Twitter is broadening its TV strategy with the launch of a live streaming video channel on Roku’s platform.
The channel features live streaming video, including sports simulcasts and news and entertainment programming, plus the ability for viewers to integrate and browse social commentary from the Twitter timeline. The free Twitter channel is accessible to anyone with a “current-generation Roku device” regardless of whether they have a Twitter account, they said.
Twitter is launching on Roku on the heels of content deals with partners such as the WNBA, PGA Tour, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, The Players Tribune, BuzzFeed News, Cheddar, The Verge, Live Nation, IMG Fashion and Propagate. Twitter and Bloomberg are also developing a 24/7 streaming news service.
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Twitter announced this week that in Q1 2017 it streamed more than 800 hours of live premium video across 450-plus events that reached 45 million unique viewers, up 31% from Q4 2016.
“The Twitter channel on the Roku platform brings together the video and related conversation that surrounds live events to the largest screen in the house,” Ryan Troy, product manager at Twitter, said in a statement. “Our new channel gives Roku’s audience an easy way to watch live events and see what people are talking about, keeping them connected to what’s happening.”
“Twitter live video streaming brings a new element to TV viewing with access to major league sports and other crowd-pleasing moments,” added Ed Lee, vice president of content acquisition at Roku. “Roku customers will enjoy access to major video moments for free.”
