The Media Leader Podcast | Partner content
It has been a busy few months for Roku: in the UK, Roku launched 40 FAST channels on its platform in September; in the US this summer, it launched a new low-cost subscription service, Howdy, which aims to be supplementary to the likes of Netflix and Disney+.
In the company’s Q3 earnings last week, it revealed that total net revenue grew 14% year on year to $1.2bn. Platform revenue — inclusive of ad revenue — was up 17% to $1.1bn. In the US, video advertising growth on Roku’s platform outpaced the over-the-top and digital ad markets.
“By expanding integrations with third-party demand-side platforms (DSPs), we are increasing ad demand and meeting enterprise and other clients where they choose to transact,” the earnings report stated.
The company has emerged as a key partner for entertainment partners to increase the reach and viewability of their content, a goal that has become increasingly important in a fragmented TV landscape. And while Roku is already a major player in the US, there still remains a strong growth opportunity in the UK market.
Tom Price is the content distribution director at Roku. He joins host Jack Benjamin to discuss the latest developments at Roku, what makes the UK TV market unique, and how the company has developed a toolkit of advertising opportunities for its content partners.
This is part one of a two-part conversation — be on the lookout later in the year for a follow-up interview with Roku’s EMEA ad sales director, Mike Shaw.
Listen now by hitting the play button or use the appropriate entry point into Spotify, Apple or Google Podcasts:
Thanks to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode. Discover how Trisonic can elevate your brand and expand your business by connecting with your ideal audience.
Highlights
3:11: Roku’s UK positioning: the pace of change, growth opportunities, FAST strategy.
10:03: Cutting through the noise of a crowded streaming market.
14:58: Howdy: Roku’s US ad-free SVOD option.
17:48: How Roku works with its content partners.
25:07: What’s next? Streaming market expansion and consolidation, FAST growth, new features.
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