Channels & viewing

[tm2020]

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.

[berby_chinagirl]

I completely agree! It does sounds like not everyone at Roku is aware of the coming changes. I really hope Roku will approve the VidAngel app in their store!

[atc98092]

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@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? 

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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that you will not be able to launch non-certified channels, and that access codes will no longer work to install an unpublished channel: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• Unpublished channels can no longer be installed via a vanity access code.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. 

[Nater662]

This is Sad.

Vidangel settled in court a year ago and Roku pulls them out? Why now????

I purchased 3 Roku for the sole purpose of using Vidangel. My wife is pretty sensitive to movies and Vidangel has saved me from argument more times then I remember. So sad.

Anyone want to buy a used Roku or two? 

[Steverino1]

Other than this Community forum, is there a more direct route for us thousands of disappointed VidAngel/Roku users to encourage Roku to work with VidAngel rather than continue to reject it?

[elaineclau]

Our family has been buying and using Rokus for over a decade. We currently have about five Roku devices being used regularly. I just want Roku to certify VidAngel because I have no idea what to do if they don't. This is no the news I wanted.

[PastorC]

I just got this back from VidAngel Support desk and they are unaware of this work around...

Re: Roku devices grandfathered to work after Feb 23rd... (This isn't True)

Feb 7, 2022, 

Hello C,

Thanks for your response. I'm sorry for any confusion.

The information they that user is contradictory to what they have let us know in our correspondence with them. We were told in the past that VidAngel would no longer work on their devices come February 23rd.

However, this is something that we are working on investigating. If it does turn out that our customers can continue to use apps that they have already downloaded, we will be sure to send out notifications of that.

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Andrew
VidAngel Support

[PastorC]

Maybe a phone call? 

Support number for Roku, if you like: 816-272-8106

[atc98092]

The information from VidAngel is accurate. After Feb 23 all non-certified channels will cease to work. Don't be surprised it they are completely removed from your device. See the email I quoted above from Roku Development about non-certified channels. 

[HerrimanCoder]

I just learned that Roku will be disallowing the Vidangel channel beginning on 2/23/2022!

Read about it here: https://blog.roku.com/developer/beta-channels

This is a terrible thing. Presumably this decision is a way to ban porn (I'm all in favor of that), but they will also be banning Vidangel, while not allowing them to become a "certified" channel. According to Vidangel support, Roku has given Vidangel no reason why their channel cannot become certified.

Vidangel allows users to filter out excessive violence, extreme profanity, etc. It's a great service, and Roku users have complete control over what (and whether) to filter.

I do hope Roku will allow Vidangel to become a certified channel rather than killing them from the platform!