Roku TVs are Coming to a Best Buy Near You

What’s new, Roku?

If Roku (ROKU) TVs sound familiar, it’s because the company has released co-branded TVs for years. However, previously, it partnered with third-party manufacturers like Walmart (WMT) to produce them. In other words, the TVs used Roku’s software as a selling point, but the hardware was built and owned by other companies.

Now, the streaming box maker has released its own TVs, this time with a different kind of partner: an exclusive distributor. The new Roku TV features Roku’s voice remote, Bluetooth private listening, automatic brightness, and local dimming — plus, a big blue “Only at Best Buy” (BBY) sticker.

Moving Upstream

Historically, Roku has actually lost money on its hardware products, like its streaming dongles and TVs, which likely explains the pivot away from third-party manufacturers.

Also, exclusive distribution deals, like Roku’s newfound partnership with Best Buy, tend to ensure more favorable profit margins for both parties. So, Roku will almost certainly earn more per unit sold moving forward.

Additionally, owning the TVs will help Roku establish direct contact with its customers. This will allow the company to offer a higher quality of service, test new products with faster results, and upgrade its platform more efficiently. And, with 70 million active accounts in the US, the company has plenty of customers to contact.

Roku Upgrades

One of the biggest features to the new Roku TV is the planned launch of Local News. This news service will personalize news channels by location and allow users to stream channels from major metros. Roku has also announced a slew of updates to its mobile app and operating system.

If you’re in the market to upgrade your screen, the Roku TV will soon be hitting Best Buy shelves near you. But, if you’re not sold on it just yet, keep an eye out for more news. With the rollout of new products and features, Roku’s updates likely won’t stop anytime soon.

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