Channels & viewing

[markblosser]

So let's say I sign up for the current AMC+ 2 month special.  Can I watch AMC+ on my laptop or desktop through the Roku Channel? 

If yes, then that means I could mirror the streaming AMC+ content from Roku Channel through the laptop to any TV using an HDMI cable.  Meaning I didn't need a Roku TV or a Roku device to watch the Roku Channel content.  I just need a Roku account, to pay for the AMC+ content, and then to connect my laptop to my TV and mirror what's playing on the Roku Channel (from AMC+) onto my TV screen.

Is this correct?

[atc98092]

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@markblosser wrote:

So let's say I sign up for the current AMC+ 2 month special.  Can I watch AMC+ on my laptop or desktop through the Roku Channel? 

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If you subscribe through Roku, then you can only view the service on a Roku device linked to your account. This means no access via web browser (The Roku Channel is available via a webpage, but I can't say for certain if subscriptions can be viewed that way), no access on other streaming devices, and no access on Roku devices that are linked to someone else's account. 

[Bbaker723]

thanks for not responding to how we can watch Roku channel on a Windows PC, jerk.

[atc98092]

@Bbaker723 the question wasn't about The Roku Channel. That can be viewed on anything with a web browser, including phones, tablets, and computers. And that has been stated here more than once already. The question was about viewing Roku content on a computer. In general, that can't be done. Now, there are providers available on Roku that also have web access, such as Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and many more. But no Roku is needed to do that, so it's not a Roku question.

If someone subscribes to something through Roku, then that content can only be viewed on a Roku device that is linked to the same user account that is tied to the subscription. You cannot connect a Roku player to a computer and view the content on the computer screen. You can connect a Roku player to any display that has an HDMI port, but no computer is involved with that connection. 

Now, do you have a specific question, or are you simply here to cast insults?

[HDMIGuy]

@Bbaker723 First of all the last question was not about how to watch the Roku channel on a Window's PC.  The question was about watching a channel subscribed through Roku on a computer.  Your disgusting remark is completely uncalled for.   Next time ask a question and skip the smart *** remarks.  You will get an answer.

However if you do want to watch the Roku channel on a window's PC just login to your Roku account on the PC and under what to watch select The Roku Channel.   You're Welcome.

[rodling]

The fact that 1 channel, the Roku channel, is watchable on a PC seems to indicate it is technically possible to watch Roku content on a PC but they only allow 1 channel that ability.

[JWS9518]

@rodling 

For the 3rd party channels/broadcasters/providers, it would be up to them to have a website for viewing their respective broadcasts on PC.  

[atc98092]

@rodling The Roku Channel web site has nothing to with owning and using a Roku. You don't even need a Rou account to use the web version. You are not watching Roku "content" when using TRC web site. Yes, it's the same content that's available on a Roku device, but it's also available on Samsung TVs and Android streaming players as well. 

Content that is available "on" a Roku is only available via a web page if the provider makes it available. You cannot get Roku "content" displayed on a computer from the Roku player itself. 

[rodling]

@atc98092  I understand all of that, but the word "can't" has a meaning in the English language which is distinct from "won't" or "not allowed" so just wondering what's more appropriate in terms the inability to play roku device content on a PC.

Saying the onus is on providers to enable it implies Roku itself can't (or won't) do it.

[JWS9518]

@rodling 

The distinction with Roku is that it is not a provider in the sense of providers like a cable company.  To broadcast other content/channels that they don't own would require them to get permission by licensing those channels, which would be costly to do.  Most likely they want to focus on the device aspect of things as the provider market is extremely crowded and is starting to shrink due to a number of those providers not making money and/or struggling to stay afloat.  Several large companies have figured out that the crowded market is not making them money and have either merged with other companies or just outright disappeared.