Account, payments & subscriptions

[gumbleberry]

Can someone tell me what the **bleep** is the point of subscribing to various channels through Roku versus through the channels themselves? One would think that they would have the same benefits, but what Roku doesn't tell you is that you can't do sh*t with their mobile app. What if I want to watch an AMC+ original show on my iPhone while I'm sitting in an airport, for example? Nope. Not possible. For some stupid reason, the Roku app doesn't allow that and the Roku channel app doesn't even exist anymore. But you might think, "I'm sure I can download the AMC+ app and watch it on there with my Roku login, seeing as I PAY $9 A MONTH for the subscription." But nope. Impossible. However, if I had signed up through AMC+ directly, then I could watch on the AMC app, both on my home TV and on my iPhone. What a concept!

So again I ask, WHAT IS THE POINT OF SIGNING UP THROUGH ROKU?

[renojim]

About the only reasons I've come up with are that some people like to have all their subscriptions in one place and that it's convenient to have your subscriptions automatically be enabled on all of your Roku devices linked to the Roku account.  It's also easier to just start the subscription on your Roku device instead of having to create an account and add a payment method on some provider's website.  For people that only intend on using a channel/app on their Roku device, there's not much of a disadvantage to subscribing through Roku. None of the reasons I've come up with are enough for me personally, but to each his own.

[ddsell]

I am suspecting the content libraries also differ right now? I have a Roku Brit Box sub, and it will not play titles available via the route using the fully-BBC Managed app. That is a huge reason to NOT use Roku for subs... and I am digging to see if I am correct vs missing a way to find the titles on the Roku route and have come across very little info.

[RokuJechealR · Accepted solution]

Hi @ddsell,

Welcome, and thanks for your first post in the Roku Community!

Please be aware that for more information about the channel's features and functionality, you'll want to contact the channel provider support directly to inquire further. Many channels on Roku are developed and maintained by the channel providers themselves.

You can reach them here: Britbox Support.

All the best,
Chel

[Sjks_4]

Definitely frustrated by channels ONLY available through ROKU channel — even IF you can add the app, they do not work correctly unless you get it through ROKU.  Subscription prices are definitely higher and no other options exist to do better.  MONITOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS!! Two days wasted trying to stream a channel that I paid for directly through the app but would not let me login without paying again.  Only to find that if I get it through the ROKU app, it works, but at a higher price.

[timbuk2k]

Soooo, Roku can’t be bothered? You have to waste your time contacting the other provider just to find out, “Your bad! You shouldn’t have subscribed through Roku.”

And another reason NOT TO SUBSCRIBE through Roku. Roku tricks you into paid subscriptions. The PIN to prevent this is not dependable. And once you do accidentally subscribe to a channel, say FEV TV, you can NEVER REMOVE IT from your ROKU homepage. 

Once you learn you’ve subscribed to a Channel through ROKU you can “cancel” by turning off Autopay. GREAT, but if you accidentally select this eternal channel, ROKU quietly turns AUTOPAY back on. 

Watch your credit card statement!!

[TeeCee1970]

I know this is an old post but I have to ask. Is it possible to sign in to MAX at their website using my Roku subscription? Been searching but can't find the solution

[renojim]

@TeeCee1970, I can't give a definitive answer, but with some of these providers you can use the email address associated with your Roku account (displayed on your device with the subscription under Settings->System->About) and use the "Forgot password" option on the providers website.  They may send you a password that you can use on their website and other devices.  In general, if you subscribe to something through Roku you can only use that subscription on Roku devices and sometimes only on "The Roku Channel" app if the subscription is through that app.  Most here would recommend never subscribing to anything through a third party like Roku, Amazon, Apple, etc.