Channels & viewing

[Umo1971]

Live TV used to show complete America’s Test Kitchen episodes. Now, it cuts away to play a static photo and the ATK theme music. When it goes back to the show, it is in the middle of the recipe. As a result, you never get the complete recipe to use for yourself. What is the point of cutting the content?

[MattNash]

It wasn't an issue in the past, the show picked up right where the "commercial breaks" left off. In the summer of 2023, the editing started to get choppy - just as the show was about to cut to commercial, there was about a 3 second repeat which was annoying but not terrible. Then in the fall of 2023, they started to drop 30 seconds to 2 minutes of the show - which sometimes ruins the entire segment of the program. I think it's getting worse. Not sure if there's someone new doing the editing or if there's a 3rd party who does it now (or if it was 3rd party and they brought the function in-house) but it's getting to the point where the channel is unwatchable.

[RokuJohnB]

Hi @Umo1971 @MattNash,

Welcome to the Roku Community!

We'd like to investigate this issue further. May we know what Roku device you are using right now? (Roku Express, Roku streaming stick, Roku Ultra, Roku stream bar, Roku TV-Specify) Do you have external devices connected to the back of your TV? (Antenna, cable box, satellite, etc.) What specific channel are you seeing this issue on?

With detailed information, we will be able to assist you further.

Thanks,

John

[GeneBeans]

I am also experiencing those same issues on Americas Test Kitchen channel.  ATK used to have the * option to start from the beginning; but since the summer or fall of 2023, Live TV on that channel can't be paused.

I'm using a couple different Roku devices.  One TV is a TCL with a built in Roku operating system.  Software version 12.5.0; Build 4176; Last Updated 11/1/23; Last Checked 1/15/24.  This last update is when it went really bad with the commercials cutting off show content.  It changed the static picture it used to show when it cut to commercial and now there is no countdown timer.  When it cuts back from commercial, the show is not where it left off.  When it changes to the next episode, we don't see opening credits.  The show is in progress when the "commercial" stops.

Two other TVs are using a Roku Ultra on each.  Software 12.5.0; Build 4178; Last Checked 1/15/24; Last Updated 11/2/23.  When these cut to commercial, they actually show a countdown timer along with rotating pictures of dishes ATK made.  Just before it cuts to a commercial, it will replay about 5 seconds of the show.  Then cut to commercial.  When it comes back, sometimes the show is not where it was when it left for commercial and is a few minutes into the next part of the show.

[RokuCarly]

Warmest welcome here in the Roku Community, @GeneBeans!

It is highly appreciated that you have reached out to us for assistance and we regret to hear about the experience. No worries! We're here to find you the best resolution possible.

Before proceeding, could you please confirm on which specific app have you observed this behavior aside from the Americas Test Kitchen channel? Also, what troubleshooting methods have you tried to resolve this behavior? If you can provide us with a video clip of it happening, it would be great. 

We'd like to know more about this so we can provide you with an accurate resolution. We'll be looking forward!

Best regards,
Carly

[BruceSB]

Yeah. This is only one example of a nauseating trend on Roku channels. About 2 years ago, ATK was one of the channels that allowed for "on demand" viewing (regardless of its actual scheduled time slot). These on demand shows are annotated with a "*" symbol. Pressing the * key would then switch to a 5 second countdown screen, and the show would begin. You could fast forward, reverse, whatever. AND, the quality of the video stream was superb. Well, just like a lot of other trashy decisions made by the overpaid, underqualified execs at Roku, they came to the conclusion that there was a way to make more money off of this, and other channels. So, the idiots removed the "on demand" capability for ATK, lessen by a huge degree the quality of the video, and loaded that channel with, well, the same repetitive, sickening commercials that leave us with about 15 minutes of show; the rest of the time allowing for looking for an antidote for the nausea.