Forum Discussion

Warrenoh88's avatar
Warrenoh88
Newbie
4 years ago
Solved

Roku no longer supporting VidAngel

We watch nost of our shows and movies through VidAngel due to wanting to filter out unwanted language and sex scenes.  I just got a note that VidAngel will no longer be supported on Roku.  We bought ...
Vidangel
atc98092's avatar
atc98092
Community Streaming Expert
4 years ago

Just a point of clarification. Roku has not singled out VidAngel for deletion. They are removing all non-certified channels from all devices. This includes a large number of adult content as well. Basically, Roku is locking down their app support to only channels available within their certified channel store. It's pretty much identical to the way Apple controls access to the iOS and AppleTV platforms. 

As to why Roku won't certify VidAngel, that is puzzling. But I have trouble believing the developers were not told why it wouldn't pass certification. Roku is pretty open about their certification requirements. 

filmnikon's avatar
filmnikon
Reel Rookie
4 years ago

I just contacted Roku support to confirm and ask for any work-arounds.  I was assured that "existing customers" are not affected.  They weren't 100% clear but it seems as though users with VidAngel installed will continue to be able to use the app.  If you were to purchase a new Roku, however, you would not be able to install the app.

  • PastorC's avatar
    PastorC
    Channel Surfer
    4 years ago

    NOT GOOD ENOUGH! 😡

    A community needs to Care about others not just yourselves! Roku needs to fix this for our community!

    If anyone wants to call Roku to share their thoughts 816-272-8106

    • lizgood's avatar
      lizgood
      Newbie
      4 years ago

      We've used roku for years.  This is a short-sighted decision that's going to cost them in the end.  We love VidAngel!!

      • TSC1104's avatar
        TSC1104
        Newbie
        4 years ago

        Ditto.  We love Roku and we love VidAngel.  If I have to choose one over the other, it’ll have to be goodbye to Roku.  I can use Firestick if I have to, but there’s no replacement for VidAngel.  It’s one of a kind.

    • Aellynne's avatar
      Aellynne
      Newbie
      4 years ago

      VidAngel is why I purchased Roku in the first place. There is nothing else I watch that I can’t stream through my PS5.

      I will have to cancel Roku and find a different service that is willing to support VidAngel. So angry and disappointed at this decision. Very poor customer service.

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        4 years ago
        Aellynne wrote:

        I will have to cancel Roku and find a different service that is willing to support VidAngel. So angry and disappointed at this decision. Very poor customer service.

        There's nothing to cancel with your Roku. You don't pay a fee to use it. If you decide to give it away, make sure you do a factory reset before you do, so no one has access to your Roku account or any subscribed channels. It also removes all your personal information from the device.

    • Anonymous's avatar
      Anonymous
      4 years ago

      Roku won't take calls on this subject

      • Wraith1000's avatar
        Wraith1000
        Binge Watcher
        4 years ago

        Anonymous 

        Of course they won't. They have some kind of internal agreement with some studio, streaming provider, or Directors Guild of America.  A lot of them are against filtering of any kind. Even though it goes against their best interests, they want to force us to watch their filth.  Roku is in league with this.  Who is the author of filth?  Who do you serve by promoting and encouraging filthy content, Roku?

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    4 years ago
    filmnikon wrote:

    I just contacted Roku support to confirm and ask for any work-arounds.  I was assured that "existing customers" are not affected.  They weren't 100% clear but it seems as though users with VidAngel installed will continue to be able to use the app.  If you were to purchase a new Roku, however, you would not be able to install the app.

    This is not accurate. When they remove support for uncertified channels, they will be removed from all devices, regardless if they are previously installed. You will not be able to use the channel, because it will be removed completely from all devices. 

    • berby_chinagirl's avatar
      berby_chinagirl
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      I just talked to Roku Support via chat and they told me the same thing, that as long as the app is on my Roku device that it will continue to work. Then they told me that if the app gets deleted then I would need to contact the app developers to add the "non-certified" app to my Roku device using a code. So what is accurate, will it work or not? I would really love to continue using VidAngel on my Roku, but it sounds like if the VidAngel app doesn't get into the store then I need to get a firestick since the VidAngel app is in their store.

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        4 years ago
        berby_chinagirl wrote:

        I just talked to Roku Support via chat and they told me the same thing, that as long as the app is on my Roku device that it will continue to work. Then they told me that if the app gets deleted then I would need to contact the app developers to add the "non-certified" app to my Roku device using a code. So what is accurate, will it work or not? 

        That is not accurate. Whomever you were chatting with was not up to date with their information. Roku is removing support for ALL non-certified channels. Using a code to install a channel will no longer work, except for developers that process their channels through the official beta process. And beta channels will have limited access, so it's not a workaround for companies like this. 

        I registered as a developer several years ago, when I attempted to write a channel for a DLNA server. I received the following email from Roku on Jan 20. Note that it specifically states that you will not be able to launch non-certified channels, and that access codes will no longer work to install an unpublished channel:

        In October, Roku announced the sunsetting of non-certified channels, which will occur on February 23, 2022. We wanted to remind you that when the sunset occurs, all non-certified channels will be disabled across all Roku devices. This means that after February 23rd, 2022:

        • Users will no longer be able to install or launch non-certified channels.
        • Unpublished channels can no longer be installed via a vanity access code.
        • All non-certified channels will be removed from the Developer Dashboard.

        Before the sunset, developers can migrate their non-certified channels to beta or public channels.

        • Beta channels: Developers who currently use a non-certified channel as a mechanism for testing pre-release versions of their streaming channels can use the beta channel feature. Note that the limit on the number of beta channels that can be used by a developer account was increased from 2 to 10 in November. 

        • Public channels: Developers who want to continue providing uninterrupted access to the content on their non-certified channel at scale can migrate it to a public channel. 
    • berby_chinagirl's avatar
      berby_chinagirl
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      I just talked to Roku Support and they told me the same thing, that as long as the app is on my Roku device that it will continue to work. Then they told me that if the app gets deleted then I would need to contact the app developers to add the "non-certified" app to my Roku device using a code. So what is accurate, will it work or not?

      • tm2020's avatar
        tm2020
        Binge Watcher
        4 years ago

        That sounds like the process that is in place today - the announcement indicated that was changing at the end of the month. I think Roku support either didn't know the change was coming, or didn't understand what was being asked.

        Frankly, I would be very surprised if Roku only made the new policy effective for new app installs, and "grandfathered" in all the existing apps. Even if they did, though, that's not a good answer as it (1) prevents new users from getting the the VidAngel app going forward and (2) interferes with troubleshooting, when uninstall/reinstall of app may be required.

        The only reasonable solution here is for Roku to work with VidAngel to get an approved app published in the official Roku store.

  • AngryAnchovy's avatar
    AngryAnchovy
    Streaming Star
    4 years ago

    Although this would mean I could continue using VidAngel on existing Rokus, it's really bad news because it's inevitable that at some point I might need to restamp a channel by uninstalling it and reinstalling it to fix an issue or to upgrade my Roku to a new device...I have almost 10 Rokus in my home. I was just eyeing some of their newer models but if Roku really does pull this then I won't be coming back to their brand ever... I'm going to return all my Rokus to Costco. Who knows, maybe they'll still honor their return policy.🤞

  • DrHos's avatar
    DrHos
    Newbie
    4 years ago

    I guess that was a nice wish. My VidAngel disappeared last night and I'm being told there's no work around. I will be joining the others buying a new device for my TV. And VidAngel says they will give me a $30 credit when I do. Bye

  • Mineman's avatar
    Mineman
    Newbie
    4 years ago

    Nope... had it installed for months and now it's gone.

    • MichaelNC's avatar
      MichaelNC
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      PLEX is wonderful as a matter of fact besides VidAngel is the ONLY apps I use. I download everything I watch but really enjoyed the ease and convivence of the VidAngel app as it made watching TV with the family an activity again that we could ALL enjoy together. It let us filter out the FILTH that is now standard even on main stream networks like nbc, cbs and abc. But Roku has no cares for my family values or beliefs. But even if roku adds VidAngel back to their channel store DO NOT GO BACK TO THEM. Because if they take it once they WILL take it again. Find parallel alternatives. I will be glad to show anyone how to use PLEX and download ALL TV and Movies FREE and privately with NO repercussion's.

      • renojim's avatar
        renojim
        Community Streaming Expert
        4 years ago
        MichaelNC wrote:

         I will be glad to show anyone how to use PLEX and download ALL TV and Movies FREE and privately with NO repercussion's.

        And that's why private channels were removed.  What you're advocating is piracy plain and simple.

  • jay_GUNNER's avatar
    jay_GUNNER
    Newbie
    4 years ago

    Doesn't sound promising.