@anonymouse_oOOo wrote:
Roku could expand their support to more regions. Why won't they?...
Things are not always as simple as simply declaring you're going to sell stuff there. Each country has its own regulations regarding electronic devices. In the USA, there is the FCC, since the devices transmit and receive radio signals (WiFi, etc). In the UK, it's Ofcom. In other countries, it's whatever bureaucracy is in those countries.
And while not calling out any country, particularly none of those in the discussion so far, there are many where bribes and kickbacks are simply how things are done. I'm not declaring any moral superiority in the USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, or any of the other 11 countries where Roku has a presence (these things happen, but are illegal), but various cultures have different ways of doing business.
Some require certain presence in country, including manufacture or assembly percentages be maintained. There are a lot of different regulations and expectations from the various countries.
And when you manufacture or assemble in other countries, you have different USA regulations that then enter into the mix. There are certain parts that cannot be exported to other countries. There are tariffs, raising the cost of things. There are local labor demands. There are many many many things that have to all work just to sell a $30 streamer. And, after all is said and done, you have to make money.
It's not as easy as "just expand there." Yes, other companies have done this. But Apple, Amazon, and Google are a lot bigger companies with a lot more resources.
DBDukes
Roku Community Streaming Expert
Note: I am not a Roku employee.
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