Following the January acquisition of various amount of Quibi original series, Roku’s streaming service, Roku Channel, will now rebrand these titles to Roku originals, according to Deadline. Roku, a digital media service provider, is most commonly used as a hub for subscribers to streaming services and owners of Smart TVs to navigate their different applications. Yet, following Quibi’s April 2020 launch and subsequent end of service in December 2020, it was announced that Roku would acquire rights to the now-defunct mobile streaming service’s original content.
Currently, Roku operates the Roku Channel, its ad-supported and free streaming service, which has closed in on 63 million users at the end of 2020. During this acquisition and transition of branding, it has been revealed that previously unreleased Quibi content will be given public release dates during a NewFronts presentation on May 3 virtually. Looking ahead in the 2021 calendar year, Roku is preparing to release original content of the newly acquired Quibi content that includes stars and their shows such as Idris Elba’s (The Wire) Elba vs. Block, Liam Hemsworth’s (The Hunger Games) Most Dangerous Game, Anna Kendrick’s (Up in the Air) Dummy, Lena Waithe’s (Masters of None, The Chi) You Ain’t Got These, Chrissy Teigen’s (FABLife) Chrissy’s Court, and Kevin Hart’s (Get Hard) Die Hart. Roku will aim to premiere 75 original series in total during this ongoing year.
Sweta Patel, Roku’s VP of Engagement Growth Marketing, commented on the acquisition and transfer of branding from Quibi originals to Roku originals. “We’re thrilled to introduce this award-winning and diverse portfolio of entertainment under the Roku Originals brand,” said Patel, via Deadline. “It’s relevant, fun, and thought-provoking TV that has something for everyone from the best talent in Hollywood,” continued Patel.