Roku Developer Program

[caldev]

Well, it’s happened. After silently changing the terms and conditions without notifying developers some time ago, they’ve changed the payouts to 60 days instead of 30.

Before this mess started I found an employment listing for the accountant for Roku. I assume whoever had this running smooth for years was replaced and the new person is finding it difficult to manage manual payments to everyone (of course it would be difficult).

My primary concern is that before this change, if they miss a payment they don’t immediately fix the issue and pay, they wait until the next payment cycle. So now, if they miss a payment it will take even longer to fix any payout issues (2-6 months).

My other concern is that Apps and Channels prominence on the Roku has been hidden and has been replaced by free streaming tv and major brand streaming channels instead of prominently displaying independent publisher content. The recent and updated apps is never correct. There is an influx of adult content that no one is moderating. It’s much harder to find a channel or app created by a developer on the Roku now. The focus does not seem to be on the developer community or developer created apps and channels anymore.

[caldev]

The email:

Dear Developer,

As of May 31, 2024, in connection with Roku’s Partner Payouts Program, your Roku Pay payout schedule has been adjusted. As a result, you are now scheduled to receive monthly payouts 60 days after the month closes.

For example, payouts owed for May 2024 will be sent by July 31st, payouts owed for June 2024 will be sent by August 31st, and so on. Payouts will continue in this manner pending any other changes to your Roku Pay payout schedule.

[newchannel]

I received the same email this morning. Will certainly be an adjustment for us all after being on monthly payouts.

[cocotower]

As for this adult material you mentioned. The problem is 99% all the corporate channels now pushing more and more porn-grade movies and content.  We can't deny this.  They're the ones doing it, and Roku, Amazon, all the other platforms seem to be totally okay with it.  Things are a bit off the rails in 2024 with all the sick content we can't avoid any more, and I truly hate that this is where we're at today.  Again, it's not a small group or sole developer who's the problem.  It's 100% Big Hollywood, and is the very reason I've boycotted every single channel that's pushing unspoken behavior.  I hope you weren't implying anybody other than the true evil giants.

[cocotower]

So according to this e-mail, maybe just maybe the currently due payments will be issued prior to the new 60-day scheme.  Anybody want to hold their breath until May 31?

"As of May 31, 2024, in connection with Roku’s Partner Payouts Program, your Roku Pay payout schedule has been adjusted. As a result, you are now scheduled to receive monthly payouts 60 days after the month closes."

[renojim]

The way I look at it, nothing has really changed.  The "60 day" expression has been in the agreement for a few years.  Maybe the inquiries that they repeated get on why payments are "late" finally pushed them to send out the email.  I assume at worst we'll see one month without a payment and then monthly payments (that just happen to be 60 days after the close of the particular month the payment covers) after that.

[cocotower]

Let's just hope that one day they go to a fully automated system like the other platforms.

[steveintheukok]

Things not feeling very stable at Roku.

Lots of job losses, payments turning up frequently late and now this.

are Roku in trouble? It doesn’t sound good.

i certainly have felt over the last few years that I’m being pushed farther and farther away and that my channels are a burden to Roku. Development of multiple new Roku exclusive products were ceased here some time ago and even currently active products are now under the microscope.

[Wallattic]

Anyone else not get paid by July 31st or Aug 1st for May 2024?

[caldev]

Payments sent out on Monday for PayPal, but it looks like everyone using ACH got the shaft.