2025) quick review

One of the biggest names in streaming hardware is Californian company Roku, which sets itself apart not by offering its own streaming service, but by releasing products at a really competitive price point.

That's certainly true of the Roku Streaming Stick, a new release for 2025 (which the name wouldn't give away) which comes as the most affordable streaming stick in the company's portfolio. It's designed for people who want an affordable and easy-to-use dongle that doesn't feel like a major investment.

Its price and feature set puts the Roku Streaming Stick as a major rival to the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, from Roku's big rival, and there's more about the stick that makes this a tempting option for cost-savers. Take, for example, The Roku Channel, a free streaming service available to users of devices like the Streaming Stick. This has a library of free movies and TV shows for you to stream, and there are plenty of other free streaming services available using the dongle.

Not only is it cheap, but the Roku Streaming Stick is easy to set up and use, having a non-frills setup process, letting you control your entire TV with its remote and maintaining a clean interface that doesn't bombard you with commercials or suggestions. If you're a technophobe then you'll appreciate the way it works.

But you won't like the Roku Streaming Service if you're looking for something advanced. It doesn't support 4K video streaming which will rule it out as an option for many prospective buyers, and it also misses on some top-end features that other Rokus and Fire TV sticks offer.

I also found it a little slow to use and navigate with, having often to press directional arrows multiple times before the input was registered. That's par for the course for cheap gadgetry like this though so you can't be too surprised.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) price information

The Roku Streaming Stick was announced in May 2025 and was released then in the US, while UK buyers had to wait until June to pick it up.

You have to pay $29.99 / £29.99 for the device which makes it basically the cheapest streaming stick you can buy (discounting cheapie knock-offs you'll find online).

Bear in mind that this up-front cost doesn't include any monthly fees you pay for the best streaming services, so you could end up paying more, although there are various free streaming services available too.

Amazon's rival Fire TV Stick HD costs $5 / £10 more while the more premium Roku Streaming Stick Plus is $10 / £10 more.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) set-up

It's pretty simple to set up the Roku Streaming Stick. You'll just need a TV, projector or monitor with an HDMI slot and USB port free, as well as Wi-Fi you can use.

It's a very easy process which involves following on-screen instructions, and took me at most ten minutes. I've written an entire guide on how to set up a Roku player which might help you.

A Roku account is required and you can create this ahead of time or during the set-up process.

Once you've set up the streaming stick itself you'll need to set up any individual app you want to use, a process which takes about a minute per app if you use your phone with the app already logged in, or longer if you sign in manually.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) day-to-day use

Like other devices from the company, the Roku Streaming Stick uses Roku OS as its operating system, made by the company.

Immediately looking at the software, you can see that it's quite barebones and simple. Some might consider it unappealing, but I personally liked how clean and restricted it was, compared to Amazon's equivalent which bombards you with commercials and trailers for shows you could watch.

As you can see in the picture above, the right of the menu offers you a list of the apps you have available. Lots of these come pre-installed, and others can be added via the Streaming Store on the left.

The Streaming Store has a fair selection of apps and extras, all the expected faces (which vary by your region, of course). I found it pretty quick to download new platforms but it'll depend on your region.

One thing to note is that the Roku Streaming Stick can be a little slow to navigate, sometimes stuttering or jumping around. It wasn't more pronounced than on other budget devices I've used in the past, both streaming sticks and phones, tablets and wearables, but it's something to note if you like a quick clean use process.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) remote

The Roku Voice Remote comes included in the box with the Roku Streaming Stick. This takes two AAA batteries and your first two are pre-installed in the remote.

It's not a huge remote, noticeably smaller than Amazon's equivalent or your average TV remote, and it's got some quirky differences to those examples too.

I'm talking here about the fact that the volume and mute buttons are on the right edge of the remote. This position makes it easily-reachable with your thumb (if you're holding it in your right hand) or fingers (if in the left hand) so I can see the thinking, however I actually found this positioning made it harder to change volume when the remote was down on a surface. On another remote you can press the volume buttons without picking up the remote but doing so here means you just push the remote sideways instead of pressing the button.

On the front of the remote you've got the power button, home button and back button below, the latter two used for navigating the Roku software, and below that is a directional button for the same.

At the bottom of the remote are four app shortcut buttons, which are standard in streaming remotes, and between them are a few more expected buttons: play/pause, forward and backwards and options. There's also a button to bring up the voice controls, which is always useful, and an Instant replay button which does what you'd expect.

On most TVs, the Roku Voice Remote also lets you control the set itself, so the power button will turn on the TV and volume buttons will change the volume. In theory you can ditch your TV's main set, but that's only true if you don't need any of your TVs other features like changing HDMI input to a games console, for example, or display features.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) video and audio quality

The Roku Streaming Stick can output video at 1080p or Full HD, which is the definition that most streaming services offer on their basic tiers. HD TVs used to be the most commonly-used sets until recently so if you have a 4K TV then you won't make the most of that high resolution here.

The dongle also upscales footage from 720p to 1080p, which can be useful for older movies or YouTube videos, for example.

Unlike on Roku's more expensive streaming sticks, this model doesn't offer any Dolby feature like Atmos or Audio, so you'll miss these surround-sound features.

But that's replaced with a unique feature which worked quite well: the software will automatically reduce the volume of commercials to bring them in line with the video you're watching. In a world where most streaming services have ads in their default tiers, this is really useful, and I barely noticed it which is a testament to how useful it actually was.

Is the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) worth buying?

I'd recommend buying the Roku Streaming Stick if you're not constantly glued to your TV. It's not for people who want high-res video, who spend lots of money on streaming services, for those with fancy TV sets.

Instead it's for people who want something easy to use and affordable for the brief times they do use their TV. Technophobes, people who want streaming services without buying a smart TV, those on a budget.

Competition

• The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is what you should buy if you like the sound of the Roku Streaming Stick, but want to watch your video in 4K instead of FHD.
• The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is Amazon's equivalent to the Streaming Stick. It has the same resolution and costs a little bit more but offers better integration with other services.
• The Roku Express is the device that the Streaming Stick replaces. Its feature set is similar but since it's older, you might be able to find it at a discount now.
• The Google Chromecast is another streaming stick with the same resolution as the Roku. It's a little pricier than the Streaming Stick and is much more dependent on your smartphone or tablet for controls with a very barebones remote.

More on Roku streaming sticks

• What you need to know about The Roku Channel
• Roku Express vs Amazon Fire TV Stick HD
• How to watch The Roku Channel on Roku

How I tested the Roku Streaming Stick

I reviewed the Roku Streaming Stick using a Toshiba TV, outputting at 1080p resolution, matching the stick's. You can see it in some of the pictures. The stick was reviewed at the same time as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which released at the same time.

I tested on a variety of apps used include Roku Channel, Netflix, Prime Video, Plex and Apple TV Plus.

Most of the set-up process was done using my smartphone, but I tended to use the remote instead of my phone for navigation and using the stick.

Entertainment tech company Roku has updated its portfolio of streaming sticks with its new additions for 2025, which equal two new dongles that upgrade your TV set into a smart TV.

Meet the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus — yes, very literal names — which are the company's new rivals to the best Amazon Fire TV Sticks that come at affordable prices yet with some useful features.

• Check out our Roku Streaming Stick review

The Roku Streaming Stick and its sibling bring some upgrades to their predecessors and a range of features at an affordable price, making them a tempting option when they come out later in the year.

Curious? Here's everything you need to know about the Roku Streaming Stick & Streaming Stick Plus.

Roku Streaming Stick specs at a glance

Roku Streaming Stick price

• Streaming Stick: $29.99 / £29.99
• Streaming Stick Plus: $39.99 / £39.99

The Roku Streaming Stick will set you back $29.99 / £29.99, which really isn't that much compared to rivals. And you only have to pay $10 or £10 more for the Streaming Stick Plus, which goes for $39.99 / £39.99.

For context the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD sells for $34.99 / £39.99 while the Fire TV Stick 4K goes for $49.99 / £59.99 so Roku undercuts the competition in a big way.

Roku Streaming Stick release date

• Out Tuesday, May 6 in US
• Pre-orders open now
• Out June in UK

If you live in the US, you can pre-order the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus right now. They're due to be shipped on Tuesday, May 6, which is also the date that they'll go on sale widely.

In the UK, the streaming sticks are due to be released some time in June, and we'll update you when we get an exact date.

Roku Streaming Stick video features

• Streaming Stick: 1080p video
• Streaming Stick Plus: 4K video

The key difference between the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus is in the video output that both supprots.

The Roku Streaming Stick can output video at 1080p or Full HD, which is the definition that most streaming services offer on their basic tiers. HD TVs used to be the most commonly-used sets until recently.

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus outputs its video at 4K, or Ultra HD. This is a resolution which many streaming services offer in their higher-tier packages, though some do in their standard ones. Nowadays, most TVs you'll see on sale are 4K ones.

You can also watch content in HDR on supported devices with the Plus streaming stick.

Roku Streaming Stick audio features

• Commercial-quieting feature
• No Dolby support

The headline audio feature of the Roku Streaming Sticks is that they automatically reduce the volume on loud commercials. Given how loud some adverts can be, and how frequently you see advertising on TVs (especially streaming services), this is a really useful feature.

However audio fans might miss the lack of support for Dolby features, like Dolby Atmos or Dolby Audio. These are features Roku only offers in its top-tier devices (and not even on its soundbar) unlike Amazon which offers them widely.

Roku Streaming Stick software

• All major streaming apps supported
• Plenty of live channels
• Includes free The Roku Channel

Like Roku's other streaming devices, the Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus both use the company's home-brewed software: Roku OS.

This offers all the streaming services you'd want like Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and plenty more. It also lets you get access to its own free streaming service called The Roku Channel which is a big reason you might pick a Roku device over a rival one.

Roku OS also lets you watch live channels (the exact line-up will depend on your region) and sports (again, depending on where you live).

If you have a smart home consisting of other Roku products, you can also use Roku OS to see what's happening on your smart doorbell, and another useful feature is the ability to use your phone as a remote.

Roku Streaming Stick remote

• Unchanged remote from past Rokus
• Several useful buttons

Roku is offering the Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus with the same remote that its last few streaming sticks have used, so don't expect anything new.

This remote has a few useful features. These include voice controls, quick buttons to open four different apps (the exact apps depend on region) and an instant replay button.

You power the remote with two AAA batteries.

When it comes to buying a new streaming stick, affordability is the name of the game — otherwise, everyone would buy a new TV all the time instead of a streaming stick — and Roku is shaping up to be win in this department thanks to its new device.

The company has just announced the Roku Streaming Stick, a new dongle which is set to go on sale soon, alongside a Streaming Stick Plus as two new streaming devices from Roku.

The basic Roku Streaming Stick is a competitor for the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, offering HD streaming with similar specs. However the new model is cheaper, set to cost $29.99 / £29.99, while Amazon's equivalent sells for $34.99 / £39.99 — that's 25% cheaper in the UK, and $5 in the US.

The new Roku Streaming Stick has a few useful features like voice controls via the remote and upgrades to its WiFi support, but what's sure to be the best upgrade is the size of the stick. Roku says it's 35% smaller than equivalents from rival companies (I wonder who it's talking about...) and it really tells from images — it looks like it could be a simple USB stick that you plug into your TV!

A size decrease means that this dongle will more easily fit into your home theater set-up, especially for people whose TVs already have lots of cables (I always have to juggle the wires for my PlayStation and streaming device, which I imagine won't be an issue for the new Roku). Roku's last entry-level streaming device, the Roku Express, wasn't a stick but a small box attached by a little wire.

Onto the Roku Streaming Stick Plus: this is a competitor to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, providing higher-res video streaming with support for 4K resolutions and HDR. It's set to launch in June for $39.99 / £39.99, so again it undercuts its Amazon equivalent which launched for $49.99 / £59.99 (although that was in 2023 so it's often reduced nowadays).

Nowadays, when 4K TVs are commonplace and many people buy 4K DVDs or sign up for higher tiers of the best streaming service which let you stream videos in this resolution, the Streaming Stick Plus is probably the option that most people will opt for.

If you've been on the market for a new streaming stick, you've probably been looking at the best Amazon Fire TV Sticks, but perhaps this news will make you want to wait until Roku Streaming Stick reviews are out before making a decision. As the release date gets nearer, we'll test out the devices ourselves to see if they're worth buying over their Amazon rivals.

In what has become a spring tradition, a group of amateur American bakers make their way over to the UK to compete under the iconic white tent in The Great American Baking Show on The Roku Channel. This year will be no different, as The Great American Baking Show season 3 gets ready to roll.

A spinoff of The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake Off as it is known in the UK), The Roku Channel has hosted a few celebrity-themed versions of the show, including The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday specials and even a Super Bowl foods special earlier in 2025. But this version, with amateur bakers from all across the US, is the main event.

Read on for everything you need to know about The Great American Baking Show season 3.

The Great American Baking Show season 3 release date

The Great American Baking Show season 3 is now streaming exclusively on The Roku Channel. All six episodes of the season are available right now.

The great news is that you can watch The Great American Baking Show season 3 for free, as The Roku Channel requires no subscription to watch, though as a result it does feature ads. At this time there is no ad-free version of The Roku Channel.

The Great American Baking Show season 3 hosts

Returning to serve as the hosts of The Great American Baking Show season 3 are Zach Cherry and Casey Wilson. This is Cherry’s third season as the host and Wilson’s second, as she previously took over from Ellie Kemper.

Many fans will know Cherry from his role on the hit series Severance, though he has also starred in Fallout, You and You Hurt My Feelings.

Wilson is a former Saturday Night Live cast member who has also starred in Happy Endings, Gone Girl, Black Monday, The Shrink Next Door and Physical.

The Great American Baking Show season 3 judges

As they do on The Great British Baking Show, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith once again serve as the judges on The Great American Baking Show.

Leith caused a bit of a worry for some fans as she did not participate in The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2025, but it was just a temporary absence, as Leith continues in her traditional role as a judge on The Great American Baking Show and is expected to on The Great British Baking Show as well.

The Great American Baking Show season 3 contestants

Here's a list of the amateur bakers that are competing in this season of The Great American Baking Show:

• Adela Mou
• Alma Dhuyvetter
• Chris Stefanski
• Daniel Freiburger
• Elisa Veal
• Kim Goldfeder Clarke
• Pablo Hurtado
• Parwana

The only last name of the contestants we were not able to confirm through social media or news reports was Parwana, but you can find out more about her on her Instagram account.

The Great American Baking Show season 3 trailer

Watch the trailer for The Great American Baking Show season 3 right here:

Let’s be honest, just as important as the Super Bowl commercials or the actual Super Bowl itself is the food that you have at your Super Bowl party. Everyone has their favorite big game recipes, and now a group of celebrities are going to get to show those off under the white tent in a new special, The Great American Baking Show: Big Game streaming exclusively on The Roku Channel right now.

A special edition of the US version of the classic British baking competition, The Great American Baking Show: Big Game will feature show staples Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, along with hosts Zach Cherry and Casey Wilson, as they welcome five celebrity bakers into the tent to see how they do at baking three different game day dishes.

The celebrity bakers participating are Amy Smart, who starred in the classic football movie Varsity Blues, ESPN personality Katie Nolan, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead and Hall of Fame tight end and current TV analyst Tony Gonzalez.

You can watch The Great America Baking Show: Big Game exclusively on The Roku Channel. The great thing about that is that it’s free (with ads), so you can watch it on a smart TV by downloading The Roku Channel app, or you can watch it on your computer via The Roku Channel website.

Many fans of The Great American/British Baking Show will likely be relieved to see Leith participating in this special show. It was announced last week that Leith would not be taking part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2025 for the UK’s Channel 4, which may have caused some panic among fans about what that could mean for Leith’s future on the show. However, as was shared at the time, Leith’s absence was expected to be temporary. Her involvement with this special of the American version of the show should be further evidence that Prue isn’t going anywhere.

This is just the latest special for The Great American Baking Show as it continues to build its fanbase. It has previously done holiday specials, including 2024’s The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday special. There will be another special coming in the near future, The Great American Baking Show: Sweet Summer Special. And finally, we don’t have a date yet, but the traditional The Great American Baking Show season 3 has been renewed and could come out in spring/summer if it follows the trends of past seasons.

Watch The Great American Baking Show: Big Game special on The Roku Channel right now.

If you want to spruce up your home theater or smart home set-up with an affordable streaming stick, two of the main options you're likely considering both the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and the Roku Express.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is the most basic Fire TV streaming dongle, getting you access to Amazon's smart TV operating system and all the perks of it for a low cost.

The Roku Express is the equivalent from tech company Roku, which was designed as one of the cheapest options on the market but with a few useful perks.

So if you're on the market for a streaming device to improve your TV, without breaking the bank and while still getting some useful features, both are contenders. But which should you pick? I'll run you through the key differences and features so you can make an informed decision.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Fire TV Stick 4K

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD vs Roku Express: price

Of these two streaming sticks, the Roku Express is the cheapest. It costs you $19.99 / £29.99.

You'll have to pay a little bit more for the Fire TV Stick HD, as it sells for $34.99 / £39.99.

You can occasionally find both streaming sticks for lower prices in sales, so if you're on the market don't be surprised to find either option available at about $10 / £10 less.

Both of these options are the cheapest from their prospective lines (the Fire TV Stick HD taking that mantle from the recently-discontinued Fire TV Stick Lite). If you want to spend a little more you can get 4K options (the Fire TV Stick 4K and Roku Express 4K) and even more premium versions that cost more.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD vs Roku Express: design

Like most streaming devices, the Amazon and Roku both consist of two parts: a remote and a part that you plug into the TV.

As you can tell from the name the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD plugs into a TV with a stick. It's 8.6cm long and and is roughly rectangular, protruding straight out of the back of your TV. The Roku Express is a little puck that you plug into the TV with a cable so there's a little bit more versatility, but it may end up dangling.

Now onto the remote, and the Fire TV Stick HD has a few more options than the Roku Express. Both have a few buttons at the buttom for specific apps as well as play-pause, navigation options and a home icon.

However the Fire TV Stick HD also has a voice control button, for easier navigation, as well as a mute button to easily stop sound.

Neither remotes let you control your TV, and you'll need a pricier streaming stick to do that.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD vs Roku Express: what it's like to use

The main difference between the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and Roku Express is what they're like to use: the Fire Stick runs on Amazon's Fire TV operating system and the Roku uses Roku OS.

Both of these are services full of various streaming service apps as well as live TV and an app store to download more.

Fire TV is best if you're already an avid user of Amazon's services like Prime Video, Amazon Music and Audible. It has these apps built in with a home page that focuses on recommending you new shows and listens based on your habits.

It does have other apps as well, with most of the best streaming services covered and also is video game streaming platform Luna, but it can be a little overwhelming to use at times with how cluttered its interface is.

Roku OS arguably looks a little antiquated compared to its Amazon rival but it offers all the same services as its Amazon rival, and then some.

The big perk of Roku OS is access to The Roku Channel, a free streaming service with a fairly big library of movies and TV shows, which includes some originals.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD vs Roku Express: video & audio quality

The video quality is equal on both the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and Roku Express: both let you stream your video in HD resolution or 1080p, which is the default for most streaming services as well as the resolution older TVs use, though newer ones support 4K.

If you want to stream videos in 4K, you'll need to opt for one of the pricier streaming sticks both companies offer.

Neither streaming stick lets you enjoy Dolby Atmos audio, but Amazon's uses something called 'Dolby encoded audio' which replicates the surround-sound effect of full Atmos.

Roku does offer a Headphone Mode instead though, which lets you easily stream your movies and shows to your headphones via the mobile app if you want to watch quietly.

Bake Off fans must have been extra good this year, because The Great American Baking Show is going to give them the chance to double dip on trips to the white tent this holiday season. While the latest season of The Great British Baking Show enters its final two weeks on Netflix, a new edition of The Great American Baking Show: CelebrityHoliday is now streaming (for free) on The Roku Channel.

The Great American Baking Show is a spinoff of its British big sibling, featuring franchise icons Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith (as well as classic white tent) and hosted by Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry. Two seasons of the regular competition have streamed on The Roku Channel so far, while this is the third Celebrity Holiday special for the show.

This year’s edition of The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday will see Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson, comedian Rob Riggle, former Saturday Night Live cast memberVanessa Bayer, comedian Loni Love and Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Susie Essman give baking a try through holiday-themed challenges in the hopes of becoming the star baker.

The great news is that The Roku Channel is totally free to watch in the US; no subscription required. All you have to do is get the app on your smart TV or visit the website on your computer, search for The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday and start watching (and deal with intermittent ads). You can also watch the previous editions of The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday, which have included the likes of Joel Kim Booster, D’Arcy Carden, Nat Faxon, Chloe Fineman, Liza Koshy and Marshawn Lynch in 2022, then Joel McHale, DeAndre Jordan, Heather McMahan, Ego Nwodim, Phoebe Robinson and Arturo Castro in 2023.

These holiday specials have become a tradition for The Great British Baking Show. In fact, there is going to be both a Christmas special (The Great British Baking Show: Holidays, premiering on Netflix December) and a New Year’s special. The Great American Baking Show is continuing that tradition.

Get a preview of The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2024 right here by watching the trailer:

Who doesn't love when something is free? Especially when it comes to watching movies online. Trying to pay for all the different streaming services can quickly add up. The good news is there is a bevy of options to watch free movies online, and we're helping keep track of the best of the best across a range of services.

There are a number of free streaming services online that will allow you to watch some great movies, including global options like Amazon Freevee, The Roku Channel and Tubi; others are US specific, like Crackle, Fandango at Home, Pluto TV and Xuomo. But watching any of these services won't cost you a thing, save for the fact you’ll have to deal with occasional ad-break.

But that is likely worth the price considering the wide range of movie selections that each service offers. We've reviewed each platform to come up with our own list of the best free movies online right now.

Amazon Freevee (available US & UK)

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Charlize Theron gives John Wick a run for this money in the "Certified Fresh" action movie. Theron plays an MI6 agent investigating a murder in Cold War Berlin; betrayals and hard-hitting action ensue. Atomic Blonde is a blast and features one of the standout action scenes of the last 10 years with its stairway fight.

Emma (2020)

Jane Austen's classic Emma has been adapted a handful of times for the big screen (including getting a modern day adaptation with Clueless), but Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as the young woman who takes her friends' love lives into her own hands is one of the best you'll see. Witty and impeccably designed, Emma is a treat.

Fargo (1996)

The greatest trick that the Coen brothers ever played was convincing us that Fargo was based on a true story. OK, maybe not, but their Oscar-winning dark comedy about a group of inept criminals and the determined, pregnant police chief tracking them down (played by an Oscar-winning Frances McDormand), remains one of the seminal works of the brothers' career and served as the inspiration for the hit FX series Fargo.

Mud (2012)

Jeff Nichols directed the hit indie movie The Bikeriders that came out this summer, but he has long been providing fantastic hidden gems for movie fans. One such example is Mud, about two young boys who befriend a fugitive hiding out as he hopes to reconnect with this true love. Aside from Nichols' script and direction, the highlight of the movie is Matthew McConaughey's performance, one that helped defined the "McConaissance" of the early 2010s.

Warm Bodies (2013)

Romeo & Juliet with zombies is a generally accurate summation of Warm Bodies, but the movie is a whole lot better than that description might seem at first glance. Nicholas Hoult stars as a zombie who's cold, dead heart is reawakened when he sees  the living girl Julie (Teresa Palmer). Who knew it was so easy to fall for the undead.

Best of the rest on Amazon Freevee: The Birdcage, Blue Velvet, Citizenfour, Escape from New York, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Invisible Man, Paths of Glory, Requiem for a Dream, Some Like It Hot, Split, Waiting, Wind River

Crackle (available in US)

Bronson (2008) 

Tom Hardy is an A-list star, but back in 2008 he wasn't widely known or proven as a leading man, that is until Bronson came out. The Nicolas Winding Refn movie saw Hardy star as a career criminal who creates an alternate personality named Charles Bronson over three decades spent in prison. It's a wild performance from Hardy that put him on the map. 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

A classic example of the German Expressionism movement of the early 20th century, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a haunting movie even more than a 100 years later, as it depicts a hypnotist who uses a somnambulist to commit a series of murders. Watching the movie you'll see many pieces that had great influence on classic movies throughout the years. 

Life Itself (2014)

One of the best documentarians of his generation, Steve James, took his camera to capture the career and life of one of the most influential film critics ever, Roger Ebert. Life Itself, inspired by Ebert's own memoir, not only touches on the accomplishments and impact of Ebert's work, but even how his late-in-life struggles with health could not damper his spirits or his love for the movies. 

Short Term 12 (2013)

Anyone that is a fan of Brie Larson's career must watch her breakout role in Short Term 12, where she plays a supervisor at a residential treatment facility for at-risk youths. She is fantastic in the movie, and it has an ensemble that also includes the likes of John Gallagher Jr., Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek, Kaitlyn Dever and LaKetih Stanfield. 

Stagecoach (1939) 

John Wayne is the most iconic movie cowboy of all time, and it all started with Stagecoach. It's not his first western, but it was the one that took him to stardom as the John Ford movie was an action-packed adventure that is just as thrilling to watch today as it was back then.

Best of the rest on Crackle: Blackfish, Digging for Fire, Gaslight, Halloween, The Hunt, I Am Not Your Negro, In the Fade, Metropolois, The Wolfpack

Fandango at Home (available in US)

Bernie (2011) 

If you enjoyed Hit Man this year (streaming exclusively on Netflix), then you are likely to also enjoy Bernie, another Richard Linklater movie based on a crazy but true story. In this case, Jack Black plays a friendly mortician who strikes up a friendship with a cantankerous, controlling, wealthy widow (Shirley MacLaine), only to eventually murder her. But what happens after that is where it gets truly unbelievable.

Charade (1963)

Fans of a good mystery thriller are going to love Charade, which features two Hollywood icons in Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, the latter of whom becomes a target when a fortune her late husband stole comes to her. Who can she trust? Find out in this gripping trek across Europe.

His Girl Friday (1940) 

If you prefer Cary Grant's comedic roles, then there are few better than His Girl Friday, where he plays a fast talking newspaper editor desperate to keep his best reporter, and ex-wife (Rosalind Russell), from quitting and marrying another man. The Howard Hawks movie is widely considered one of the best comedies of all time.

On Golden Pond (1981)

Another set of acting legends team up in On Golden Pond, as Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn play an elderly married couple who reluctantly agree to care for the son of their daughter's (Jane Fonda) new boyfriend. It's a superbly acted, emotional movie that won Oscars for both Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn.

RBG (2018)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was already in the history books when she became a Supreme Court justice, but over her time on the high court she became a transcendent figure in American culture. This documentary depicts that as well as recounts her incredible career from her pursuit of a law degree to her time on the bench.

Pluto TV (available in US)

Arrival (2016)

Denis Villeneuve is the current master of sci-fi thanks to his brilliant movies Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, but he was putting his stamp on the genre well before that, including with his excellent movie Arrival. Amy Adams stars as a language expert brought in to help communicate with an alien species after they arrive on earth. The story ends up being a twisty, emotional journey that is both heartbreaking and affirming.

Boyz n the Hood (1991)

John Singleton's Oscar-nominated debut is still a powerful look into the life of teenagers growing up in Los Angeles in the early 90s, with its climactic moment losing none of its emotional punch even more than 30 years later.

Collateral (2004)

If you prefer Tom Cruise as the hero, his classic movie Top Gun is also streaming on Pluto TV for free. But you should definitely watch his villainous turn in Michael Mann's Collateral, where he plays a hitman who takes a cab driver (Jamie Foxx) hostage to drive him around to various targets throughout the night. Foxx is also fantastic in the movie, so much so that it was one of his two Oscar nominations in 2005 (the other being Ray, for which he won Best Actor).

Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington directed and starred in this adaptation of the classic August Wilson play Fences, which sees him play a working class man struggling to come to terms with his life and his failures as he raises his family. Though Washington headlines the movie (and is fantastic), it's Viola Davis who steals the show as his wife, Rose, a performance that earned her an Oscar.

Gladiator (2000)

We're just a couple months away from the release of Gladiator 2, so now is the perfect time to catch up on the Best Picture winning movie. The Ridley Scott epic of a Roman general who becomes a slave when he defies the emperor and then seeks his revenge remains one of the best movies of the 21st century (if not ever). 

Best of the rest on Pluto TV: All the President's Men, Days of Heaven, A Fish Called Wanda, Grease, The Matrix, No Country for Old Men, Pulp Fiction, The Raid: Redemption, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Rain Man, The Red Shoes, Sorry to Bother You, Tombstone, Tropic Thunder, Zodiac

The Roku Channel (available US & UK)

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Moviegoers were supposed to be getting Chapter 2 of Kevin Costner's new western Horizon: An American Saga, however it was pulled from the release calendar for the time being. So in its place you can watch Costner's previous, Best Picture-winning western epic Dances with Wolves, which gets a bit of a bad rap seeing as it beat out Goodfellas for the trophy (a fair argument to have) but is still a sweeping and well made movie.

Jackie Brown (1997)

The opinion on Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown has risen in recent years, as fans rediscover Tarantino's adaptation of the Elmore Leonard source material that stars a fierce Pam Grier and features fun performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro and Robert Forster. See why it shouldn't be overlooked against Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

For my money one of the best coming-of-age movies to come out in recent memory, The Perks of Being a Wallflower stars Logan Lerman as Charlie, an introverted 15-year-old whose past traumas make it hard for him to connect with others, until he meets a pair of welcoming seniors, played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller.

School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black pours his love of rock n' roll into the superb Richard Linklater comedy School of Rock, where Black plays a substitute teacher who, realizing his class' talent in music, decides to form a rock band with them. 

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

Playing off the stranded in the woods idea, Tucker and Dale vs Evil is a horror spoof that sees kind Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) being confused as dangerous killers when a group of city teens attempt to go hiking and end up accidentally killing themselves. As things escalate, this movie just gets funnier.

Best of the rest on The Roku Channel: The Birdcage, The Great Escape, Hoosiers, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Lincoln Lawyer, Mississippi Burning, Moonstruck, Rain Main, Stronger, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Thelma & Louise, Waiting...

Tubi (available in US & UK)

The Goonies (1985)

One of the quintessential kids movies, The Goonies is an all-time adventure about a group of friends that go searching for a pirate's treasure to help save their home. It maybe jarring to think that the young Sean Astin, Ke Huy Quan and Josh Brolin we see on screen are now all in their 50s, but hey, Goonies never say die.

The Graduate (1967)

There's a reason why The Graduate is constantly listed as one of the greatest movies of all time (Dustin Hoffman's dry, hilarious performance and the complicated but impactful romances are at the top of the list). Well, now it's easier than ever to watch it if it is one you've missed out on so far.

The Mummy (1999)

Millennials like myself have a special place in our hearts for The Mummy. Brendan Fraser's performance as the hero Rick O'Connell is among the Oscar-winning actor's best and most charming, and his chemistry with Rachel Weisz is fantastic. Throw in a perfect blend of action, humor and scares and it is one of the best movies you can watch at anytime, so it's an added bonus that it's free.

The Replacements (2000)

Football season is coming up, so what better time than to watch a cult classic football comedy, The Replacements. Very loosely based on the NFL strikes that took place in 1987, Keanu Reeves stars as a former college quarterback looking for a second chance alongside Gene Hackman as his coach. While Reeves and Hackman headline, you'll spot more than a few faces you recognize in the movie.

Talk to Her (2002)

Talk to Her is one of the best movie from Pedro Almodovar, one of the most accomplished Spanish filmmakers of his generation. This Oscar-winning movie (Best Original Screenplay) tells the story of the friendship between two men as they care for two women who are in deep comas.

Best of the rest on Tubi: 12 Angry Men, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Another Round, The Apartment, The Art of Self-Defense, The Big Country, Bring It On, Bull Durham, Cabaret, Downfall, Fiddler on the Roof, Friday, It Happened One Night, Memento, Paddington, Spartacus, The Third Man, Witness for the Prosecution

Xuomo (available in US)

The Big Chill (1983)

One of the original hangout movies, The Big Chill sees an all-star ensemble (Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, William Hurt, Mary Kay Place, Jeff Goldblum and JoBeth Williams) reunite and spend a long weekend together after the death of one of their friends. Between the partying (complete with a great soundtrack), the friends discuss many of the issues they are going through and test how they've changed since college.

Dial M for Murder (1954)

While it's hard to call any Alfred Hitchcock movie underrated as he is one of the most acclaimed directors ever, Dial M for Murder is usually just on the outside of the four or five movies that people first think of when discussing the master of suspense. But this story of a man attempting to commit the perfect murder of his wife has got everything you could want in a Hitchcockian thriller. 

Fist of Fury (1972)

Martial arts legend Bruce Lee only made a handful of movies during his tragically short career, but they are all entertaining. You can check out Fist of Fury for free on Xuomo, which sees Lee as a martial arts student who takes up against encroaching dojo from Japan that looks to take over the school of his former master.

Halloween (1978)

The original Halloween is an all-time classic horror/slasher movies, as Jamie Lee Curtis stars as one of the original final girls, taking on the relentless knife-wielding Michael Myers, who would become instantly iconic following this movie's release. Spooky season will be here before you know it, so might as well get started early and watch Halloween.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

John Carpenter's The Thing is rightly praised as a great sci-fi/horror movie, but it is loosely based on this 1950s creature classic, The Thing from Another World. It is definitely more hokey than Carpenter's version, but that is actually what gives it its charm. Despite it being very much of its time it still works as an entertaining watch. 

Best of the rest on Xuomo: Nymphomaniac Part I & II, Sharknado, 

The Great British Baking Show (aka The Great British Bake Off) is a classic program on both sides of the Atlantic, but like many shows that originated in the UK, the US has produced its own version, which is why we have The Great American Baking Show on The Roku Channel. But the two series work in harmony, like lemon and ricotta, as The Great American Baking Show season 2 returns to the iconic white tent and features the legendary Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

While Netflix has The Great British Baking Show on its platform for US viewers, The Great American Baking Show has become a franchise for The Roku Channel. The free streamer not only airs the normal version of the show with talented amateur bakers from across the US, but also has done a handful of specials, like The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday.

To find out when the new season of The Great American Baking Show is coming to your TV and who all is going to be in it, read on below.

How to watch The Great American Baking Show season 2

All six episodes of The Great American Baking Show season 2 on The Roku Channel are now available to watch. From cake week to the finals, see which bakers have the goods to win Star Baker and who will ultimately bake their way to the title.

Watching The Great American Baking Show season 2 is relatively easy, as you don't need to sign up for anything to watch The Roku Channel, a free streaming platform. However, in order to access The Roku Channel directly on your TV you need at least one of the following: a Roku streaming device, a compatible Samsung Smart TV or a compatible Amazon Fire TV device. You can also watch the show directly on TheRokuChannel.com or the Roku mobile app.

The Roku Channel is available in the US, UK and Canada.

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episodes

Here is the synopsis for each episode of The Great American Baking Show season 2:

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 1, "Cake Week"
"It's Cake Week, and the latest batch of bakers is challenged to make elevated loaf cakes for the signature bake, a British classic for the technical, and a celebratory sponge cake for the showstopper."

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 2, "Cookie Week"
"For Cookie Week, the bakers make chocolate-covered bars for the signature bake and an Italian favorite for the technical. Finally, they must create a showstopping 3D cookie box containing 24 cookies."

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 3, "Bread Week"
"For Bread Week, the bakers get started with sweet buns in the signature challenge, followed by a slice of Italy in the technical. Finally, they must create an ornate Korovai for the showstopper."

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 4, "Pastry Week"
"The quarter final is tense for the remaining bakers, who are served a savory twist for the signature bake that pushes their pastry prowess. A timeless all-American technical challenge puts the bakers' expertise and time management to the test. The showstopper is the ultimate pastry challenge, as the bakers must incorporate intricate nature elements and fragile pâte à choux to create a botanically inspired masterpiece."

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 5, "Semifinals"
"With a double elimination on the horizon in this stressful Semifinal, the pressure to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith has never been greater. The remaining bakers must create a perfectly baked meringue roulade for their signature challenge. For the technical bake, they'll prove their proofing mastery as they tackle sweet and savory pretzels. Finally, the bakers take on creating a celebratory, multi-layered bombe glacée that's as showstopping on the inside as it is on the outside."

The Great American Baking Show season 2 episode 6, "Final"
"Everything is on the line for the top 3 bakers, who must impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith in a finale that challenges every aspect of their baking mastery. For the signature bake, the top 3 take on fruit tarts. The tropical slice technical bake is a test of precision and finesse. And finally, the bakers tell their story in a stunning three-tiered dessert tower for the showstopper. Who will rise to the very top, earn the coveted cake stand, and be crowned America’s best amateur baker?"

The Great American Baking Show season 2 hosts

Handling hosting duties for The Great American Baking Show are Zach Cherry & Casey Wilson. 

Cherry, who is best known for his roles on Severance and Fallout, has hosted on both seasons of The Great American Baking Show on The Roku Channel. 

Wilson (Gone Girl, Physical) replaces former host Ellie Kemper. Wilson already made her debut as the new host with The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 special.

The Great American Baking Show season 2 judges

Returning as the judges for The Great American Baking Show season 2 are Baking Show staples Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Hollywood, who was the head baker at multiple British and international hotels before he became a renowned cookbook author and TV/media personality, has been a judge on The Great British Baking Show since it began and has judged on multiple seasons of The Great American Baking Show, including the first two of the series on The Roku Channel.

Leith has been Hollywood's fellow judge on The Great British Baking Show since season 8 and made her debut as a judge on The Great American Baking Show in season 1 on The Roku Channel. Leith began her career as a party and event caterer before opening her own Michelin-starred restaurant. She has also opened a cooking school and written cooking books and novels in addition to becoming a TV personality.

The Great American Baking Show season 2 contestants

The Roku Channel has not officially shared the list of contestants for The Great American Baking Show season 2, but People provided some of the names. They are: 

• Chris Curcucu from Summerland, Calif.
• Brad Gessner from Youngstown, Ohio
• Mackenzie Rubish from Fallbrook, Calif.
• Ronald “RJ” Winer from Chico, Calif.
• Nicole Aufderhar from Walker, Minn.
• Ruoyun Zheng from San Francisco, Calif.
• Victoria Walters from Philadelphia, Penn.
• Jennifer Reyes from New York, NY

The Great American Baking Show season 2 trailer

Watch the trailer for The Great American Baking show right here:

If you've been enjoying National Geographic's Genius: MLK/X, then you may find yourself captivated by the many stories shared about Malcolm X that are not often shown in movie and television portrayals of the civil rights legend. You may even be pressed to learn more about his life from a perspective not dramatized or fictionalized. If so, we've got you covered. 

Below we've compiled a list of five documentaries about Malcolm X that are worth watching if you want to take a deeper dive into his life. 

By the way, if you haven't been following along with Genius: MLK/X, the series is available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus in the US (Disney Plus in the UK).  

Malcolm X (Prime Video)

Malcolm X is a documentary that was released in 1972, almost seven years after the leader died. It's narrated by one of the most profound voices in Hollywood, James Earl Jones, and features several sources as they dive into his remarkable, yet shortened, time on earth. 

Malcolm X is available to rent, not stream, on Prime Video. 

Who Killed Malcolm X? (Netflix)

Who Killed Malcolm X? is probably our favorite documentary on the list. The docuseries not only follows his life, but also dives into his death, helping launch the reinvestigation into his murder. Upon prosecutors looking into the homicide again, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam were exonerated for the murders, a feat long overdue. 

Here is a synopsis of the Netflix docuseries: 

"Decades after the assassination of African American leader Malcolm X, an activist embarks on a complex mission seeking truth in the name of justice."

Malcolm X: Make It Plain (PBS & YouTube)

Malcolm X: Maike It Plain is a documentary created by PBS, although it's not as easy to find on the network's webpage. But no worries, the video is listed on both YouTube and Vimeo. Here is a brief synopsis of the film: 

"This in-depth film portrait goes straight to the heart, mind and message of one of the modern era's most complex figures. Actress Alfre Woodard narrates the special.

"This film chronicles Malcolm X's remarkable journey from his birth on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, to his assassination at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City on February 21, 1965. His compelling story is told through the memories of people who had close personal and working relationships with him: prominent figures such as Maya Angelou, Ossie Davis and Alex Haley; Nation of Islam associates, including Wallace D. Muhammad, the son of Elijah Muhammad; and family members, including his wife, Betty Shabazz, and his oldest daughter, Attallah Shabazz. Included is extensive archival footage of Malcolm X, speaking in his own words at meetings and rallies, and in media interviews."

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (Netflix)

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali is a more unique look at the civil rights leader's life as it parallels it with the greatest boxer of all time. Furthermore, the Netflix documentary follows the deep friendship that once existed between the two. Here is the official synopsis of the movie: 

"Blood Brothers tells the extraordinary and ultimately tragic story of the friendship between two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century: Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time, and Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam's — and black America's — most incendiary and charismatic leader.

"This was the unlikeliest of friendships — the brash Olympic Champion who spoke in verse to the amusement of the white press and the ex-con intellectual-turned-revolutionary who railed against the evils of white oppression and dismissed sports as a triviality. But their bond was deep, their friendship real."

I Am Not Your Negro (Peacock, Roku & Tubi)

The Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning documentary is based on renowned writer James Baldwin's manuscript, Remember This House. It explores race relations and the struggle for civil rights in America through the recollections of not only Malcolm X, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers as well. 

Here is a synopsis of the documentary: 

"Director Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished — a radical narration about race in America, using the writer's original words. He draws upon James Baldwin's notes on the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. to explore and bring a fresh and radical perspective to the current racial narrative in America."

The documentary is available on Peacock for subscribers and is free on Roku and Tubi. 

Boasting a wide variety of free and popular subscription services, Roku devices let you watch wholesome family entertainment, a plethora of sports channels and access to the most zeitgeisty films of the moment. All at the click of a button.

Whether you fancy watching an adrenaline-fuelled NFL game, checking out Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour or sticking on some Pokémon to keep the kids happy, there truly is something for everyone on this wide-ranging device. Find out more about the best Roku TVs and devices.

Roku claims to offer “all you need to stream almost anything on your TV”, and that's true, but it means it can be hard to figure out how to set up certain apps. For example, how do you go about watching Fubo with your Roku device? 

Fubo is one of the most popular cord-cutting live TV streaming services. It was once mainly focused on live sports, and still offers a lot of that, but there are now multiple Fubo packages at different price points with different channels.

Well, luckily for you we’ve got a simple step-by-step guide on how to watch Fubo on your Roku device, as well as a more detailed account of Fubo below...

What is Fubo?

Fubo is your go-to for anything sports-related and is currently one of the US’ biggest sports live TV streaming services. Basketball, football, baseball and everything in between – including a selection of other TV and movie channels – Fubo streams the biggest sports events in glorious 4K resolution.

With four plans to choose from – Fubo Pro, Fubo Elite, Fubo Ultimate and Fubo Latino – you can choose the content you want for the price that suits you. With plans starting at $33 per month and a range of over 285 channels, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Check out our handy guide on picking the best Fubo plan for you.

How to watch Fubo with Roku

“How do I actually watch Fubo with Roku , though?”

All you need to do is go to your Roku Search tab and search for ‘Fubo’ and the Fubo app should appear. With your remote scroll down to the app, select it with the OK button and click on ‘Add Channel’ when presented with options.

Once fully downloaded the Fubo app will appear on your Home screen and you should be able to access it once selected. When you enter the app you will either be able to access the channel through typing in your existing login details or creating a new account.

Next step: enjoy the range of sports, film and TV on offer.

If you're not quite comfortable using your smart TV or streaming stick yet, it might be easier to sign up to Fubo on your computer or phone, and then simply log in on your Roku device. If you think that'll be easier for you, you can find current Fubo prices below:

Sling TV is one of the most popular live TV streaming services in the US with over 2 million active users watching its wide array of channels. Offering a nice mix of news, sports and entertainment channels (depending on your plan), you're certainly spoiled for choice.

While it boasts all manner of options for whatever you’re in the mood to stream, from news TV to popular entertainment channels, another perk is that you can watch Sling TV on a range of devices: including Roku TVs and devices.

Roku is a brand that makes a variety of gadgets for streaming, ranging from TVs to streaming sticks, and all run on the brand's own software. This offers access to a range of apps, including its own free streaming one, making it a great way for streamers to access their go-to services.

But how do you go about watching Sling TV with your Roku device? Keep reading to find out more about how to go about this and what exactly Sling TV is and the best deal for you.

What is Sling TV?

In the words of Sling TV, it is the first app-based TV service which makes the act of watching live TV the easiest and most affordable it has been yet. Whether its Channel Add-ons, Premium Add-ons, DVR Plus or much more, there are three separate plans for whatever your viewing habits are.

Offering a more family-friendly range of programmes, including Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nick Jr., Sling Orange features over 30 channels starting from a very reasonable $40 per month. Sitting as an alternative to that is Sling Blue – also starting at the same price – which offers 42 channels including a wide variety of national and local news.

The final plan is the best of both worlds, conveniently called Sling Orange & Blue, and mixes the entertainment channels with the sports and news in a bundle starting at $55 per month. This works out to nearly a dollar per channel with up to 50 different channels on offer. Find out more about these Sling packages and which one to pick for you here.

How to watch Sling TV with Roku Connect

To answer the question on your lips: here’s how to enjoy watching Sling TV with my Roku device...

First of all double-check that Sling TV isn’t already pre-loaded on your device...if it is then read no further! 

If it isn’t – and this will be the case for the majority – then all you need to do is head to your Roku search bar and type in the following keywords: ‘Sling TV’. If you're in a region that has Sling TV, you should see it here.

The next and final step is to select the Sling TV app once it appears and once hovered over it click ‘Add Channel’. It's really that simple! Now, you can enjoy all those extra channels on your Roku device.

If you're not quite used to using smart TVs or streaming sticks, it may help to sign up to Sling TV on your computer to save some trouble. You can find its current prices below:

If you’re someone who enjoys hearing the phrase “no soggy bottoms” or watching renowned baker Paul Hollywood issue one of his highly sought-after handshakes to an amateur baker, then you’ll be glad to know The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 is on the way. 

Like last year, the special spinoff series of The Great British Bake Off once again welcomes novice celebrity bakers as they compete under the now legendary big white tent. While Hollywood and Prue Leith are back on board as the judges and Zach Cherry returns as a co-host, there will be a new co-host beside Cherry in the 2023 installment of the series. 

So who is taking over the position previously held by former co-host Ellie Kemper (Happiness for Beginners), and when can you expect to again see stars utilizing the oven in some high-stakes baking?

Here’s everything we know about The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023.  

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 release date

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 premieres on The Roku Channel on Friday, November 10.  The Roku Channel is a built-in feature in Roku devices in the US. Those with such devices can simply start streaming the series when it airs.

If you don’t have a Roku device, you can still watch the special for free by heading over to The Roku Channel website. 

Would-be viewers in the UK can anticipate watching the new installment of The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday by utilizing The Roku Channel via a Sky Q, Amazon Fire TV or NOW TV device.   

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 trailer

Here's a trailer for the new special. Casey Wilson appears to be a great addition to the hosting team. 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday premise 

Similar to The Great British Bake Off,  the contestants in The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday are presented with a series of baking challenges. These celebs will do their best to meet the high expectations of the judges with their baked goods. With each challenge, a celeb will be eliminated from the competition until one is left to be crowned this year’s winner. 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 contestants 

Here's the list of the celebs competing. We're admittedly excited to see House of Villains host Joel McHale and NBA star DeAndre Jordan compete. 

• Joel McHale
• DeAndre Jordan
• Heather McMahan
• Ego Nwodim
• Phoebe Robinson 
• Arturo Castro 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 judges

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are back as the show’s judges. Together, these two have become fixtures in the Great British Bake Off franchise. They recently hosted The Great American Baking Show on Roku 2023 and are currently tasting a plethora of cakes, biscuits and pies on The Great British Bake Off 2023. 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2023 hosts

Zach Cherry is back to co-host the event. Cherry is a familiar face from Severance, while his voice can be heard in Duncanville as Wolf. 

Joining him this year as his partner in hosting is Casey Wilson. She is quite the comedic actress who is instantly recognizable for her work in projects like Happy Endings, Bride Wars, History of the World: Part II, Grace & Frankie and Black Monday.  

If you've been interested in watching Formula E races, whether it's because of the all-electric racing league's green credentials or its shorter race times, you'll find that each ePrix in the 2024 season will be easier to watch.

That's because there are set to be not one but two new ways to watch the Formula E 2024 races in the US, beyond CBS Sports Network's channel, app and website, which you currently need to use to watch the races.

Firstly, viewers will be able to watch 11 Formula E races each year using the Roku Channel. This live TV channel is available to anyone who's bought a Roku smart TV or streaming device, using the gadget's onboard operating system, for no extra cost.

Five more races will stream on Paramount Plus, a streaming service that starts at $4.99 per month for its ad-enabled tier and goes up to $9.99 for its ad-free one. CBS tends to air all its live sports on Paramount Plus, but so far hasn't done so for Formula E, so this is a big change.

The provisional Formula E 2024 schedule includes 17 rounds consisting of 13 events (some Formula E events are two-day races, which count as separate rounds and can have different winners). So far, neither CBS nor Roku has said which races they'll be showing, but with the full schedule not yet confirmed, we'll have to wait to hear what these races are before we find out how they'll be aired.

Roku hasn't previously shown its own exclusive live sports before, so this Formula E deal hints toward an increased output of such events. The company only began releasing original programming in recent years, most notably with the "Weird Al" Yankovic biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, though it has lots more exclusive programming, including the entirety of doomed streaming service Quibi's catalog. 

Paramount Plus meanwhile has seen its fair share of sports broadcasts, including PGA Tour golf, NFL and college football, college basketball and plenty of soccer leagues, and you can find a full list of live sports on Paramount Plus here.

Whether you think you'll watch Formula E on Paramount Plus or buy a Roku device to watch it, or most likely both if you want to catch every race, racing fans will be able to agree that it's great that Formula E is getting easier to watch.

There are many reasons to look for the best Roku TV or device: these dongles or displays let you enjoy all the perks of smart TV living without the huge expense of a pricey new set.

A Roku TV is a TV that is running the Roku smart TV operating system, while a Roku device is a dongle that you can plug into any TV to access this system, both of which let you use apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video on your TV.

Roku isn't just a hardware manufacturer but the creator of a streaming platform too, which comes installed on Roku devices; it promises to be the simplest way to stream anything, and its range of channels includes its own selection of shows and movies, as well as all the big names you want to watch: Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and the usual catch-up suspects. 

There’s lots of free content as well as access to the best streaming services and best live TV services and there’s also a good selection of music channels to choose from. 

You can get Roku TV in two ways. You can buy one of the best smart TVs with an integrated Roku app from TCL, Hisense, Philips, Insignia, Sharp, RCA or Hitachi, or you can add Roku to an existing TV with Roku’s own streaming devices — which are the product of some clever thinking. 

Luckily, both fall under the best streaming deals from time to time, with reductions to services and hardware that you need. So without further ado, let’s discover which Roku is right for you.

The best Roku TVs and devices: our top picks

TCL makes some of the best Roku TVs around, and this 55-inch model offers impressive performance and picture quality for the price. It has HDR 10 and HLG, works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, and can mirror from AirPlay 2, Android and Windows. And, of course, it has the Roku app built-in to access There are 4 HDMI 20.b ports including one eARC, a USB 2.0 connection and an optical audio output. If 55” is too big for your space there’s also a 43-inch model. If you want bigger, there’s a 65-inch for your viewing pleasure.

This Hisense Roku TV boasts HDR 10, DTS sound — albeit with just two 8 watt speakers — Freeview Play and the all-important Roku app. This 50-inch version is the middle of the range: there are also 43-inch, 44-inch and 65-inch versions, with the biggest coming in at a relatively low price (under $500/£500). It comes with three HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB 2.0 socket and ARC for your soundbar. The direct-lit LED display is bright and clear if a little lacking in nuance, and while there’s a little judder it’s nothing too dramatic. 

Like the TCL, the Hisense is surprisingly good given its price tag. If you like Roku’s way of doing things, you should definitely have this one on your shortlist.

Here's an interesting one: a Roku device embedded in a soundbar, so it upgrades the sound coming from your TV as well as its streaming smart capabilities. It’s an inspired idea — often non-smart TVs don’t pay a lot of attention to the audio, so the Streambar is going to make a dramatic difference to the way your shows sound, without the need to invest in one of the best soundbars going. There are forward and side-firing drivers to create a surprisingly spacious sound from something so small.

The Streambar streams in HD, 4K UHD and HDR (provided your TV can display those resolutions and formats) and, as it’s a Roku, it comes with the usual selection of free and paid channels for you to enjoy. Just make sure your TV supports HDMI Arc or has an optical input: the Streambar can’t work if you don’t have one of those two connections.

If you’re quite happy with your TV but want to add some Roku smart streaming sparkle, this is the streamer to get. Like Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks the Roku Streaming Stick+ slots into one of your TV’s HDMI ports and has its own remote to navigate the features and channels. This model has a much better wireless range than last year’s model, and you can use your voice with the remote control for effortless playback. Depending on your TV’s capabilities the Roku can stream in up to 4K UHD. We wouldn’t recommend paying the full RRP, though: Roku’s streaming sticks are often discounted during large sales events, so it's worth hunting around.

The Roku Express 4K isn’t the cheapest Roku streamer — there’s an HD version that’s ultra-cheap — but this is the most affordable of its 4K HDR range. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG (but not Dolby Vision) and the Wi-Fi has been improved from 802.11n to dual-band 802.11ac for better streaming quality — something that’s essential when you’re watching in 4K. Unlike the Streaming Stick+, this Roku doesn’t have a voice remote — it has an old-school infra-red one instead.

It feels a bit ungrateful griping about the lack of Dolby Vision in a TV streamer that’s such a good price — you’re getting tons of TV tech for your money and unless you’re really hardcore about your HDR, it really isn’t a deal-breaker.

The best Roku TVs and devices: FAQ

How to choose the best Roku TV or device for you

This is a case of narrowing down your priorities. Looking to level up your TV this year without having to remortgage your property? A Roku-enabled TV is a very good idea – but if your current TV's size and resolution doesn't bother you in the slightest but you want an enhanced smart experience (something that shows you Disney+ right away, say) an inexpensive streaming stick is a great shout.

Want to give someone the gift of sound and streaming? The Roku Streambar is the one – it's a likeable thing and setup is a breeze (just make sure your TV supports HDMI ARC or has an optical input; it can't work without those). We liked it so much we added it to our best soundbars roundup, and remember, most soundbars don't come with an entire streaming platform inbuilt. 

Of course, other smart platforms are available, and if you're not 100% sold on Roku (although we love the Voice Remote and we're not afraid to say it) you should consult our best smart TVs buying guide for options including the likes of Tizen, WebOS, Android and Vidaa. 

So, you're set on signing up to ESPN Plus, one of the biggest sports streamers but you've got a specific question: how do I watch it on Roku? Lucky you because we're going to outline below how to watch live sports on this streamer through your Roku smart TVs and devices!

Live sports, documentaries, talk shows and so much more. This is what ESPN Plus has to offer, and for this variety and sheer quantity of content it's no wonder this platform is considered one of the best streaming services for sports fans.

There are of course many ways to watch all of this content, but this guide will focus specifically on Roku. Considered one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world, those who have access to a Roku stick or Roku TV can use it to watch live sports, documentaries and originals from ESPN on the big screen.

However, there are two essential steps you need to complete before you continue reading this article. Firstly, you need to be a subscriber to ESPN Plus whether that's as a standalone, part of the Disney Bundle or via Hulu with Live TV. Secondly and finally, you'll also need access to Roku which we provide advice on in our separate guide to the best Roku devices.

Once you've done this, you can keep reading to finally find out how to watch ESPN Plus on Roku below...

How to watch ESPN Plus on Roku

The first way is if you are already signed up for ESPN Plus. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Start the ESPN app (free) on your Roku device
2. Select "Settings"
3. Select "Video Subscriptions"
4. Select "ESPN+"
5. Select "Log In"
6. Enter the presented activation code at ESPN.com/activate on a computer or mobile browser
7. Login to an existing ESPN account or create a new one

This will link your ESPN Plus subscription to your Roku device, as well as make your account available to use on any other supported device.

You can also subscribe to ESPN Plus directly through a Roku device. To do this, you will follow the same steps to get the ESPN app on your Roku device. You can then either sign up by selecting the ESPN Plus app in the top section, or going through "Settings" and "Video Subscriptions." If you have your Roku PayPin set up then you can easily pay for ESPN Plus with that.

And just like that, you can start to enjoy the exclusive live sports streams and other ESPN Plus content through your Roku device.

In some fantastic news, The Great British Bake Off is opening everyone’s favorite white tent to nine amateur bakers from America in The Great American Baking Show. The spinoff series, a reboot of the previous American iteration that was on ABC, has a new home on The Roku Channel, following in the footsteps of the streamer’s recent The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday that debuted last December. 

With this new installment of the show, viewers get to watch as a tech entrepreneur, a digital illustrator, a Spanish tutor and more do what they can to be crowned the ultimate star baker, and impress the legendary judges from The Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood and Pure Leith. 

So just who are the bakers under the tent? Meet the nine contestants of The Great American Baking Show.  

The Great American Baking Show contestants

Martin Sorge

Martin Sorge is a resident of Chicago and is the former executive director of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce. He currently runs his own consulting firm. Sorge's Instagram leads us to believe he may have a leg up in the competition when it comes to Bread Week, as he's posted several pictures of his homemade loaves on the platform.  

Nirali Chauhan  

Also from Chicago is Nirali Chauhan. She actually found time to bake while being a med school student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. While she has several baked goods displayed across her Instagram account, we noticed she tends to post a lot of cookies. 

Sarah Chang  

Rounding out the Chicagoans is Sarah Chang. She also is in pursuit of a profession in the medical field as a nursing student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. When speaking with Block Club Chicago about her and fellow Chicago contestants, she stated, "I hope that we represent the city really well."

Stacie Nakamoto   

Dr. Stacie Nakamoto is a biochemist and faculty member at UCLA. She is also the co-host of The Bakers' Notebook, a home-baking podcast. Her social media shows a bit of everything, signaling she's well-versed in the realm of baking. 

Dyana O'Brien   

Dyana O'Brien boasts of being a "bulldog mama" and "rockabilly singer." (For those wondering, rockabilly is a rock and roll style of music that blends dynamics of country music — think Elvis). She also may be a favorite during Bread Week as her Instagram is full of loaf creations. 

Susan Simpson  

The wife, mother and grandmother is no novice to baking competitions. In 2021, she was the winner of the Sweet Bread/Rolls category in the Adult Division of the Virtual National Festival of Breads. Simpson's Instagram is a testament to the wealth of experience she brings to the competition. 

Karis Stucker  

Karis Stucker shared with The Charlotte Observer that she partially credits The Great British Bake Off for teaching her the baking skills she possesses today. She was an avid watcher of the show with her mom. In addition to operating her own cakery, she also runs a private Spanish tutoring business. Even if we didn't know Stucker runs a cakery, her social media certainly tells the story of her cake-making expertise. 

Jonathan Gottfried  

Jonathan Gottfried is a tech entrepreneur and self-professed "hacker." He is the co-founder of an official student hackathon league that helps "cultivate communities and teach computer science skills to more than 500,000 developers" across the globe. Checking out his Instagram, we were immediately drawn to his impressive mirror glaze skills. 

Sean Liu

Sean Liu is a digital illustrator which seemingly gives him an advantage when it comes to the presentation of his desserts. Even his Instagram account showcasing his baked goods is nothing short of impressive when it comes to aesthetics. 

The Great American Baking Show judges

Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood became a household name as a judge of The Great British Bake Off. He's been a staple of the show since 2010. Hollywood has also been seen in The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday and Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds.  

Prue Leith

Prue Leith is also well-known for her time on The Great British Bake Off, having joined the show in 2017. Before then, she served as a judge on the Great British Menu and can be seen on My Kitchen Rules and Junior Bake Off.  

The Great American Baking Show hosts

Ellie Kemper

Ellie Kemper is a familiar face to those who love The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt or Bridesmaids. Respectively she starred in each as Erin, Kimmy and Becca. Kemper was most recently seen in Home Sweet Home Alone and co-hosted The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. 

Zach Cherry

Zach Cherry was the other host of The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. Prior to this, he was flexing his acting chops in things like Severance and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.  

The new episodes of The Great American Baking Show stream exclusively on The Roku Channel.  

From cooking to home decor, Martha Stewart has created a name for herself over the years. Now she brings fans more recipe ideas with Martha Cooks season 2 on the Roku Channel.

Whether you’re looking for a wedding cake design or a plan for Thanksgiving dinner, Stewart’s numerous cookbooks, magazines and library of television shows offer novice and experienced home chefs with easy to follow recipes and ideas to help create memorable meals and beautiful home decor designs.

Stewart is joined in Martha Cooks season 2 by some of her famous friends and even a family member or two as she brings her favorite recipes to life.

Here's what we know about Martha Cooks season 2.

Martha Cooks season 2 episode guide

Here’s a handy guide to all of the Martha Cooks season 2 episodes, which are all available to stream now. 

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 1: “Perfect Chicken Dinner”
“Martha serves up a delicious chicken dinner with fresh ingredients from her greenhouse; joined by her good friend Kevin Sharkey, they celebrate the perfect meal for a taste of home-cooked goodness.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 2: “Maine Lobster Dinner”
“The man behind Beal's Lobster Pier, where Martha's loves to dine in Maine, shows viewers everything they need to know about boiling lobster; then, Martha turns up the flavor with her spicy lobster linguine.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 3: “Pizza Perfections: Sicilian and Neapolitan-Style Pizzas”
“Martha serves up delicious homemade pizzas alongside friends and pizza chefs Christian Petroni and Dean Medico; featuring classic pizzas, signature sauces, and more.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 4: “Japanese Cuisine: Sushi, Sashimi and More”
“Martha visits the Japanese restaurant Joji in the heart of New York, where Chef George Ruan shares his secrets for the ultimate omakase experience; culinary giant Daniel Boulud stops by.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 5: “Brunch Favorites”
“Martha starts off brunch with a citrus cocktail Mary's knees; Chef Ignacio Mattos joins and makes an omelette with caviar and creme fraiche; Martha makes an endive salad; Martha makes waffles.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 6: “How to Make Croissants and Sourdough Bread”
“Martha journeys through her local area in search of the ultimate fresh-baked croissants and sourdough bread; learning about homemade bread and pastries.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 7: “One Pot Wonders with Jaime Oliver”
“Martha is in the test kitchen with English chef, restaurateur, and author Jamie Oliver, and they're cooking up a mouth-watering menu of dishes that are easy to make.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 8: “Martha Throws a Tea Party”
“Martha and her niece Sophie visit their favorite tea shop, Arogya, in Westport, Conn., to discover the do's and don'ts of making tea; they return to Martha's kitchen to create dishes with tea.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 9: “Martha and the Chocolate Factory”
“Martha visits Mast Market in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., and learns the art behind making their renowned chocolate; from roasting cacao, to stone grinding, to forming delicious bars and chips.”

Martha Cooks season 2 episode 10: “Perfect Burger Three Ways”
“Martha shares techniques for making the perfect burgers; Pat LaFrieda joins Martha to grind his beef mix; Thomas Joseph joins to make a hake fish burger and Martha shares her turkey burger.” 

Martha Cooks season 2 cast

Martha Stewart has been helping fans with cooking and home improvement ideas for decades. She started Martha Stewart Living in 1990, which launched her career to the next level. She's known for saying "it's a good thing."

Now, she's part of the cultural fabric. She has a new restaurant in Las Vegas and she's good friends with Snoop Dogg, and whenever she needs help with a project she can call on her famous friends.

Martha Cooks season 2 plot

Here’s the official description of Martha Cooks season 2 from Roku Channel: “Martha Stewart welcomes us back onto her Bedford farm and into her kitchen to share some of her personal favorite recipes.” 

Martha Cooks season 2 trailer

Take a look at the trailer for Martha Cooks season 2 below: 

How to watch Martha Cooks season 2

Martha Cooks is a Roku original series. The Roku Channel is available for free on Roku TVs, Samsung TVs and Amazon Fire TVs as well as Roku players and Amazon Fire TV devices. 

If you don’t have a Roku-enabled device, don’t worry! You can watch Roku originals on the Roku website or on the Roku Mobile App. 

For those that find themselves not being able to get enough of watching Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith take to the tent to judge amateur bakers in The Great British Bake Off, we have some good news. The Great American Baking Show is here, offering an interesting twist to the British hit series.  

Since The Roku Channel acquired the rights to the American versions of the Great British Bake Off franchise, the streamer has already treated fans to the popular winter show The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. Will the new series follow in its footsteps? 

Here’s everything we know about The Great American Baking Show. 

The Great American Baking Show on Roku release date

The Great American Baking Show premiered on Friday, May 5 on The Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is a built-in feature in Roku devices in the US. So for those that have such devices, you can simply start streaming the series when it airs. 

If you don’t have a Roku device, you can still watch episodes by signing up for The Roku Channel app. The good news is that it is a free ad-supported service. 

Would-be viewers in the UK can tune into The Great American Baking Show by accessing The Roku Channel via a Sky Q, Amazon Fire TV or NOW TV device.   

The Great American Baking Show trailer

It looks like Paul and Prue aren’t holding back on their critiques of the bakers. Check out The Great American Baking Show trailer just below. 

The Great American Baking show episode guide

Here is an episode guide for the season.

Episode 1: "Cookie Week"
"Nine amateur bakers meet in the iconic baking-show tent. It's Cookie Week, so bakers get their first chance to make their mark in the tent, unless their cookies crumble."

Episode 2: "Cake Week"
"It's Cake Week in the iconic tent, and the bakers are ‘batter’-ing through three whisk-challenging bakes, including16 identical sheet cakes, a decorated roll cake and an ‘illusion cake.’"

Episode 3: "Bread Week"
"It's Bread Week in the tent, and the remaining seven bakers have three freshly baked challenges to tackle in the hopes of impressing judges Prue Leith and Paul ‘King of Bread’ Hollywood. The bakers seek to rise to the occasion."

Episode 4: "Pastry Week"
"Six remaining bakers set out in pursuit of flakey, buttery deliciousness as they take on Pastry Week. From favorite childhood snacks to street food classics, plus pies galore, it's a week for tasty treats in the baking tent."

Episode 5: "Semi-Finals"
"It's time for the semi-finals in the baking tent as the final five bakers try to bake their way out of being sent home in a double elimination. The bakers strive to impress Paul and Prue hoping to secure a place in next week's finals."

Episode 6: "Finals"
"It's the final showdown, and the bakers have just three challenges left to convince judges Paul and Prue that they deserve to win it all."

The Great American Baking Show premise

Just like The Great British Bake Off,  The Great American Baking Show sees contestants compete in a series of baking challenges and try their best to live up to the judges’ high expectations. At the conclusion of each week, one of the amateur bakers is crowned star baker while another is eliminated. This process continues on until one contestant is selected as the season’s winner.  

The Great American Baking Show bakers

Here is your list of bakers competing in this season of The Great American Baking Show.  

• Martin Sorge   
• Nirali Chauhan  
• Stacie Nakamoto   
• Dyana O'Brien   
• Susan Simpson  
• Karis Stucker  
• Jonathan Gottfried  
• Sarah Chang  
• Sean Liu 

If you want to know more about this season's bakers, be sure you check out our casting piece. 

The Great American Baking Show judges

Taking their turn judging American bakers in the tent for a change are Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Hollywood has served as a judge on The Great British Bake Off since 2010 and Leith replaced longtime judge Mary Berry back in 2017. 

The Great American Baking Show hosts

Fresh off their stint hosting The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday, Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry return to host The Great American Baking Show. Kemper is best known for her role as Kimmy Schmidt in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Erin Hannon in The Office. Cherry is known for his role as Dylan in Severance. 

In a Hollywood rarity, a comedic juggernaut in is debuting a project to audiences for free. We're talking about Kevin Hart’s Die Hart 2: Die Harter. 

What is being promoted as the second season of the Emmy-nominated Die Hart series, the new slate of episodes continues to follow a fictionalized version of Hart as he goes above and beyond to prove himself as more than just a funnyman. The character is out to be one of the greatest action stars the world has ever seen, putting him in a group with the likes of Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Dwayne Johnson and more. 

So how can you watch the series that has previously featured other big stars like John Travolta (Paradise City)? Here’s everything you need to know about Die Hart: Die Harter.  

Die Hart 2: Die Harter release date

Die Hart 2: Die Harter premieres on The Roku Channel on Friday, March 31. The Roku Channel is a built-in feature in Roku devices in the US, which means those that have such devices can simply start streaming the series when it airs.

If you don't have a Roku device, you can still watch episodes by signing up for The Roku Channel app. The good news is that it is a completely free ad-supported service. 

Would-be viewers in the UK should be able to tune into the series by accessing The Roku Channel via a Sky Q, Amazon Fire TV or NOW TV device. 

Die Hart 2: Die Harter trailer

Take a look at the new trailer for the series. We have to say, John Cena looks quite interesting with long blonde hair. 

Die Hart 2: Die Harter plot

Picking up where Die Hart left off, Die Hart 2: Die Harter sees this "variant" of Kevin Hart deciding that having starred in an action film, he now wants to be known as a premier action star in the business. Unfortunately, he runs into some resistance when Hollywood execs doubt his ability to become just that. Additionally, an enemy of his past resurfaces to block Hart's pending success.  

Die Hart 2: Die Harter cast

Front and center in the series, and serving as an executive producer, is funnyman Kevin Hart. The Emmy-nominated standup comedian has built quite the reputation for starring in some big comedy blockbusters over the years that include Ride Along, Central Intelligence, Think Like a Man and the Jumanji films. Most recently, he was spotted in the Netflix movies Me Time and The Man from Toronto. 

Joining Hart this season is wrestler-turned-actor, John Cena. Cena has been on a roll since his first foray outside of the WWE world, having been seen in Peacemaker, The Bubble, Vacation Friends as well as F9: The Fast Saga and the upcoming sequel Fast X. 

Also in Die Hart 2: Die Harter is actress Nathalie Emmanuel, who is most recognizable for her roles in Game of Thrones and the Fast & Furious film franchise, Ben Schwartz, best known from Parks & Rec and The Afterparty, Paula Pell from SNL and Girls5eva and Greg Kriek who’s been spotted in Black Mirror and Rogue.  

Fans of the Great British Bake Off know just how entertaining it truly is to watch competitors on the series whip out their best skills and tricks to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, which is no easy feat. Well, now the show concept gets a new twist with The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. 

The Roku Original series not only sees Hollywood and Leith tasting all the desserts prepared under pressure (with Hollywood reserving his highly-sought-after handshake for only the very best baked goods), but viewers get to watch American celebrities severe as the actual contestants. There are also two recognizable faces taking to hosting duties. 

So, just who is brave enough to step in this reinvented tent? Here's the cast of The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday.  

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday judges

Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood hardly needs an introduction to fans of The Great British Bake Off. He's been a judge and staple of the show since 2010. Hollywood has also been seen in The American Baking Competition, The Great American Baking Show and Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds. 

Before he became known for his kitchen critiques, he worked as head baker in The Dorchester, Chester Grosvenor and Spa and the Cliveden Hotel. 

Prue Leith

Prue Leith is also famous for her time on The Great British Bake Off, having joined the show in 2017. Before then, she served as a judge on the Great British Menu and can be seen on My Kitchen Rules and Junior Bake Off.

Prior to becoming a TV star, Leith was a party and event caterer, restauranteur and was the first woman appointed to the British Railways Board. She was also a successful food columnist for publications like the Daily Mail and The Guardian. 

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday hosts

Ellie Kemper

If you've watched The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt or Bridesmaids, then you're familiar with Ellie Kemper. Kemper is an Emmy-nominated actress and was most recently seen in Home Sweet Home Alone.  

Zach Cherry

Zach Cherry has proved he has quite the acting chops starring as Dylan in Severance. His voice should also be recognizable as he voices Wolf in Duncanville and Ben Carson in Our Cartoon President. Just to add, Cherry was Klev in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. 

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday contestants

Chloe Fineman

For many TV watchers, Chloe Fineman is recognizable for her work in Saturday Night Live. She joined the cast in 2019 during the show's 45th season and has spoofed other celebrities including Britney Spears, Drew Barrymore, Nancy Pelosi and Nicole Kidman. 

Outside of the realm of SNL, Fineman has voiced Leah Birch in Big Mouth, was recently seen as Natalie in the Father of the Bride remake and Emily in the Netflix film Home Team. 

In terms of her baking chops, it doesn't sound like she's that skilled. In a People article, she admitted that she tends to burn things, although she knows how to bake yams.  

Nat Faxon

Nat Faxon is an actor and an Oscar-winning writer (The Descendants). He's been seen in a number of shows in 2022. He was Arthur in the Apple TV Plus series Loot, Marshall in A League of Their Own, Bob Haldeman in Gaslit, The Swede in Our Flag Means Death and Neville in The Conners.  

D'Arcy Carden 

D'Arcy Carden is perhaps best known for playing Janet in the Emmy-nominated show The Good Place and Natalie in the Emmy-winning series Barry. Outside of these critically acclaimed programs, she's voiced Linda in Dragons: The Nine Realms and Sophia in American Dad!, starred as Rebekah in Bombshell and was recently spotted in the Prime Video offerings A League of Their Own and The People We Hate at the Wedding.  

Joel Kim Booster 

Joel Kim Booster is another Loot star, playing the character of Nicholas. However, he's probably most known these days for writing and starring in the hit film Fire Island. When he's not acting, you can see him revert to his entertainment roots doing stand-up comedy.  

Liza Koshy

Liza Koshy is a young talent in the TV and movies but is making quite the name for herself. On YouTube she's starred in the series Escape the Night and on Hulu in the series Freakish. This past summer she was sitting alongside popstars Shakira and Nick Jonas at the judges' table in Dancing with Myself. 

Now if we were guessing, we'd say Liza is a favorite to win the competition. Not only has she served as the host of Chopped Next Gen and a guest judge on Sugar Rush Christmas, but she also cooks. Check out a video she did for Dior.  

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch is the only contestant that is from the sports world. The former NFL star is a Super Bowl winner and played for the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills and the Oakland Raiders during his career. Outside of football, Lynch has guest-starred in a few TV shows including Westworld, Murderville and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. 

Judging by the series trailer, we have some doubts about how far Lynch will make it in the competition. Take a look at him asking, "Is this whisking?"

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday is available to watch on The Roku Channel. 

For those fans of The Great British Bake Off, we have some great news. The franchise is adding another series into the mix with The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. 

While that may sound like a mouthful, the show stands to be worth every word of its title as not only are longtime franchise judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith joining in on the fun, but so are a few well-known American celebrities, including Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman and former NFL Super Bowl champion, Marshawn Lynch. 

So just what can you expect from the series when it airs? Here’s everything we know about The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday. 

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday release date

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday premieres on Friday, December 2, on The Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is a built-in feature in Roku devices in the US. So for those that have such devices, you can simply start streaming the series when it airs. 

If you don’t have a Roku device, you can still watch episodes by signing up for The Roku Channel app. The good news is that it is a free ad-supported service. 

Would-be viewers in the UK can tune into The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday by accessing The Roku Channel via a Sky Q, Amazon Fire TV or NOW TV device.  

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday premise

The series follows a similar format as The Great British Bake Off. The contestants are presented with a series of baking challenges for the week and try their best to live up to the judges' high expectations. At the end of each week, one of the contestants is crowned star baker while another is eliminated. What viewers will find different in The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday is that those competing often lack the usual kitchen expertise.  

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday cast

Kicking off this season of The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday are a handful of recognizable celebrities in the US. As previously mentioned, one of these celebrities is Chloe Fineman. Fineman has been a part of SNL since 2019. She can also be seen in the Father of the Bride remake on HBO Max and heard voicing Leah Birch in Big Mouth on Netflix. 

Another actress in the bunch is D’Arcy Carden. Before you see D’Arcy Carden show off her skills in the kitchen, she flexed her acting muscles in programs like The Good Place playing Janet, Barry portraying Natalie Greer and, most recently, A League of Their Own. 

Here is the full list of celebrity contestants. 

• Chloe Fineman (Home Team) 
• Nat Faxon (The Conners)
• D’Arcy Carden (A League of Their Own)
• Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island)
• Liza Koshy (Dancing with Myself) 
• Marshawn Lynch

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday judges

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday has Baking Show fixtures Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith serving as judges. Hollywood has served as a judge on The Great British Bake Off since 2010 and has been featured on a number of other cooking series, including The American Baking Competition, The Great American Baking Show and Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds. 

Before Leith joined The Great British Bake Off in 2017, she served as a judge on the Great British Menu for 11 years and was also featured in My Kitchen Rules and Junior Bake Off.  

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday hosts

Although Hollywood and Leith are on board in the series, The Great British Off hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas are not. Instead, the show is in the good hands of Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry. Kemper is best known for her role as Kimmy Schmidt in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Erin Hannon in The Office. On the other hand, Cherry is known for portraying Dylan in Severance.  

The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday trailer

Unlike other shows in the Baking Show franchise, it doesn’t look like viewers will want to learn any of the recipes from the contestants. The fact Marshawn Lynch asked for reassurance about whether or not he was whisking gives us pause. Take a peek for yourself.  

Weird Al has certainly lived up to that name with his hilarious and off-the-wall song parodies throughout his career, but now you can get the backstory of what made him so weird with his own music biopic, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Biopics of famous musicians have become a staple of Hollywood, with movies focusing on legends like Ray Charles (Ray), Johnny Cash (Walk the Line), Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody), Aretha Franklin (Respect), Elton John (Rocketman) NWA (Straight Outta Compton) and, just this year, Elvis (Elvis). Now Weird Al is getting his own (tongue-and-cheek) true life tale told as a movie.

Here is everything we know about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

When is the Weird: The Al Yankovic Story release date?

Weird: The Al Yankovic releases exclusively on The Roku Channel November 4. Here's how you can watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story on the free, ad-supported streaming service The Roku Channel.

Alongside the Emmy-nominated Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, Weird: The Al Yankovic is poised to be the biggest original title for The Roku Channel.

What is the plot of Weird: The Al Yankovic Story?

Here is the official synopsis for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story:

"The biopic holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like 'Eat It' and 'Like a Surgeon' to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time."

Weird Al himself helped write the script along with director Eric Appel.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story trailer

Though it claims to "hold nothing back" in the telling of Al Yankovic’s rise to musical stardom, Weird: Al Yankovic Story clearly has the same sense of humor of its subject, as the story appears to be wacky and over-the-top — except for the bit about calling Weird Al a music legend, because he is truthfully one of the best selling comedy recording artists ever with five Grammys. It’s just about everything else that appears to be hilariously exaggerated, like his troubled personality and relationship with Madonna.

Watch the trailer here:

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story reviews — what the critics are saying

Critics are on board with the outlandish Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, as the movie has earned a "Certified Fresh" designation from Rotten Tomatoes, with it scoring a 90% as of November 4. Another popular review aggregator site, Metacritic, has the movie earning a very respectable 74.

Here are some snippets from critics' reviews:

Rafael Motamayor, IGN: "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story does for the music biopic what the real Weird Al did for many a hit pop song: it makes fun of it, reveres it, remixes it, makes it weirder, and improves it."

Mark Hanson, Slant: "Weird accordingly (or is it accordion-gly?) takes everything to new heights of glorious ridiculousness."

Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al Yankovic

Taking on the role of Weird Al is none other than Daniel Radcliffe. While it is clear from the trailer above that the Harry Potter star is not actually singing any of Yankovic’s iconic spoofs, he looks to be fully committed to the role in every other aspect.

Though we all got to know Radcliffe from a young age as the boy wizard, his post Potter career has been highlighted by fun, off-the-beaten path performances. This includes playing a farting corpse in Swiss Army Man, playing various roles in the comedy anthology series Miracle Workers, oddball villains in Now You See Me 2 and The Lost City and more.

Radcliffe spoke to The New York Times about the role, saying:

"I did one shot the other day and Al walked up to me afterward and was like, 'Is this the weirdest thing you’ve ever had to do?' I was like, 'It’s top two, with the only other thing being Paul Dano riding me like a jet ski at the beginning of Swiss Army Man.'"

Who is in the Weird: The Al Yankovic Story cast?

In addition to Radcilffe, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story has a very impressive cast. This includes Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) as Madonna, Rainn Wilson (The Office) as Dr. Demento, Julianne Nicholson (Mare of Easttown) as Mary Yankovic, Spencer Treat Clark (Animal Kingdom) as Steve Jay, Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) as Oprah Winfrey and Toby Huss (Dickinson) as Nick Yankovic.

In addition, there is a whole slew of cameo appearances from well known actors, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Lennon, Patton Oswalt, Will Forte, Jack Black, Conan O'Brien and plenty more.

How long is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story?

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story has a runtime of one hour and 48 minutes (you can add in a few extra minutes for the ads).

What is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story rated?

Weird: The Al Yankovic is actually considered a TV movie, so it doesn't have the traditional PG/PG-13/R rating in the US. Instead, it has been rated TV-14, which means may not be suitable for those under the age of 14 (at least not without a parent).

Who is directing Weird: The Al Yankovic Story?

Eric Appel is making his feature movie directing debut with Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, but he is a long-time veteran of directing TV. Appel has directed episodes for hit shows including Die Hart, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Silicon Valley, New Girl, Workaholics and Blue Mountain State.

Of course a biopic of Weird Al Yankovic was never going to be standard fare, as Weird: The Al Yankovic Story takes a cue from its subject and hilariously spoofs its inspiration. Daniel Radcliffe leads this bonkers movie, which has earned a "Certified Fresh" rating from Rotten Tomatoes, and is now available for you to watch. But how?

Though Weird has an A-lister like Radcliffe, a popular musician as its subject and great reviews, you won’t find the movie at your local theater or on any of the big name streaming services (ie Netflix, Disney Plus or HBO Max). But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the way you can watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story lets you do so for free.

Let’s go over what you need to know about how to watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

How to stream Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

You’ll find Weird: The Al Yankovic Story only on The Roku Channel, which is a free streaming channel that is available as a standard feature with all Roku streaming devices and Roku smart TVs. But you don’t need a Roku device to watch The Roku Channel, as there is an app available to download through your iPhone or other mobile devices, a Samsung smart TV, Amazon Fire TV or your computer. Again, it’s all free.

Well, free with ads, as you’re going to have to deal with commercials a few times while watching the movie. The price you pay for not having to pay an actual price to watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story right away from the comfort of your own home.

The Roku Channel is available in the US, UK and Canada.

What else you need to know about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Daniel Radcliffe plays Weird Al. He is joined in the movie by Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna and Rainn Wilson as Dr. Demento, as well as featuring Julianne Nicholson, Spencer Treat Clark, Quinta Brunson, Conan O’Brien, Will Forte and more surprise cameos throughout. The movie was directed by Eric Appel (Die Hart) and written by Appel and Weird Al Yankovic himself.

Here is the official synopsis:

"Daniel Radcliffe is 'Weird' Al Yankovic in the unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician and sex symbol of our time. With Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, and an A-list cast of thousands."

Watch the trailer below.

If you want more Weird Al madness, his 1989 movie, UHF, is also streaming on The Roku Channel. 

When its time to enjoy every game on an NFL Sunday, can football fans rely on the ability to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on Roku devices? The short answer is yes, NFL Sunday Ticket is available on Roku. Though there is a longer answer NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers should know about. 

NFL Sunday Ticket is a go-to service for the passionate football fans who don't want to just watch their local games available on CBS or Fox or the nationally broadcast Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night Football games. They want access to every game live and NFL Sunday Ticket gives that to them, airing all out-of-market games from a single option. 

Roku users wanting to learn more about how they can start watching NFL Sunday Ticket can read on below.

• MORE: Which Roku should you buy?

Can you watch NFL Sunday Ticket on Roku?

Yes, NFL Sunday Ticket is available to watch on Roku. In fact, consumers have the option to sign up for both the standard NFL Sunday Ticket package and NFL Sunday Ticket Max, which gives fans a little extra content.

However, consumers need to have a Roku device that is compatible with NFL Sunday Ticket. Specifically, NFL Sunday Ticket works with Roku devices that are seventh generation and use OS 9.4 or above. If your Roku device is older than that, than you are not able to watch NFL Sunday Ticket.

How to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on Roku

Once you know you have a Roku that can handle NFL Sunday Ticket, here's how you start to watch it.

For those of you who have a DIRECTV subscription, the process should be relatively easy. First, you download the NFL Sunday Ticket channel (an app, basically), which is available on your Roku’s Channel Store. (You also can get to it here on the web.) Once you download it, just enter your usual login information for DIRECTV and you should be ready to go. 

Not everyone has a DIRECTV subscription, however — especially those who’ve cut the cord. Instead of paying for an entire subscription, you can sign up for Sunday Ticket by itself. To do so, you must meet certain criteria first. If you’re living in an apartment, townhome or condominium and aren’t already receiving DIRECTV service, you can sign up for the package alone.

There are contingencies in place for certain folks whose home layouts don’t allow for a DIRECTV satellite dish to be installed. This could be due to obstructions that harm signal or similar issues alike. For those folks, you need to check in with the service provider itself, follow this link to ensure that you fit into this group. Regardless, you can figure out your eligibility for certain plans right here. 

Students can save on NFL Sunday Ticket with deals that make that daunting bill a bit more manageable. Considering most college-aged students aren’t paying for cable, Roku and NFL Sunday Ticket are trying to make your football-viewing experience just a tad bit better.

Not everyone’s experience is going to be the same with NFL Sunday Ticket due to the many specific guidelines in place, but for those of you who rely on Roku for your streaming needs, your needs are likely to be met.

NFL Sunday Ticket coming to YouTube TV

There was some big news on December 22, with the NFL and Google announcing that NFL Sunday Ticket would be available on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels starting with the 2023 NFL season.

At this time we don't know what that means for NFL Sunday Ticket on Roku (or any other details for that matter), but as that info becomes available we'll share it here.

Roku devices and TVs are popular choices for consumers to access different entertainment platforms, but does that include The Criterion Channel? The streaming service designed specifically for the film buff, can you start watching The Criterion Channel on any/all Roku devices?

Is The Criterion Channel available on Roku?

To be brief about it, yes, The Criterion Channel is available on Roku, depending on what model you have.

Roku third generation devices and higher can support 1080p playback of The Criterion Channel content; Roku 4 and higher can support 4K playback. If you have a Roku device older than third generation than The Criterion Channel will not work on it.

How to login and watch The Criterion Channel with Roku?

If you want to start watching The Criterion Channel streaming service on your Roku is adding the Roku channel version of the streaming service to your device. Then open the channel and follow these steps to login:

• Click "Sign In," which will then give you an activation code
• On a different device (computer or phone), visit the Activate page & login (if you are not)
• Enter the code from the Roku channel and click "Activate"
• The The Criterion Channel channel should load and you are all set to watch

How to subscribe to The Criterion Channel on Roku

If you are not yet a subscriber to The Criterion Channel, you can sign up for the streaming service directly through Roku once you by following these steps:

• Add the The Criterion Channel Roku channel to your Roku
• Open the The Criterion Channel Roku channel on your Roku and click "Subscribe" 
• Select "Monthly" or "Annual" (when available)
• Enter your payment information and confirm the subscription
• You will then be able to watch immediately and will get emailed a link to watch on your computer and other devices

And just like that, you can start watching all of the classic movies available on The Criterion Channel on your Roku device.

Note, if you subscribe through Roku and eventually want to cancel your Criterion Channel subscription, you are going to need to do so through Roku.

More on The Criterion Channel

• How much does The Criterion Channel cost?
• Does The Criterion Channel have a free trial?
• How to use subtitles with The Criterion Channel
• Is The Criterion Channel available on Apple TV?

When it comes to streaming movies and shows, there's a world of hardware available. It's dizzying. We don't blame you if you don't know where to start. There are boxes and dongles and sticks. There are televisions with streaming capabilities built-in. It really comes down to details.

Do you want the most powerful? Or do you want the most affordable? (For our money, it's worth splurging. This is something you're going to use every single day.) Do you want Apple? Or Android? Or Amazon? Or Roku? And even then, which model do you get? There are a whole host of streaming devices out there and more features and specs to confuse matters.

What do we look for? Consistency. We look for a good, fast overall experience. We look for hardware whose software is kept secure and up to date, with regular improvements.

Here, we boil things down to just four models. The best streaming hardware you can buy. We've got two premium options that are the best of the best and we've got a couple of budget options that also get the job done very well — just not as well as the more expensive pieces.

Happy streaming.

If you want the best streaming hardware you can get and aren't all that concerned with the cost, you want the Apple TV 4K. You don't even have to be a complete Apple fan to benefit from it. (But you'll be able to take advantage of more features if you're using an iPhone, iPad or Mac — like the ability to use your phone or iPad for on-screen typing, or AirPlay to stream content not immediately available on Apple TV itself.)

Apple TV 4K hits all the specs you want in modern streaming hardware. It handles 4K resolution. It supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. (The former requires a display that also supports Dolby Vision, and the latter requires an audio setup that supports Dolby Atmos.) Not once in years of ownership have I thought "This thing is slooooooow." And Apple continues to update the software in line with Its other products. Apple's content library is still as good as (or better than) the others and it has every streaming service you could want, available for download. 

The biggest downsides to Apple TV 4K are the remote control (the included remote is just too small and skinny to be used comfortably) and the fact that you can get other streaming devices that do 4K resolution and Dolby Vision and Atmos for much, much cheaper.

They're just not as good is all.

If none of the above fits your wishes — or if you're all about all things Android — you'll definitely want to consider NVIDIA Shield. It's right up there with Apple TV in terms of hardware and longevity. The latest refresh brought a couple of new features. First is that the remote control got a complete overhaul, moving from something that (like Apple TV's remote) was too small and too skinny. The new version doesn't get lost as easily — and if it does, it's got a find-my-remote feature. 

The second is that Shield now has some excellent AI-enhanced 4K upscaling. For content that isn't natively presented in 4K resolution, Shield will use its powerful processing to sharpen and enhance the picture in real-time. It's very cool to see in action.

Elsewhere, NVIDIA's track record for software updates rivals Apple, which is saying something. Android TV has nearly every streaming service you want, has Chromecast built-in for those hard-to-reach services and the Google Assistant is front and center. Plus it can double as a media server and it's an excellent option for gamers — the Shield Pro for even more processing and gaming power if you're really into AAA game titles.

"Best for everyone" is a pretty hard choice between Roku players and the best Amazon Fire Sticks. Both are inexpensive. Both hit the same specs at the same relative price points. And both have recently found themselves on the losing end of the content wars missing out on services like HBO Max and Peacock.

What sets Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K apart from Roku, however, are features like Alexa, and accessories like Amazon Fire TV Recast, which (while not inexpensive) lets you add over-the-air channels directly into your Fire TV home screen feed. Fire TV Stick 4K also supports both Dolby Vision for HDR, and Dolby Atmos for audio. (Roku only has Atmos.)

Fire TV has a pretty good remote control, making it easy to navigate the busy home screens. (There's a lot going on, but I tend to think it's done pretty well.) It has nearly all the apps you want, and probably some you didn't realize you needed. It has easy access to Amazon Photos and Amazon Music. You get a ton of free video channels included out of the box with a Prime Video subscription. (You can watch those on other manufacturers' devices, too, but Amazon presents it front and center, without needing a separate app.)

And Amazon updates its software pretty regularly. 

Don't overlook the Roku Streaming Stick+. If you're not going to shell out the extra money for the Roku Ultra (which is the Roku we really recommend, but comes at double the price), this is the one to look for. It costs more than Roku Premiere, but that extra cash gets you better wireless specifications — and that's important when you're talking about streaming video.

Roku Streaming Stick+ also handles 4K resolution just fine, and it does HDR 10 and Dolby Atmos for audio. But doesn't have Dolby Vision, which is the better HDR standard. Like Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku is missing HBO Max and Peacock, so take that into consideration. It does have an above-average remote control, and the user interface is extremely easy to use.

You can now watch Paramount Plus on Roku, the largest streaming platform in the United States — and the second-largest in the rest of the world.

The only question is how.

Paramount Plus is a rebranding and expansion of CBS All Access, which was on Roku for quite some time. So there was no way anyone was going to make Roku subscribers jump through hoops to make the transition. In fact, all the CBS All Access apps we've seen on every platform simply updated themselves to become Paramount Plus.

In other words: In order to watch Paramount Plus on Roku, you don't need to do a thing other than let your app update itself. Everything will switch over to Paramount Plus and it'll be business as usual. If you're not yet a Paramount Plus subscriber and need to start from scratch, that's easy, too. Just go to the Roku Channel Store and search for "Paramount Plus."

Or you can load the Paramount Plus channel onto Roku via a web browser.

But (and there is always a "but" to this sort of thing), there's also a Paramount Network channel on Roku. That's different, however. It is the standalone Paramount Network and not Paramount Plus. The Paramount Network channel requires a different subscription and doesn't have the same shows and movies as Paramount. Plus. Go for Paramount Plus, not Paramount Network.

Paramount Plus Key Info

• What is it? Paramount's streaming service features bags of movies, TV dramas and plenty of original content. 
• Is there a free trial? Yes, there's a one-week Paramount Plus free trial, so you can try before you buy. 
• How much does it cost in the US? $4.99 (with ads) or $9.99 (ads-free). 
• How much does it cost in the UK? £6.99 (there's just one plan).

Head to the Paramount Plus website for more info and to sign up

No matter which of the plans you choose there's a one-week Paramount Plus free trial — which gives you some time to dip into the streaming service and try before you buy.

Another thing you can take to the bank? You'll be able to sign in to Paramount Plus for free with an existing cable account (or live streaming login) and watch your local CBS affiliate — no Paramount Plus subscription required. (That's if you're in the United States.) You won't get all the on-demand content, but you'll still get live CBS.

Need another one? You'll absolutely be able to watch live sports on Paramount+. And that includes watching live NFL games on Paramount.

We've got you sorted.

It has been reported that Great British Bake Off judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will reunite for the American version of the competition, The Great American Baking Show.

The last time the show aired in the US was in 2020, and it has now moved from ABC to The Roku Channel with a whole new set of judges.

No doubt this new version of the series will take its place on the best shows on The Roku Channel, which features classics such as 24, Hell's Kitchen and more.

According to The Mirror, Prue Leith will allegedly be taking the reins from the former judge, chef Sherry Yard, known for her baking cookbooks such as Desserts by the Yard: From Brooklyn to Beverly Hills. She'll be stepping down from the revamped series, and Prue will take over.

Paul Hollywood has been a regular face on The Great American Baking Show alongside fellow judges Marcela Valladolid, and pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini.

The Mirror added: "A spokeswoman for Love Productions, which makes the show for the American audience, said it will be sticking with the same format."

We know that the US series follows the same format as the UK's The Great British Bake Off so we'll be seeing contestants taking on three baking challenges: the signature bake, the technical challenge, and the showstopper, where they'll be hoping to win Star Baker.

Prue's been a fan favorite among The Great British Bake Off fans since she joined the series in 2017, replacing Mary Berry who stepped down to focus on other projects.

While we don't have a confirmed release date for The Great American Baking Show yet, it has been reported that filming will soon commence on the six-part series and a celebrity special.

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 in the UK. In the US The Great British Baking Show is available on Netflix.

Is Discovery Plus on Roku? That's a fair question given that several high-profile streaming services were left off the Roku platform when it first launched. But that's slowly been resolved and Discovery Plus is now most definitely available on Roku platforms — including the Roku player and Roku TV.

Discovery Plus is the prime destination for lovers of reality and lifestyle TV — whether it's 90 Day Fiancé, Married at First Sight or House Hunters — whatever your guilty pleasure there's something for you. The streaming service encompasses brands that make up the Discovery family of channels, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Magnolia Network.

There also are a number of exclusive Discovery Plus originals, with more on the way every year.

The Discovery Plus price is $4.99 a month for the service with ads and $6.99 a month for the ad-free plan. There is also a seven-day Discovery Plus free trial with both subscriptions, so you can check out exactly what's on offer before you sign up.

If you're keen to get started, here's how to sign up for Discovery Plus on Roku:

1. First install the channel. You can search for "Discovery Plus" in the Roku Channel store. Or an even easier way is to visit the Discovery Plus Roku channel web page and install it from there.
2. Fill in your email address and create a password.
3. Give Discovery Plus your billing information.
4. Watch all the Discovery content you want.

It's that simple.

Once you're signed up and signed in you'll have access to everything streaming on Discovery Plus. That includes the on-demand content from all your favorite shows, as well as all the exclusive content. There are more 55,000 episodes available on demand, as well as more than 50 original titles and more than 1,000 hours of original content.

In addition to Roku, Discovery Plus also is available on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS and Android Xbox and watch via web browsers.

• How to watch Discovery Plus on Apple TV
• How to watch Discovery Plus on Fire TVs

Movie fans wondering when and where they will be able to stream recent high-profile movies like Nicolas Cage’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Karen Gillan’s Dual are getting some answers. Both movies, as well as a slew of other recently released and upcoming movies have found streaming homes thanks to two separate deals featuring The Roku Channel and AMC Plus.

Let’s start first with The Roku Channel. The free, ad-supported service that is available on all Roku devices and smart TVs, has made a multiyear deal with Lionsgate that will bring all of the studio’s theatrical releases to The Roku Channel, where they will be available for free for the first time. 

The deal starts with the studio’s 2022 releases. That means that The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent as well as upcoming movies like John Wick: Chapter Four, Expendables 4, Eli Roth’s Borderlands, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and White Bird: A Wonder Story will all play on The Roku Channel. The movies will appear on the streaming service immediately following their first run on the Starz cable network. No time table was given as to when that will be.

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with our long standing partner Lionsgate to provide our audience with exclusive first-time, free access to Lionsgate’s theatrical slate," said Rob Holmes, vice president of programming at Roku.

Dual, meanwhile, falls under the AMC Plus deal that covers IFC Films. The deal, according to Variety, makes AMC Plus the exclusive streaming home for movies from IFC Films, IFC Midnight and RLJE Films after their exclusive theatrical and digital distribution periods, which will typically be 90 days after releases in movie theaters. The plan is to debut a new movie on AMC Plus every week. 

Things will start on May 6 with the Adrien Brody-led action movie Clean. Already announced movies include Catch the Fair One on May 13, Dual on May 20 and A Banquet on May 27.

AMC Plus is a subscription service available exclusively in the US, with packages starting at $6.99 per month.

These new deals are just another example of the ongoing "streaming wars" that have consumers looking to keep their monthly streaming budget at certain levels pick and choose between services. This is in part why free streaming services like The Roku Channel have been gaining in popularity a bit and Netflix took a rare hit recently in subscriber loss.

Roku has announced its Black Friday sales, giving you a chance to save a chunk of change on most of its products starting today to help kickstart your holiday shopping.

The Roku Black Friday deals will be seen across national retailers including Walmart (which has some exclusive products), as well as other outlets like Amazon and direct via Roku.com. So you have plenty of shopping options.

Here is our rundown of the Roku deals — from streaming sticks and 99 cent channel subscriptions at The Roku Channel. 

Be sure to check out our main guide to all the Black Friday deals and our rundown of the best streaming deals on offer.

Roku deals US

Save big on premium subscriptions though The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is also getting in on the Black Friday deals. Eligible subscribers will be able to sign up for select premium subscription channels for $0.99 for two months. The channels include AMC Plus, BritBox, EPIX, Showtime, Starz and more. In addition, new customers will also be able to get a 30-day free trial of HBO Max, while consumers who buy a Roku player at Walmart will get a $5 credit for RedBox.

For more information, check out Roku's website.

Roku deals UK

Christmas will come early for fans of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, as the holiday special, Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, will stream exclusively on The Roku Channel on Dec. 1. In addition to announcing the premiere date for Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, Roku has also debuted the first look at the special.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist was a musical dramedy that ran for two seasons on NBC, following a young woman who discovers she has the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and musical numbers. Critics were fond of it, as were the Emmys, giving it six nominations across its two seasons, but the show really was a cult favorite for fans, with many extremely disappointed that the show was dropped from the network.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas will serve as kind of an epilogue for the show, as it will take place during the first holidays Zoey is without her father, Mitch. Zoey will attempt to create a magical Christmas for her family just like the ones Mitch used to do. The full Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist cast is taking part in the special, including Jane Levy, Mary Steenburgen, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar, Peter Gallagher and Bernadette Peters.

The first look at the holiday special sees Jane Levy and Alex Newell walking through the mall, when Newell’s Mo breaks out into an epic rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Take a peek below.

Intrigued but haven’t seen any of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist yet? The Roku Channel has announced that it is now streaming all 25 episodes of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s two seasons on its service right now. The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service. 

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is also available to stream via Peacock or Hulu.

Roku has become one of the most popular streaming devices in the U.S., available to consumers as a plug-in dongle or integrated directly into a smart TV. But it’s more than just an easy way to access other streamers, it has its own streaming service, The Roku Channel.

An ad-supported streaming service, The Roku Channel offers a slate of classic movies for free ranging across all different genres. Users can also sign-up for premium subscriptions to get access to movies on cable channels like Showtime, Starz, Epix and AMC+.

Get a look at some of the best movies on The Roku Channel right now.

American Animals (2018)

You have to love a good heist movie, which is why it was a little surprising that American Animals — despite strong reviews — didn’t do better during its initial release. But, that’s one of the benefits of streaming, getting the chance to catch up on something you may have missed the first time around.

American Animals tells the true story of college students who attempt to steal a book from the university library that is supposed to be worth millions. Director Bart Layton was known for documentaries (The Imposter), which likely inspired a unique choice to blend the narrative telling of the story featuring actors (Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson) with interviews of the real-life people the story is based on.

It’s a fun ride that fits right into the wheelhouse of anyone intrigued by true-crime stories.

Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Films

The actors most associated with Sherlock Holmes today are either Robert Downey Jr., who played him on the big screen for Guy Ritchie, or Benedict Cumberbatch, who did so in the popular BBC series. Still, one of the most iconic portrayals of Sherlock Holmes belongs to Basil Rathbone, who played the master detective in 14 films between 1939 and 1946.

Five of Rathbone’s films are available to watch for free on The Roku Channel — Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, The Woman in Green, Terror by Night and Dressed to Kill.

See how the screen’s original Sherlock Holmes compares to our modern day versions of the sleuth.

The Big Short (2015)

Adam McKay, who prior to 2015 was best known as the director of Anchorman and Step Brothers, was not the most likeliest director to adapt Michael Lewis’ book on the U.S. mortgage crisis that spurred the great recession of the late 2000s. But the comedic director was able to bring a unique storytelling technique to this dense topic.

With complicated financial practices key to the plot of the film, McKay, who won an Oscar for the script with Charles Randolph, used celebrity cameos from Margot Robbie, Anthony Bourdain and Selena Gomez to try and simplify the material. It was a fun tool employed by the film.

Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Jeremy Strong, Brad Pitt, Tracy Letts, Marisa Tomei, Rafe Spall and a lot more recognizable faces star.

Blood Diamond (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio had himself quite the year in 2006. In addition to starring in Martin Scorsese’s Best Picture-winning The Departed, DiCaprio also earned an Oscar nomination for his performance in Blood Diamond.

The film, directed by Edward Zwick, takes place in the 1990s amid the civil war in Sierra Leone, as a smuggler and fisherman attempt to retrieve a rare diamond. Djimon Honsou (also Oscar nominated for his role) and Jennifer Connelly star in this social-political action film - giving a different perspective on a world topic and providing plenty of entertaining set pieces that keep the film lively.

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Despite not taking place in the actual Star Trek universe, many Trekkies consider Galaxy Quest to be one of the best examples of what a Star Trek movie can be.

Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, the late, great Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell and Daryl Mitchell make up the group of actors from a now cancelled TV show that are mistaken as a real space crew by a group of aliens seeking their help.

Galaxy Quest is an homage to both the series it is spoofing and the fandom that surrounds it, but it also is just a fun space adventure with plenty of laughs that has amassed its own cohort of loving fans over the years.

Halloween (1978)

No matter what time of year it is, horror fans always know it’s a good time to watch Halloween. Spawning a multitude of sequels and reboots, Halloween and its killer Michael Myers are among the most recognizable horror franchises around. Always hard to top the original, though.

John Carpenter’s original tale of teenager Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) first encounter with Michael Myers follows a style that you wish more horror films would adhere to — keep it simple. The scares come from the silent, unrelenting pursuit that Myers has for his victims, always lurking behind them eager to strike.

Plus, that William Shatner mask is just creepy.

The Hunger Games franchise (2012-2015)

The Hunger Games was one of the largest franchises of the 2010s, with its four films racking up big money and star Jennifer Lawrence seeing her celebrity status shoot up into the stratosphere. You can rewatch the entire Hunger Games series right on The Roku Channel.

Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, a girl from one of 12 subjugated districts in a dystopian world. Each year, a teenage boy and girl from each district is chosen to compete in a fight-to-the-death tournament called the Hunger Games, with Katniss ultimately forced to participate. However, as she competes she becomes a symbol of defiance to those in power, lighting the spark of revolution that the franchise uses as its base for all four films.

Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Jena Malone, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and more star in the franchise.

Major League (1989)

Baseball has some of the best sports movies ever made, and among them is Major League about a loveable bunch of has-beens and never-was playing for the Cleveland Indians (this will admittedly be weird in a few years as Cleveland is changing its real-life team name to the Guardians).

The premise of Major League is that the new Cleveland owner wants to move the team, so she assembles a bunch of misfits with the goal of having them finish dead last to cause attendance to hit a level where she can relocate. However, the team — featuring Charlie Sheen’s Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn, Wesley Snipes’ Willie Mays Hayes and Tom Berenger’s veteran catcher Jake Taylor — comes together and threatens to do something nobody saw coming, be good.

It’s a great ensemble cast, including legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker, that makes Major League such a winning film.

Memento (2001)

Before Christopher Nolan was one of the biggest filmmakers on the planet, he broke out with the smaller-scale film Memento. However, his love of distorting how a story unfolds for an audience was always present.

Memento stars Guy Pearce as a man who suffers from short-term memory loss attempting to find whoever killed his wife. As the story plays backwards, we learn, along with Leonard, just how dark this path has taken him.

While films like The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk have proved Nolan to be a master filmmaker, the case can be made that Memento remains his best movie from top to bottom.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Zombies are just about everywhere nowadays, from prestige TV with The Walking Dead to an aspiring Netflix universe that got kick-started with Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. It can all be traced back to a little film made in the woods of Pennsylvania in the late 1960s.

Night of the Living Dead was the creation of George Romero and was the jumping off point for where future filmmakers would take zombies — though Night of the Living Dead never actually calls its mindless ghouls zombies.

Even though it established many of the rules that would be used for most zombie stories going forward — i.e. zombies being slow-moving, people being bitten turning into zombies — Night of the Living Dead is more about the people trapped inside the central house for most of the film and the paranoia they experience while trying to survive.

Paddington (2014)

Sometimes we all just need to remember the importance of being kind to one another, and few films do that better than Paddington. Based on the classic children novel, the film adaptation of the talking Peruvian bear who travels to London may be a children’s film, but it has the ability to warm the hearts of just about everybody.

Ben Whishaw voices Paddington, who after finding himself lost in London, is welcomed in by the kindly Brown family. Though of course some wild antics ensue with a talking bear living in their midst, Paddington helps the Brown’s better connect as a family.

The Paddington franchise, shepherded by director Paul King, has been universally praised for its first two films, with a third expected in the near future.

Raising Arizona (1987)

Raising Arizona was not the first time audiences were introduced to the Coen brothers — that would be Blood Simple a few years earlier — but is the first time we saw just how wonderfully weird they could be.

Nicolas Cage is an ex-con who marries Holly Hunter’s ex-cop. When they realize that they cannot have children, they decide to take one from a set of local quintuplets, assuring themselves that the family wouldn’t mind having one less mouth to feed. Of course that’s not the case, as a chase ensues to get the baby back.

Raising Arizona also served as the first time that the Coens would work with one of their greatest collaborators, John Goodman.

Rudy (1993)

One of the “guy cry” films, Rudy is inspired by the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a diminutive Notre Dame die-hard who works endlessly to achieve his dream of playing for the Fighting Irish.

Sam Astin stars in the film, along with Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, John Beasley, Ron Dean, Chelcie Ross and Vince Vaughn.

College football fan or not, if the sight of the tiny Rudy among the goliaths on the field and the film’s uplifting score don’t get you cheering I don’t know what to say, but you’d be among the few.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Ever since Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter met Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling, film and TV creators have been trying to recapture the magic that made The Silence of the Lambs so successful. There have been some varying degrees of success — the Mads Mikkelsen-led Hannibal was a good entry, the more recent CBS series Clarice less so — but nothing has been able to hold a candle to the 1991 Best Picture winner.

The Jonathan Demme-directed film is an expertly executed thriller (the final night-vision encounter scene is just one brilliant example) featuring two all-time performances from Hopkins and Foster, not to mention Scott Glenn, Ted Levine and Kasi Lemmons in support.

Don’t settle for the imitations or spinoffs when one of the greatest movies ever made is available right at your fingertips.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) 

I admittedly have a bias for Silver Linings Playbook because of my Philadelphia roots as a central part of the film is the characters’ love for Philly sports teams (I nearly stood up clapping seeing Jennifer Lawrence’s monologue listing off a particularly memorable stretch of Philadelphia victories when I first saw it in theaters). But there’s plenty to love for those not inclined to root for the Philadelphia teams.

The film, from director David O. Russell, has a frenetic energy as Bradley Cooper’s Pat tries to get his life under control following a stint in a mental hospital and forms a connection with Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany, who has problems of her own. Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver, Shea Wigham, Chris Tucker and Anupam Kher also give memorable performances.

For all the craziness involved with Silver Linings Playbook, it ultimately is a heartwarming story about a family discovering the balance and support they all need.

Stagecoach (1939)

When you think of westerns, John Wayne is probably the first person that pops into your head. He starred in countless stories from the back of a horse, many of them with director John Ford. Stagecoach was the first time the two worked together, and it still holds up as one of their best.

Stagecoach tells the story of a group of people forced to travel together via stagecoach through dangerous territory. Wayne gave a star-making turn as the Ringo Kid and Ford’s shooting of one particular action sequence is impressive even by today’s standards.

It may be more than 80 years old, but Stagecoach is just as thrilling today as it was when it was first released.

The Truman Show (1998)

The Truman Show is kind of a warning against the rise and scope of reality TV; we clearly didn’t listen. Even so, the film starring Jim Carrey (in one of his best roles) is a fantastic dramedy about one man’s attempt to break free from the fake world built around him to find something truly real.

The case could be made the Carrey deserved an Oscar nom for his performance, but his co-star Ed Harris did get one in his great performance as the creator and god-like presence of the show starring Carrey’s Truman. Peter Weir (also nominated) directs the rest of the cast that includes Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Holland Taylor, Natascha McElhone and more.

The Untouchables (1987)

One of Brian de Palma’s best films, The Untouchables is a classic crime story starring Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Bradford, Patricia Clarkson and Sean Connery, who won his only career Oscar for his supporting performance.

The Untouchables tells the story of Elliot Ness as he goes up against gangster Al Capone in Prohibition era Chicago. The script comes from David Mamet.

With The Untouchables you get an all-time performance from Connery, a fun turn from De Niro as Capone and some great cinematic shootouts (particularly the train station scene), which all combine for an enthralling crime saga.

Fans of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist can get excited for the holiday season right now, as it has been announced that a feature-length film that will serve as an encore for the former NBC show is going to premiere on The Roku Channel this year.

The film is titled Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas and is currently in production in Vancouver. The full cast from the Emmy-winning series reprising their roles, including Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar, David St. Louis, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Gallagher and Bernadette Peters.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist debuted on NBC in 2020. It centered on Zoey, a young woman who realizes that she has the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of people as songs and musical numbers. The show was cancelled after two seasons on NBC. Boosted by fan support, the creators shopped it at other networks and streamers. Now, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist will conclude its run with this project that will air exclusively on The Roku Channel for free, marking the first original film for the ad-supported streaming service.

We do not yet have a premiere date for Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas.

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is the kind of show that doesn’t just entertain people, it speaks to them,” said Colin Davis, Roku’s head of Original Scripted Programming in the announcement. “The show has a healing power about it, which is brought to life by the incredibly talented cast through music and dance. That connection with the audience is what makes bringing a holiday-themed film like Zoey to life with the original cast so special. We are absolutely thrilled to call Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas our first Roku Original film and make it available to both longtime fans and new ones on The Roku Channel this holiday.”

In addition to the original film, The Roku Channel will also begin streaming all 25 episodes of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist sometime later this fall.

The Roku Channel is Roku’s own streaming service. In addition to featuring a library of classic TV and movies, the streaming service has been expanding its Roku Originals efforts, including acquiring all of the former Quibi shows, including Die Hart and Most Dangerous Game.

The Roku Channel is available for free to anyone who has a Roku device.

Roku wants to be known as more than just a provider of streaming devices that gives users easy access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and the like, but as its streaming channel offering both original content and popular shows from other channels and networks. That’s where The Roku Channel comes in.

The Roku Channel is an ad-supported streaming channel with hundreds of TV shows right at users’ fingertips. Some are only available through Roku Channel premium subscriptions to cable channels like Showtime, Starz, Epix or AMC+ — with some shows offering a few episodes for free — but plenty are free and ready to watch.

The Roku Channel also now has its own Roku Originals, many of which were acquired from the short-lived Quibi streaming channel. About 20 Roku Originals are now on The Roku Channel, with more on the way.

Here’s a look at the best shows on The Roku Channel available to watch right now.

24

During the run of 24, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) was as popular of a spy character as James Bond for American audiences. The ever-raising stakes and the ticking clock (literally) of each episode made 24 appointment viewing.

As much as the plot, fans grew to love many of the returning characters, like President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard). This meant that any twist or portrayal had the ability to strike a deep nerve with viewers.

Watch Jack Bauer save the day with all eight seasons available on The Roku Channel.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents 

Alfred Hitchcock is best known for his classic movies like North by Northwest, Psycho, Vertigo and Rear Window, but he was not limited to the big screen. Alfred Hitchcock Presents brought the master of suspense into people’s homes on a weekly basis.

Hitchcock served as the host of the show, which showed unrelated short stories every week that spanned from crime to horror to comedy, similar to The Twilight Zone, which debuted four years after Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Hitch also directed 17 of the 268 episodes that ran across seven seasons.

Other directors during the series included Robert Stevens, Paul Henreid, Norman Lloyd and Robert Altman, among others.

All seven seasons of Alfred Hitchcock Presents are available on The Roku Channel to enjoy.

Alias

2001 was a big year for spies on TV. In addition to Fox's 24, ABC debuted Alias starring Jennifer Garner and created by J.J. Abrams.

Garner starred as Sidney Bristow, who is recruited to becomes an international spy attempting to take down a shadowy organization. Her missions not only have an impact on the global scale, but dig deeper into her family and personal issues.

All five seasons of the ABC spy drama are available on The Roku Channel.

The A-Team

Despite Hollywood's best efforts to reboot The A-Team as a movie in 2010, you just can't top the original TV series that ran for five seasons. Or as Mr. T would say, "I pity the fool" who thinks they can redo The A-Team.

The A-Team was about four Vietnam veterans on the run from the military after being framed for a crime. However, while on the lam, they become the heroic A-Team, helping those in need around the world.

The show starred the aforementioned Mr. T, George Peppard, Dwight Schultz and Dirk Benedict.

All five seasons of The A-Team are available on The Roku Channel.

The Bachelorette 

One of the most popular reality series of all time, The Bachelorette has reliably brought the drama for eager fans ready to eat it up across 16 (about to be 17) seasons.

While the show has not been without controversy, including recently with longtime host Chris Harrison, fans continue to return to the reality franchise to watch roses be handed out as young people try to find love on national television.

Only one season of The Bachelorette is available on The Roku Channel, season 13, featuring the first Black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay.

Blue Mountain State 

Originally airing on what was then Spike TV (remember that?), Blue Mountain State put a comedic spin on the world of college football, following a trio of incoming freshmen at the eponymous college football powerhouse as they balance athletics, classes, girls and hazing.

The show was short-lived — squeezing in three seasons over two years — but it generated a solid fanbase that have enjoyed it across streaming platforms since its end.

The Roku Channel offers the entire series of Blue Mountain State.

The Demi Lovato Show

Demi Lovato has joined the world of talk shows, but her The Demi Lovato Show is something different for the long-held TV staple. 

As a Roku Original, The Demi Lovato Show's episodes are 10 minutes or less, but in that time she has upfront conversations with experts on important topics like mental health, body positivity, activism and more.

The first season contains nine episodes and features guests that include Olivia Munn, alien expert Dr. Steven Greer and nutritionist  Elyse Resch.

The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Dick Van Dyke Show is one of the landmark American sitcoms. Created by Carl Reiner, it was one of the first TV shows to highlight the daily life of a working family man, which has basically served as the base format for sitcoms ever since. In addition, it officially made Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore household names.

The Dick Van Dyke Show is also having a bit of a moment in 2021. First, Van Dyke was recognized with a Kennedy Center Honors for his career. Also, the Disney Plus Marvel series WandaVision used the show as inspiration and directly referenced it over the course of its episodes.

You can catch up with every single episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show on The Roku Channel.

Die Hart

One of the Roku Originals that came from the acquisition of Quibi, Die Hart stars comedian Kevin Hart as himself, determined to become an action star with the help of a former action star, played by John Travolta.

These former Quibi shows are quick hitters, all less than 10 minutes, but with a performer of Hart’s energy it’s safe to assume that they try and back as much humor into that time frame as possible.

In addition to Hart and Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel and Jean Reno co-star, and Josh Harnett is there as himself.

All episodes of Die Hart are on The Roku Channel.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

If you’re in need of a feel good show, you’d be hard pressed to find something that brings the feels more than Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

First running from 2003-2012 before returning in 2020, Extreme Makeover Home Edition was hosted by Ty Pennington, who along with a team of contractors and people from local communities, would create a new home for a family in need over the course of a week.

It was always inspiring to see communities come together and help each other create one of the most important things anyone needs, a home. Get your tissues ready, cause Extreme Makeover Home Edition does not hold back on its tear-inducing moments.

Various episodes from seven seasons of the show are available on The Roku Channel.

#FreeRayshawn

Even though Quibi didn’t last very long, that does not mean it was without its successes, at least critically. #FreeRayshawn earned two Emmy Awards for Laurence Fishburne and Jasmine Cephas Jones in the acting categories for short form series; Stephan James was also nominated.

The 15-episode first season of #FreeRayshawn follows a Black military veteran who becomes caught in a showdown with the New Orleans SWAT team. He tries to talk his way out of it with the help of a sympathetic officer.

All episodes of #FreeRayshawn are on The Roku Channel.

Hell's Kitchen

Chef Gordon Ramsay has become a TV staple in large part because of his classic rants on shows like Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Fans can relive some of the greatest hits on The Roku Channel.

Hell's Kitchen is a reality competition show where young chefs are put through rigorous cooking challenges and dinner services at Ramsay's Hollywood restaurant. If they fall short, they are sure to be in for a vicious tongue lashing.

Eighteen of Hell's Kitchen 20 seasons are available on The Roku Channel.

Magnum, P.I.

Magnum, P.I., centered on the cases of a private investigator in Hawai'i, was one of the most popular shows of the 1980s, running for eight seasons and making a star out of Tom Selleck.

Selleck, rocking plenty of Hawai'ian shirts and his trademark mustache, was joined by John Hillerman as his trusted partner Higgins, Roger E. Mosely and Larry Manetti.

Selleck lost out on a chance to play Indiana Jones because of Magnum, P.I., but I'm sure the show's long run helped make up for that.

The entire series is available to watch on The Roku Channel.

Reno 911! 

Reno 911! was a long-running hit on Comedy Central that received new life initially from Quibi and now as a Roku Original. 

The Reno Sheriff’s Department is back, with Thomas Lennon, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Joe Lo Truglio, Kerri Kenney, Robert Ben Garant, Niecy Nash, Mary Birdsong, Cedric Yarbrough and Carlos Alazraqui all returning. New to the force is Paul Walter Hauser.

The original show was often made up of short vignettes of the officers responding to hilarious crimes, so it makes sense that the Reno 911! would work seamlessly in the abbreviated episodes that make up many of the Roku Originals.

All episodes of the new Reno 911! are available to watch on The Roku Channel.

Route 66

Route 66 was a CBS show that starred Martin Miler and George Maharis as two drifters traveling across the U.S. on the historic highway, meeting plenty of interesting people along the way. It ran for four seasons.

However, perhaps the most interesting thing about Route 66 was that it was an early credit for many actors, including the likes of Robert Redford, James Caan, William Shatner and more.

The Roku Channel has all four seasons for viewers to binge.

The Saint

Before Roger Moore became James Bond, he got his big break as the star of the '60s TV series The Saint. Moore played Simon Templar, a Robin Hood-esque figure who would go around helping those in need, earning him the titular nickname.

A reboot of The Saint is in development, with Regé-Jean Page from Bridgerton tapped to take over the lead role. Could it also be a way for him to step into the tuxedo of James Bond?

Either way, you can check out the original iteration of the show on The Roku Channel, where all six seasons are available.

The Shape of Pasta

The Roku Original The Shape of Pasta was made for foodies. The series follows chef Evan Funke as he travels around Italy learning about and making rare and forgotten types of pasta in an effort to keep their traditions alive.

Whether you make your own pasta or just want to learn about some classic Italian cuisine, The Shape of Pasta is something you’ll want to watch. Probably best not to do it on an empty stomach though.

The entire first season is now on The Roku Channel.

Ugly Betty 

Ugly Betty stole the hearts of plenty of viewers during its four season run as it followed the smart but wholesome Betty, who embraces her individuality to set her apart in the world of New York fashion. America Ferrera headlined the ABC show alongside Vanessa Williams and others.

Ferrera has gone on to star in other projects like the How to Train Your Dragon franchise and Superstore, but she will always be at least in part known for her breakout role as Ugly Betty.

The entire series is on The Roku Channel to watch.

Weeds

Laws against marijuana are falling in a number of states across the country, meaning today a show like Weeds probably wouldn't exist. Good thing Jenji Kohan wrote it when she did.

Weeds stars Mary-Louise Parker as a suburban mother who starts her own weed business as an effort to support her family. It is kind of a comedic Breaking Bad, as Parker's character and her family become more entangled in criminal activity as the series goes on.

Kevin Nealon, Elizabeth Perkins, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould and Justin Kirk also starred.

All eight seasons of Weeds are ready for viewing on The Roku Channel.

White Collar

The show that introduced the world to actor Matt Bomer, White Collar sees Bomer star as a con artist who strikes a deal with the FBI to help capture other criminals in exchange for his freedom.

Originally airing on USA Network, White Collar was one of the network’s marquee shows, alongside Suits. Joining Bomer in the cast was Tim DeKay, Willie Garson and Saved by the Bell alumni Tiffani Thiessen.

White Collar ran for six seasons, all of which can be streamed on The Roku Channel.

Roku is reloading on the Most Dangerous Game, announcing that it has renewed the Roku Original for its second season, with Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz set to reprise his role as Miles Sellers.

Most Dangerous Game season one followed Dodge Maynard (Liam Hemsworth), a man desperate to take care of his pregnant wife before he succumbs to his terminal illness. To do so, he agrees to participate in a mysterious cat-and-mouse game, but he soon realizes that he is not the hunter, he is the prey. The series, which was created by Nick Santora, is based off of the Richard Connell short story “The Most Dangerous Game.”

Waltz’s Sellers is the CEO of The Tiro Fund, which has been a front for centuries that allows hunters to pay for the privilege of hunting the most dangerous game, man. And season two will have a new target, David Castañeda.

Castañeda, who is best known for playing Diego in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, will star as Victor Suero, a down-on-his-luck fighter who will do anything to protect his sister. When she finds herself in trouble, Suero agrees to participate in the game, which will play out in the streets of New York City.

Most Dangerous Game debuted when it was still part of the short-lived Quibi streaming platform, which presented viewers with short, 10-minute or less episodes meant to be consumed on the go. Roku acquired Quibi’s full lineup of programming after they collapsed and rebranded them as Roku Originals. Most Dangerous Game, which is keeping the short episode lengths, joins Die Hart and Reno 911 as Roku Originals that have recently received renewals.

No timeframe was given for Most Dangerous Game season two.

“Audiences gravitated towards the dynamic storytelling and uncompromising action of season one,” said Colin Davis, Rok’s head of Scripted. “Nick Santora’s script for season two takes the thrill to the next level in New York and with David Castañeda joining Christoph Waltz, it was an easy decision to bring Most Dangerous Game back for another season.”

The first season of Most Dangerous Game can be watched on The Roku Channel, which is available on all Roku devices, as well as on the internet, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung TVs. The Roku Channel is free to watch.

The latest TCL 6-Series Roku TV — as in it's a TV with the Roku operating system built in — is now available in 8K resolution. That's a ridiculous 33 million pixels, a spec that should last you at least 6 months before being eclipsed by the next new thing.

All kidding aside, however, that's the sort of thing that should definitely future-proof your living room for a while. We're talking two TVs, at 65- and 75-inch sizes. They've got support for Dolby Vision and HRD 10, as well as HLG. The panel is of the mini-LED variety, with full array local dimming, and it sports a 120Hz refresh rate. Plus there are four HDMI inputs, though the inclusion of the Roku operating system means you should be able to get to all the streaming content you could possibly want without having to plug anything else in. There's also a USB port, Ethernet, and digital optical audio — all standard stuff.

That 8K spec, though — that's where the starting price of $2,199 for the 65-incher (and $2,999 for 75 inches) comes in. It's also where you need to be a little careful. For the most part, native content tends to top out at 4K resolution these days, and all the upscaling in the world isn't going to do all that much for source material that's beamed over at 720p once it's scaled to within an inch of its life at 4320p.

That said, there's no doubt that between the resolution itself and the mini-LED panel, good content is almost certainly going to look great on this TV.

And because it's a Roku TV, it's going to be extremely simple to use. You'll have a single remote to control all the things. You'll have automatic software updates, and the ability to use Roku's built-in voice commands alongside Amazon Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant. Plus it's got support for Apple AirPlay 2, and Google's Cast protocols. 

The new TCL 6-Series at 8K resolution are available now at Amazon and Best Buy.

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Roku is set to premiere a new slate of Roku Originals, announcing that 23 shows will launch on The Roku Channel on Friday, Aug. 13. The group of titles set to launch on the streaming service includes four never-before-seen shows, as well as an Emmy nominated program.

Roku Originals is the rebranded name for shows that came from the short-lived Quibi streaming service. Launched in 2020, Quibi was designed to be an on-the-go streaming service, with episodes all coming in at about 10 minutes or less and played on people’s phones. It didn’t pan out. Quibi shut down after just a few months and Roku came in and acquired its library of titles.

A number of Roku Originals are already available on The Roku Channel, including Die Hart, #FreeRayshawn, Reno 911 and more.

The four brand new Roku Originals releasing on Aug. 13 include the game shows Eye Candy and Squeaky Clean; the docuseries What Happens in Hollywood and the second season of Thanks a Million, an unscripted program where people pay forward acts of kindness. 

Some of the other shows that will be making their debut on The Roku Channel originally premiered when Quibi was still up and running, like Survive, which stars Game of Thrones alum Sophie Turner; The Stranger with Dane DeHaan; and Mapleworth Murders, an Emmy-nominated series that stars Paula Pell, John Lutz and J.B. Smoove.

Here is the full list of Roku Originals arriving on The Roku Channel on Aug. 13:

• &Music 
• The Andy Cohen Diaries 
• Benedict Men 
• Elba vs. Block 
• Eye Candy 
• Fierce Queens 
• Floored 
• Gone Mental with Lior 
• Mapleworth Murders 
• Memory Hole 
• Nice One! 
• Nikki Fre$h 
• Run This City 
• The Sauce 
• Sex Next Door 
• Singled Out 
• Skrrt with Offset 
• Squeaky Clean 
• The Stranger 
• Survive 
• Thanks a Million 
• What Happens in Hollywood 
• Wireless 

The Roku Channel is a free streaming service with hundreds of movies and TV shows that is available to anyone with a Roku TV or Roku device. There are premium channels available on The Roku Channel that do require a monthly fee, which can vary from channel to channel. 

UFC 265 has a night full of must-see fights including two of the biggest heavyweights in the interim championship Main Event, so fight fans who also have the most popular streaming devices need to know how to watch UFC 265 on Roku. If you can’t get down to Houston to see it live, it can be easy to set up your TV to stream these massive fights. If you want to watch UFC 265 on the greatest streaming devices, you can score an easy win with ESPN on Roku.

Roku devices come in a variety of price points and sizes. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is excellent, affordable, and small but any Roku will be able to stream the latest major night of MMA.

UFC 265 will be broadcast live on Saturday, August 7, from the Toyota Center in Houston. The Pay-Per-View Main Event is headlined by two of the biggest baddest heavyweight fighters in the UFC fighting for an interim title. 

Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis (25-7) is already deserving of a proper shot at the undisputed heavyweight title, but the Champion Francis Ngannou needed just a little more time to recover from his last fight. Instead of waiting, the UFC has lined up an interim title fight for Lewis, but he’s going to have to take on a powerful new foe. That opponent is Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane (9-0), an undefeated fighter who was the heavyweight champion in a smaller promotion earlier in his career. Can Gane beat the “Black Beast” and earn his way into the octagon with Ngannou?

Learn how to watch UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane on Pay-Per-View

Now you just need to know how to watch it on your Roku. The only way to watch UFC 265 is on ESPN+, which is part of the ESPN channel. Before you can watch the fighters walk to the octagon, you'll need to get the ESPN channel on your Roku.

How to get the ESPN channel for Roku

Channels are available in the Roku Store, and they can be installed from the web or using the remote on your Roku device. You can sign in with your Roku account on the web and send the channel to your devices in a snap. Click here to get started .

The app should show up on your Roku once you are done. It's just like magic.

If you prefer, you can use your remote to install the channel on your Roku.

1. On the home screen, navigate to the Roku Channel Store in the main menu.
2. Select the Search option.
3. Use the on screen remote to type ESPN .
4. The ESPN channel will appear in the results. Find it, and select Install this channel to complete.

Now you just need to get the ESPN channel logged in with your ESPN+ account, so you are ready to watch your Pay-Per-View purchase.

1. Open the ESPN App .
2. In the navigation bar at the top of the app, highlight the settings gear icon in the right hand corner of the screen.
3. Click to enter settings.
4. Select and click to open Account Information .
5. Choose either to Login to ESPN Account or Login to TV Provider , and follow the prompts.

That's all you need to do on your Roku. Now all you need to do is buy the UFC 265 Pay-Per-View so you're ready to watch on Saturday. Here are your options for seeing the big fights.

• If you are new to ESPN+, you can get a special offer of UFC 265 PPV and the Disney+ bundle featuring ESPN+ for only $82.98.
• If you already have a monthly ESPN+ subscription, you can upgrade to an annual plan to bundle UFC 265 PPV and a full year subscription to ESPN+ for only $89.98.
• If you already have any ESPN+ subscription or get ESPN+ through the Disney+ bundle, you can choose to only purchase UFC 265 PPV for only $69.99.

The Magnolia Network and Roku are moving in together with the creation of the Magnolia channel app that is now available on all Roku devices in the U.S. The new channel app will feature all of Magnolia Network’s original programming as well as its own exclusive workshop content.

The Magnolia Network comes from Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. The home renovation experts are hugely popular and in addition to their own shows including Fixer Upper, Fixer Upper: Welcome Home and Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, the Magnolia Network also offers episodes of French Chef with Julia Child, Monty Don’s Gardens and World’s Most Secret Homes.

Plus, the new Magnolia channel on Roku will feature exclusive instructional workshops with some of the country’s most trusted experts in food, design, gardening, the arts and more. These instructional videos allow viewers to move at their own pace, learning as they go. 

To start streaming all that is available on the Magnolia channel, viewers will have to be signed up for a Discovery Plus subscription. A Discovery Plus subscription goes for either $4.99 per month or $6.99 per month without ads. Signing up for the streaming service can be done through the Discovery Plus website or through the Roku channel store.

Here’s how you can start watching the Magnolia channel on your Roku device: 

• Visit the Roku channel store
• Search for the Magnolia channel and typing in “Magnolia”
• Select the Magnolia channel
• Hit add channel, which will add it to your Roku home page
• On the home page, launch the Magnolia channel and sign in using your Discovery Plus login information

This is just the latest content addition to Roku, which has established itself as one of the leading streaming devices in the world that provides access to nearly all major streaming services as well as its own Roku Channel content, like Roku Originals. 

Long nicknamed the peacock network because of its logo, the choice to name NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock was a fitting one (and was a break from simply adding a “Plus” on the end of the company name so many other services opted for). Peacock, which launched in July 2020, has been inserting itself into the streaming market, available on a number of different platforms, including Roku.

With Peacock on Roku, users of the popular streaming device have access to thousands of hours of NBCUniversal content, including The Office, current NBC programming, movies like the Harry Potter franchise and access to NBC Sports content, including the Tokyo Olympics — in fact, Peacock will be the streaming home for live coverage of men’s basketball, gymnastics and track & field events.

Peacock has three different tiers that consumers can choose from. The first is a completely free tier, which features advertising and the NBCU library of content, as well as full replay and some live events for the Olympics; there’s then two Peacock Premium tiers offering even more live and on-demand content with either a $4.99 ad-supported package or a $9.99 ad-free package.

Here’s a look at how Roku users can start watching Peacock right away.

How to watch Peacock on Roku

To add a new channel to your Roku device, first you need to be on the home page. Scroll to Streaming Channels in the sidebar to launch the channel store. In the channel store, you can either browse Roku’s suggested “Featured,” “New” or “Popular” categories for channels, or specifically search for Peacock with the Search Channels feature. When you’ve found Peacock, open it using the OK button on the Roku remote and select “Add channel.” It will then be added to your homepage.

Once Peacock is installed on the Roku homepage, open the app to log in. If you already have a Peacock account you can log in using your credentials. If you do not have a Peacock account, you will need to sign up for Peacock through its website.

After that’s all taken care of, sit back and start enjoying Peacock on your Roku device.

In addition to Roku, Peacock is available to watch on computers, gaming consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), mobile devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV, as well as LG, Samsung and Vizio TVs.

UFC 264 has a night full of must-see fights including two of the biggest names in the game in the Main Event, so fight fans who also have the most popular streaming devices need to know how to watch UFC 264 on Roku. If you can’t get out to Las Vegas to see it live, it can be easy to set up your TV to stream these massive fights. If you want to watch UFC 264 on the greatest streaming devices, you can score an easy win with ESPN on Roku.

Roku devices come in a variety of price points and sizes. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is excellent, affordable, and small but any Roku will be able to stream the latest major night of MMA.

UFC 264 will be broadcast live on Saturday, July 11, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Pay-Per-View Main Event is headlined by two of the biggest names in the UFC fighting the decisive match of an epic trilogy.

Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (27-6) is looking for a title shot, but first he’ll need to handle his business one more time against a big name rival. He will fight against “The Notorious” Conor McGregor (22-4) for the third time, and McGregor is looking for redemption after Poirier’s highlight knockout of Conor went viral. The winner should have next for UFC Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, but nothing is guaranteed so they have to make the best of this headline spot.

Also Gilbert “Durinho” Burns (19-4) will have a showdown against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (16-4-1). Burns is coming off of a knockout loss to the UFC Welterweight champ Kamaru Usman, and he needs a big rebound. Thompson is a tough out, but with a 3-2 record in his last five fights he needs a big win if he wants to push through to a title shot of his own.

Learn how to watch UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3 on Pay-Per-View

Now you just need to know how to watch it on your Roku. The only way to watch UFC 264 is on ESPN+, which is part of the ESPN channel. Before you can watch the fighters walk to the octagon, you'll need to get the ESPN channel on your Roku.

How to get the ESPN channel for Roku

Channels are available in the Roku Store, and they can be installed from the web or using the remote on your Roku device. You can sign in with your Roku account on the web and send the channel to your devices in a snap. Click here to get started .

The app should show up on your Roku once you are done. It's just like magic.

If you prefer, you can use your remote to install the channel on your Roku.

1. On the home screen, navigate to the Roku Channel Store in the main menu.
2. Select the Search option.
3. Use the on screen remote to type ESPN .
4. The ESPN channel will appear in the results. Find it, and select Install this channel to complete.

Now you just need to get the ESPN channel logged in with your ESPN+ account, so you are ready to watch your Pay-Per-View purchase.

1. Open the ESPN App .
2. In the navigation bar at the top of the app, highlight the settings gear icon in the right hand corner of the screen.
3. Click to enter settings.
4. Select and click to open Account Information .
5. Choose either to Login to ESPN Account or Login to TV Provider , and follow the prompts.

That's all you need to do on your Roku. Now all you need to do is buy the UFC 264 Pay-Per-View so you're ready to watch on Saturday. Here are your options for seeing the big fights.

• If you are new to ESPN+, you can get a special offer of UFC 264 PPV and the Disney+ bundle featuring ESPN+ for only $82.98.
• If you already have a monthly ESPN+ subscription, you can upgrade to an annual plan to bundle UFC 264 PPV and a full year subscription to ESPN+ for only $89.98.
• If you already have any ESPN+ subscription or get ESPN+ through the Disney+ bundle, you can choose to only purchase UFC 264 PPV for only $69.99.

Streaming platforms are falling all over themselves to keep you in their ecosystems as long as possible. That's a good thing for you as the end consumer. And the latest way in which you'll benefit comes courtesy of Roku, which has some 16 premium subscriptions available for a month for just 99 cents each if you get them via The Roku Channel.

In other words you pay a buck and get a premium option for a full month from, say, AMC+ (which bundles together AMC, BBC America, IFC and Sundance TV, along with IFC Film Unlimited, Shudder and Sundance Now), or AcornTV, which will get you some of the best British TV available. Or you can go with BET+.

And that's just the first three options, listed alphabetically.

Here's the full list of premium subscriptions you can get for a month for 99 cents each:

• AMC+
• AcornTV
• BET+
• Cinemax
• CuriosityStream
• EPIX
• Fox Nation
• Lifetime Movie Club
• Noggin
• Pantaya
• Showtime
• Shudder
• STARZ
• Sundance Now
• UMC
• UP Faith and Family

And that's it. There is a little fine print, of course. You'll need to be a new subscriber, for one. And you'll need to take advantage of the deal by July 18, 2021. After the first month (at 99 cents) is over, you'll be automatically renewed at the full rate. So if you don't want to keep the channel, that'll be the time to cancel.

You'll also be watching all this via The Roku Channel, which is available on all Roku devices but not necessarily on all non-Roku devices.

Otherwise, happy watching!

• The best movies on The Roku Channel
• The best shows on The Roku Channel
• The best channels to get on The Roku Channel
• How to watch The Roku Channel

Roku is getting into the talk show arena, as the streaming giant has announced a July 30 premiere date for The Demi Lovato Show on The Roku Channel, the latest in the continued rollout of Roku Originals.

Lovato is best known as a musician and actor, but with The Demi Lovato Show she will get the chance to sit down with celebrity guests and experts to discuss “some of today’s edgiest social topics in frank and honest discussion,” according to Roku. Topics covered in these 10-minute episodes will include activism, feminism, gender identity, sex and body positivity, mental health and interplanetary visitors.

Specific guests will be announced at a later date.

“Some conversations can be difficult, but I’ve never been one to shy away from speaking candidly about things,” said Lovato. “We wanted to create a space that normalizes living your own truth — where people can speak, engage and more importantly, learn, together. There’s something therapeutic about having raw discussions that people can relate to and with The Demi Lovato Show no topics are off limits and opinions are welcome. I’m so excited for people to see how these conversations unfold on The Roku Channel.”

The Demi Lovato Show had been planned to premiere on Quibi, hence the 10-minute runtime. But after that experiment failed, Roku came in and acquired the Quibi library of released and planned series, rebranding them as Roku Originals. Former Quibi titles currently available on The Roku Channel include Die Hart, #FreeRayshawn and a reboot of Reno 911!, among others. An additional 45 Roku Originals are expected to launch sometime in 2021.

The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that in addition to its Roku Originals, features thousands of classic movies and TV shows, as well as access to many live linear channels. The Roku Channel can be accessed through the main Roku platform, on an iPhone (or other mobile devices) or smart TVs, like a Samsung TV, and is available for U.S., Canadian and U.K. audiences.

Roku has become one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world (number one in the U.S., and only trailing Amazon Fire TV throughout the rest of the globe) and is now offering its users its own streaming service featuring library and original content, The Roku Channel.

The Roku Channel features thousands of movies and TV shows, as well as its own Roku Originals that include the likes of Die Hart, #FreeRayshawn and Roku Recommends. The streaming service can be accessed by Roku users directly through their Roku service, on mobile devices (including an iPhone) or even on a third-party device like Amazon Fire TV. This includes certain smart TVs.

Part of Roku’s popularity has come from its partnership with smart TV manufacturers to either natively install or easily integrate Roku on specific models. One of these smart TV partners is Samsung TV. So, how do you start to watch The Roku Channel on a Samsung TV. Let’s break it down.

How to watch the Roku Channel on a Samsung TV

Roku is compatible with Samsung TVs running the Tizen operating system version 2.3, 2.4, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 or 5.5. If a Samsung TV user wishes to install The Roku Channel, the TV must first be connected to the internet and have access to the Samsung Smart Hub interface.

A step-by-step rundown of installing The Roku Channel goes like this:

• Press the Smart Hub button or Home button (depending on the Samsung TV model) on the remote;
• Navigate down the page to “Apps;” 
• Search for “Roku,” The Roku Channel should appear as a search result; 
• Select the app and choose “Download.” 

Steps may vary depending on the Samsung TV model. More information is available on the Samsung website.

Once downloaded, Samsung TV users will be given instant access to The Roku Channel’s lineup of content. Users who create a free Roku account will be able to start watching a program on a Samsung TV and then be able to resume watching it on other devices signed into the same Roku account, including a Roku streaming device, smartphone, tablet or computer.

The Roku Channel is the free, ad-supported (AVOD) streaming channel offered by Roku, which includes thousands of hours of free movies and TV shows for viewers to watch. However, The Roku Channel also offers a variety of live TV channels and premium, ad-free channels (available through a subscription) for consumers to enjoy.

Roku is now the most popular streaming device in the U.S., and the second most popular across the globe. Roku users can access The Roku Channel through their Roku devices, online, on Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs and as a mobile app on an iPhone or other iOS and Android devices.

Get a breakdown of some of the best channels now available on The Roku Channel. 

AMC+

The AMC network has become one of the premiere destinations for top-notch TV shows in recent years, serving as the home for popular series like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and more.

AMC+ is the streaming version of the network and offers both new and classic AMC series, like Kevin Can F**K Himself, seasons of The Walking Dead, all seasons of Mad Men, Hell on Wheels and more. AMC+ also features classic movies that are not available for free on The Roku Channel, like The Silence of the Lambs, Scream, Blazing Saddles and more.

In addition, content is available from BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, IFC Films Unlimited, Shudder and Sundance Now.

AMC+ requires a monthly subscription that is priced at $8.99, which covers the removal of ads.

BET+ 

This streaming version of Black Entertainment Television offers many of the same great content that viewers can access on the traditional cable channel. In the lineup are a host of popular shows that include Martin, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Twenties from Lena Waithe and movies like Bad Boys and Bad Boys II, Karate Kid and Sleepless.

BET+ also has a slew of original shows and movies. Tyler Perry has produced multiple of these shows, as well as shooting a movie of a stage production of Madea’s Farewell.

A premium channel that requires a monthly subscription, Roku Channel users can start watching BET+ content for $9.99 per month.

Cinemax

Cinemax original series and the hit Hollywood movies that are available on the cable service can be streamed via The Roku Channel with this premium channel.

For $9.99 per month, Roku Channel users can watch fan favorite Cinemax series Banshee, Strike Back and The Knick, and access newer blockbusters like Good Boys, The Hunt, Ready or Not and indie favorites that include Ad Astra, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Queen & Slim.

Docurama 

If you’re a fan of documentaries, then the premium channel Docurama is right up your alley. The lineup of content on this channel includes award-winning documentaries from film and TV covering subjects from nature to true crime, and just about everything else in between.

A subscription to Docurama will run $4.99 per month.

Epix 

Epix has created a name for itself in recent years with its expansion into original series, which have resulted in noteworthy titles that include Pennyworth, Berlin Station, The Godfather of Harlem and Domina, to name a few. It is also home to major movies like The Avengers, Skyfall, Arrival, The Birdcage and more.

A Roku Channel premium subscription to the Epix channel costs $5.99 per month.

Fubo Sports Network

One of The Roku Channel’s live channels, the Fubo Sports Network, from the Fubo TV streaming service, offers live content for the rabid sports fan. Content includes live games, original content, sports movies and more. 

The Roku Channel also offers another free, live sports channel, Stadium.

Hallmark Movies Now

The Hallmark Channel is a destination for many for its feel good stories, which are available to access on The Roku Channel via a premium subscription. For $5.99 per month, viewers can watch Hallmark original series and movies. This includes the popular Hallmark Christmas movies, which means you can be in the holiday spirit all year round. 

IFC Films Unlimited

IFC Film has brought many indie titles to film fans over the years, a great many of which are available to watch on the IFC Films Unlimited premium channel. IFC Films that include Blue Is the Warmest Color, The Salvation, Sleeping With Other People, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, The Babadook and plenty more can be added to your streaming lineup for $5.99 per month.

IFC Film Unlimited titles can also be accessed as part of the AMC+ bundle.

Lifetime Movie Club

Lifetime movies are a TV staple, bringing to life many real life and fictional stories that range from drama to romance to suspense and teen issues. The premium channel rotates in new movies every week to keep the content fresh. A subscription to the Lifetime Movie Club channel is priced at $3.99 per month.  

Newsy

Keep up with all the latest news with a live channel from Newsy. Newsy offers what it calls “concise, unbiased video news and analysis” for the top stories from around the world. 

Shout! Factory TV

If you’re tired of the usual fair on TV these days, Shout! Factory TV offers a number of cult classics all in one place. Classic TV series like The Carol Burnett Show, Car 54 Where Are You? and even The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson are available to watch, as are cult movies Machine Gun Kelly and Holy Motors.

Viewers can start watching what Shout! Factory TV has to offer for $2.99 per month.

Showtime

Showtime is right up there with HBO when it comes to premium cable content, and The Roku Channel is offering access to its vast library for $10.99 per month. 

With this premium subscription, users will be able to catch up on Showtime original series Dexter, Billions, City on a Hill, The Chi, Shameless and The Good Lord Bird, and be able to watch popular movies like Django Unchained, Top Gun, Hustlers, Ex Machina, the Twilight series and more.

Shudder

Shudder is the horror-centric streaming channel offering shows and movies to satisfy any fan of the horror, thriller or suspense genres. Available titles include A Discovery of Witches, Mandy, Halloween, Creepshow, Night of the Living Dead and the Shudder original movie, Hunted.

The Shudder channel is available for $5.99 per month, or it is included in the AMC+ bundle.

Starz 

Starz is the home of popular fantasy series Outlander as well as the brand new series Blindspotting, and the Starz premium channel makes them, and more, available on The Roku Channel.

In addition to those previously mentioned shows, Starz originals like The Girlfriend Experience and Spartacus are available through channel, as are classic TV titles like The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son and Miami Vice, and big Hollywood movies such as Jumanji: The Next Level, Bad Boys for Life, Titanic and Heat.

A Starz channel subscription costs $8.99 per month.

Sundance Now

Featuring TV shows and independent films from all over the world, Sundance Now has plenty to discover. Get your drama in The Little Drummer Girl or Sundance Now original The Bureau, or your comedy via State of the Union or Motherland.

The Sundance Now channel is available for $6.99 per month. It is also included as part of the AMC+ bundle.

Weather Nation 

It’s important to keep up with the weather, and The Roku Channel has its own free, live channel to do just that in Weather Nation. The 24/7 channel covers breaking weather news, hyper-local weather, provides satellite/radar maps and regional and national weather news. 

Roku has expanded its business from its popular streaming devices, offering The Roku Channel, its own free, ad-supported streaming service that features movies and shows, as well as a growing number of Roku Originals.

There are thousands of hours of classic movies and TV shows available to watch on The Roku Channel — What to Watch has a running list of some of the best movies and shows — as well as more than 150 live streaming TV channels. The Roku Channel also offers premium subscriptions that allows subscribers to access content from the likes of AMC+, Showtime, Starz and Epix.

Roku also continues to roll out new Roku Original content, including titles that it acquired from the short-lived Quibi streaming service, like Die Hart, and its own programming guide, Roku Recommends.

The Roku Channel is available to users on a number of different platforms. In addition to being available on all Roku devices, The Roku Channel can be accessed through web browsers, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs and on an iPhone and other iOS and Android devices through a mobile app.

Amazon Fire TV is the top selling streaming device globally, and only trails Roku here in the U.S., so let’s take a look at how its users can start watching The Roku Channel.

How to download The Roku Channel on Amazon Fire TV devices 

The Roku Channel can be installed on any Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs and Fire TV Edition soundbars in the U.S.

For users to download The Roku Channel to their Fire TV device, first they need to open the top menu using their Fire TV remote. Then scroll right and select “Apps,” then select “Categories,” followed by “Movies & TV.” From there, scroll down and select The Roku Channel. This will add The Roku Channel to their home screen.

Users can also download The Roku Channel by searching for it from the top menu, typing “The Roku Channel” into the magnifying glass icon. The Roku Channel can also be accessed by using the voice command, “Alexa, open The Roku Channel.”

Roku’s own streaming service, The Roku Channel, is a free, ad-supported (AVOD) platform that allows viewers to watch a variety of programming. There are a number of classic movies and TV shows, as well as a number of Roku Originals, like the Kevin Hart comedy series Die Hart.

Of course, The Roku Channel can be accessed through a Roku device or smart TV, but Roku also has a mobile version of the streaming service that allows viewers to watch Roku Channel content from their mobile phones, either iPhone or Android. 

Here is how to watch The Roku Channel on an iPhone. 

What is The Roku Channel mobile app?

With The Roku Channel mobile app, mobile device users can enjoy all of the free, live and premium content available via The Roku Channel anywhere on their mobile device. The content is presented together, making it easy to search and browse what is available, per Roku.

In regards to iPhones, the Roku Channel is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 11 or higher.

How to download The Roku Channel mobile app

To download The Roku Channel mobile app, iPhone users can visit the App Store on their Apple device or visit the online App Store. 

How to start watching content on The Roku Channel mobile app 

Once The Roku Channel mobile app is downloaded, users need to sign in to their Roku account or create a new one. After signing in, any content available from The Roku Channel can now be viewed on The Roku Channel mobile app, this includes content only available through premium subscriptions, like access to AMC+, Showtime, Starz and Epix channels.

Users cannot sign up for a Roku Channel premium subscription through The Roku Channel mobile app. Premium subscriptions must be signed up for on a Roku streaming device or via TheRokuChannel.com on a computer or smartphone.

UFC 263 has a night full of must-see fights including two championship bouts, so fight fans who also have the most popular streaming devices need to know how to watch UFC 263 on Roku. If you can’t get out to Arizona to see it live, it can be easy to set up your TV to stream these massive fights. If you want to watch UFC 263 on the greatest streaming devices, you can score an easy win with ESPN on Roku.

Roku devices come in a variety of price points and sizes. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is excellent, affordable, and small but any Roku will be able to stream the latest major night of MMA.

On June 12, UFC 263 is broadcasting a night of MMA fights live from the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The Pay-Per-View Main Event is headlined by two UFC championship fights.

Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (20-1) is defending his UFC Middleweight championship in a rematch against Marvin “The Italian Dream” Vettori (17-4-1). Adesanya is coming off of his first career loss in his quest to become a two division champ, but he still has this strap and he plans to keep it. Vettori scored a win on one scorecard the first time he faced Adesanya, but lost a split decision based on the two other judges.

Also Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1-1) will defend against his number one contender Brandon Moreno (18-5-2). Plus Welterweight superstars collide as Leon Edwards (18-3) takes on Nate Diaz (21-12).

Learn how to watch UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2 on Pay-Per-View

Now you just need to know how to watch it on your Roku. The only way to watch UFC 263 is on ESPN+, which is part of the ESPN channel. Before you can watch the fighters walk to the octagon, you'll need to get the ESPN channel on your Roku.

How to get the ESPN channel for Roku

Channels are available in the Roku Store, and they can be installed from the web or using the remote on your Roku device. You can sign in with your Roku account on the web and send the channel to your devices in a snap. Click here to get started .

The app should show up on your Roku once you are done. It's just like magic.

If you prefer, you can use your remote to install the channel on your Roku.

1. On the home screen, navigate to the Roku Channel Store in the main menu.
2. Select the Search option.
3. Use the on screen remote to type ESPN .
4. The ESPN channel will appear in the results. Find it, and select Install this channel to complete.

Now you just need to get the ESPN channel logged in with your ESPN+ account, so you are ready to watch your Pay-Per-View purchase.

1. Open the ESPN App .
2. In the navigation bar at the top of the app, highlight the settings gear icon in the right hand corner of the screen.
3. Click to enter settings.
4. Select and click to open Account Information .
5. Choose either to Login to ESPN Account or Login to TV Provider , and follow the prompts.

That's all you need to do on your Roku. Now all you need to do is buy the UFC 262 Pay-Per-View so you're ready to watch on Saturday. Here are your options for seeing the big fights.

• If you are new to ESPN+, you can get a special offer of UFC 263 PPV and the Disney+ bundle featuring ESPN+ for only $82.98.
• If you already have a monthly ESPN+ subscription, you can upgrade to an annual plan to bundle UFC 263 PPV and a full year subscription to ESPN+ for only $89.98.
• If you already have any ESPN+ subscription or get ESPN+ through the Disney+ bundle, you can choose to only purchase UFC 263 PPV for only $69.99.