Google TV gets major Roku Channel update with new features, more free channels

3 hours ago 4

Google TV is picking up some new free channels and additional integrations from an unlikely place… The Roku Channel.

Rolling out “in the coming weeks,” The Roku Channel app on Google TV and Android TV will be delivering much deeper integration with Google’s software. That starts with integration with search which will be able to surface content from The Roku Channel. Technically, this started rolling out in September.

The Roku Channel app is also being updated with the ability to show content you’ve watched within the homescreen’s “Continue Watching” row. You’ll also find Roku Channel content within Google TV’s “For You” recommendations.

Perhaps most notable, though, is that The Roku Channel’s library of 500 free and ad-supported (FAST) channels will be coming to Google TV’s “Live” tab. It’s not been mentioned yet whether or not this will be as a part of the 1,100+ channels available on the homescreen before any apps are downloaded, but it seems more likely this is integration more similar to that of YouTube TV or Philo, where the “Live” tab can show the channel guide when the Roku Channel app is installed.

In the coming weeks, popular content from The Roku Channel will be more discoverable for streamers across Google TV. Users will be able to search for The Roku Channel entertainment, browse through movies and TV series within recommendations from Google TV, live TV, featured rows, and more – all from The Roku Channel. Best of all, it’s free.