Features, settings & updates

[RobBob1]

I have noticed that when I do searches in ROKU. The show I want to see shows up. But never on ROKU. It is like ROKU is just advertising for all the other channels. Why would I want to pay $9.99 for 10 different channels. Then have to pay $70.00 or more for internet. That's $169.90 a month for TV plus my regular TV. If ROKU is not showing a show why are the directing us to a channel we don't have. I call foul. 

Ask me if I would like to search other channels if it is not on ROKU. Don't show the movie like you have it then pass me off that a pay channel. 

[AvsGunnar · Accepted solution]

@RobBob1 

Generally, all the viewing options for a given title will be returned from a Search.  If available for free, will be listed among the Results indicating Free.  If not streaming for free, then the options for rental, purchase, or joining a subscription channel which is licensed to provide the title will be listed.

As a general rule, New releases (ie. new movies) will rarely, if ever be offered for Free.  

As for showing all the other services in the Search results, this is what originally drew me to Roku, as early Roku was a neutral service and didn't promote itself or play favorites in the Search Results.  It simply provided the platform and the means to gain access to the content to any channel/service that was offering it. (up for debate whether these early ideals are still in place).

[Strega]

Are you talking about the search on the home screen or a search within the Roku Channel?  I don't use the Roku Channel myself, so if the main menu search screen only searched that, then it wouldn't be very useful to me.  But I think a search within an individual channel/app should return results for that channel/app. (Including The Roku Channel if that's where you are searching.)

Lately, especially with the search redesign, I'm using websites like justwatch to find stuff.

[RobBob1]

I am talking about inside Roku channel. Why else would I have brought it up. If I were do a broad scope search of all the channels then I would expect to get results from all the channels. But when I am in Roku and do a search for say like Jack Reacher. I should not be directed to a pay Channel Roku should just say they don't have it or show no results.

[RobBob1]

Your response really doesn't make sense if I am in my HBO Max and I do a search and they do not have what I'm looking for they do not suggest I look at Paramount. Or suggest I look at Roku. It just comes back as no results if I am in Roku Channel and do a search why am I directed to say Paramount or Disney or one of any other 10 channels instead of just coming back with no results.

Roku is just advertising for the other channels they no longer have movies. I did a search for Jack Reacher which has nothing to do with new shows.  It directed me to another pay Channel.

[Strega]

---

@RobBob1 wrote:

I am talking about inside Roku channel. Why else would I have brought it up.

---

Well, "in ROKU" and "on ROKU" were just a little too vague for me to be sure since that sounds more like the device to me.  Sorry.  I don't use "The Roku Channel" so I have no idea about its details. 

[renojim]

@RobBob1, there are many "Premium" channels available within "The Roku Channel".  Any search within "The Roku Channel" will display results for those premium channels.  Roku gets a significant cut of those subscriptions, so of course they're going to suggest them to you.