Community discussions

[Iona-D]

Are you sure you really understand how Streaming (and even Roku) really works?  I mean the choice on using a stand alone app or signing up through a third party service (like Roku's one).  I think much of the bashing and griping one sees here and the online places all across the virtual world basically has it's beginning right here:.  

™.......As far as content offerings go, there’s no difference between signing up for Paramount+ via the Roku Channel or downloading the streamer’s standalone app on your streaming device. The price tiers for Paramount+ are also identical on the Roku Channel, which is $4.99 per month for the ad-supported version, and $9.99 per month for the ad-free version. However, there is a free seven-day trial for Paramount+ on the Roku Channel....."

From: https://www.engadget.com/paramount-plus-add-on-premium-roku-channel-130020230.html

So there it is.  My own Paramount Plus subscription is handled by stand alone apps running across the various devices I use to access content.  The Roku Channel is only on my Roku made devices and laptops.  All apples OR oranges here.  I choose not to mix and match.  Problems?  I contact Paramount Plus' own call center directly  myself.  Not waste time trying to change Roku in some way and/or to revive their own Call Center.  Not going to happen.  Not a money maker-actually a real financial drain-for them.

Holding one's breath only kills yourself, not spurring a large corporation to even take notice of individuals specific or as a group.

Roku does not offer that option anymore except mostly through rather self limiting options like emails.  Hence all these complaints and gripes growing in numbers.  So unnecessary.

[Iona-D]

Those of you who are waiting for anything beyond the inexpensive priced products or the actual OS from Roku will be sure to be vastly disappointed to having your debit/credit card being deducted all the time.  I prefer to and stress much to keep a nice rather wide distance between my charge cards and my apps.  I keep as much control over my purse strings especially now with all this instability of hyperinflation to economic slowdowns.

[Boz]

Although your posts are a little confusing, I think you're saying that it's better to subscribe to paid services directly through the services, such as Paramount+, Peacock, Disney+, etc., vs signing up for services like those through a 3rd party, like Roku, Amazon, Hulu, etc.

If I interpreted your posts correctly, I agree, and I do that in practice.

Sometimes I do feel a little bad, because I know that if I were to sign up for services through Roku, it would help support Roku, but without live customer support, either via phone or live chat, or both, I just can't expose myself to problems that 3rd party billing could create, and I also have to recommend that everyone sign up for the paid services they desire directly with the service providers, and not through any 3rd party.

[AvsGunnar]

In the rare instances that I purchase a paid subscription, I generally like to subscribe through Roku when possible.  However, I only watch TV when at home so do not need the subscription accessible to other devices.

However, if you want to be able to play your content on any device you own, and wherever you want to, then should really subscribe directly with the subscription provider.  

[Iona-D]

"........Although your posts are a little confusing, I think you're saying that it's better to subscribe to paid services directly through the services,.......I interpreted your posts correctly, I agree, and I do that in practice........"-Boz

Though I was never a professional writer like my sister is, I seem to communicate what I was concerned about to you.  Dealing with direct apps is exactly what people should be aware of and pay subscrition through/directly communicate with for the most part. 

I have seen way too many very avoidable problems caused by simply doing business with a third party service.  The vast time spent  trying to get in touch with, to getting the problem(s) resolved, is no "convenience" in any way a rational person understands.  Especially the wronged party (you) ends up doing all the work?  Insanity!

Why does anyone even bother with them in the first place?

[Iona-D]

AvaGunner-For most people (myself included) stream across various devices.  So direct apps it is.  The one thing I see cropping repeatedly over and over again is when a problem occurs.  Direct apps, you usually have a chat or a phone number to contact the service.  Email is not acceptable in this day and age of instantaneous communication.  Especially if my money is on the line (i.e. automatic withdrawing of funds from your bank account).  The less 3rd parties involved, the better.

Still, There should be more options available to choose from.

[demsd]

I've never had an issue getting support for any service I purchased via the Roku Channel. That being said, in some cases, what is being offered via the Roku Channel is less than what you'd get if you got it direct from the service. Examples include Paramount+. You can get Paramount+ and Showtime for $11.99/month via the Paramount+ website. You can get it via the Roku Channel. To be fair, you also can't get it via the Paramount+ channel either. Epix is another example. The cost is the same regardless of how you get it, but if you get it via the Roku channel, you'll only have access to two of the four live channels. So it is better to get it direct from Epix.