In Part 1, I compared YouTube and Roku on content safety, audience loyalty, and monetization – and found that while YouTube offers unmatched reach, Roku fosters deeper loyalty and stronger monetization per viewer. I concluded that savvy creators often use both: for example, using YouTube for broad discovery and Roku as a premium channel for loyal fans.
How to Create a TV Channel That Attracts Sponsors (Without Begging for Their Money)
I vividly remember the moment I realized just how much the TV landscape had changed. In early 2025, Fox’s free streaming channel Tubi delivered a staggering 13.6 million viewers to the Super Bowl broadcast – something unthinkable just a few years prior. It was a wake-up call: streaming TV channels (often called FAST channels, for Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) have gone mainstream, and
Owning a Roku Channel – Profits in Hard Times
I’ve spent the last decade watching Roku TV channels evolve from a scrappy niche to a booming business opportunity. Ten years ago, owning a Roku channel felt experimental – now it can feel like striking gold, if you play it right. In this paper, I’ll share how the gross economic value of owning a third- party Roku TV channel soared over the past decade, spiked during the pandemic, and
How to Get Your First 1000 Installations – Subscribers for Your TV Channel
I remember launching my first streaming TV channel and eagerly waiting for those download numbers to tick up. Getting your first 1,000 installations (or subscribers) is one of the toughest – and most crucial – hurdles when starting a new channel. You have no brand recognition, no word-of-mouth, and you’re competing with thousands of other channels for attention. Yet, with the right game
TV Channel Promotion Explained – Branding the Channel vs. Marketing the Shows
I’m excited to share some insights I’ve gathered about promoting a TV channel – and why it’s a must-do for every TV channel owner or developer. I’ll also dive into how promoting your channel as a whole is different from promoting individual TV content. As someone who’s been down this road, I can say this: understanding these differences changed the game for me. So let’s get into it. Introduction
Building a Roku TV Channel Network – Why More Channels Mean More Money
Hey there! If you’ve ever wondered what a “TV channel network” is on Roku and why it can supercharge your streaming income, you’re in the right place. I’ve been exploring the Roku platform for a while, and I can tell you from experience: the more channels you unite under one network, the more money you can potentially make. Let’s dive into what a Roku
What Top Earners Do Differently with Their Roku Channels
When I first dipped my toes into the Roku world, I quickly learned that success isn’t just about having a channel – it’s about running it right. Over the years, I’ve observed what the top-earning Roku channel owners do differently. Spoiler: there’s no magic cheat code, just smart strategies and a willingness to ask for help when needed. In this article, I’ll share those key strategies – from mastering ad monetization and content strategy
The Beginner’s Guide to Sponsorships
If you’re new to the sponsorship game or looking to level up your approach, this guide is for you. I’ll walk you through how I secure sponsors, what works (and what doesn’t), and how the sponsorship landscape is evolving in 2026 and beyond. Sponsorships have become a big deal for TV channels of all sizes. Why? Well, budgets are tighter and advertisers have high expectations these days. Many
How to Turn Your TV Channel Viewers into Loyal Fans
When I first launched my TV channel, I figured if we just aired great shows, viewers would naturally stick around. Easy, right? Well, not quite. In today’s world of endless channels and streaming apps, people hop around like never before. (Fun fact: streaming now makes up almost half of all TV viewing time, and over half of
How to Turn Your Roku Channel into Six Passive Income Streams
Welcome to a new “article”. I’m excited to share with you today some of the ways I’ve been making money (even while I sleep) with my Roku TV channel. Not theory, or maybe’s, what if’s. What I actually apply for some of my channels and what we implement for our clients. When I first started, I had no clue a channel could become a steady revenue source. I figured I’d maybe run a few ads – but wow, there
Roku’s Decade of Evolution – Past, Present & Future of the Platform for Content Creators
Roku in 2026 stands as a leading TV streaming platform, offering content creators unparalleled reach and a robust developer ecosystem. Over the past 10 years, Roku transformed from a hardware-centric company into a platform powerhouse that connects ~90 million streaming households worldwide (over 80 million active accounts by end of 2023). This rapid growth – a 5× increase in user base from 2017 to 2022 alone – is
Why You Need a Roku Device Linked to Your Developer Account (It’s Not Optional)
When I first set out to publish a Roku channel, I was surprised to learn that having a Roku device linked to my developer account is absolutely mandatory. This isn’t just a random hurdle – it’s by design. A couple of years back (around 2021), Roku changed their policy to require that the owner of any Roku
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