Following the success of shows like Downton Abbey, America is in a tizzy over British drama and mystery – but it’s not always easy to find international shows in the states. Thankfully, it’s simpler than ever to channel your inner anglophile from the comfort of home with Acorn TV on Roku.
Settle in, pour yourself a spot of tea and enjoy over 125 hours of hit British series like Upstairs, Downstairs, Brideshead Revisited, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot. You can preview clips, catch up on past seasons or devour series marathons.
You can add Acorn TV to your Roku player here or find it in the Channel Store under “Movies & TV.” Try it out now with a 30-day FREE trial!
We’re excited to announce that comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White’s brand new, unseen TV special, “A Little Unprofessional,” is now streaming exclusively on Roku in the U.S.!
Best known as the cigar-smoking, scotch-swilling funnyman from the record-breaking “Blue Collar Comedy Tour,” Ron White has established himself as the cream of the comedic crop with two Grammy nominations, a Gold Record, and three of the top rated one-hour TV specials in Comedy Central history. Now, he’s made it simpler than ever for fans to stream his new comedy special on demand – just purchase the $5 special at RonWhiteSpecial.com, add the free Ron White channel to your Roku player, and instantly enjoy 80 minutes of uncut, uncensored, scotch-fueled hilarity on your living room TV.
Make sure to follow @RokuPlayer on Twitter and stay tuned this Friday for the chance to win one of two $300 VIP packages, including a premium seat ticket to any Ron White show and a “200 Proof” VIP Experience Meet & Greet with the man himself! Ron White performs over 100 live shows a year, so chances are high that he’s coming to your town. Don’t miss out.
Movie buffs rejoice! As of today, VUDU’s subscription-free video streaming service is available on Roku.
VUDU brings thousands of new releases, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV shows to the Roku platform in vibrant HD. The VUDU channel is free to Roku users, and you’ll even score a free $5.99 video credit when you link your player!
With the VUDU channel on Roku, you can:
Browse and filter titles by name, genre, release date, most watched, top picks, video quality, MPAA rating, studio, purchase option or Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer rating.
Search for either titles or people
Check out video extras, cast and crew filmographies, critics’ reviews and a list of similar titles for movies
View free trailers for many movies
Preview the first two minutes of a title and test your Internet connection speed to make sure you rent/buy the best resolution video for your network
Add a movie, TV show or TV episode to your VUDU Wishlist for later viewing
Enjoy HD titles in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound (pass-through only)
Available now on all Roku 2 models, the current-generation Roku HD (model #2500) and Roku LT players in the U.S., VUDU will be coming to the Roku Streaming Stick in October. You can add the VUDU channel here or find it in the Movies & TV section of the Roku Channel Store.
The official Roku mobile app just became the best remote in the house.
We know what you’re thinking – you can already use the app to replay favorite movie moments, browse the Channel Store and launch channels with the tap of a finger. How could it possibly get better? Well, now you can stream your carefully curated music playlists and flattering family photos straight from your iPhone or Android device to your living room big screen with our brand new Play on Roku feature. Yes, it’s true. You can even set your photos to music. Did we mention that it’s free?
International customers will be happy to hear that as of later today, the app will be available in the UK, Canada and Ireland. We’ve also added improved device discovery, the ability to voice launch channels on Android (look ma, no hands!), and the option to give unique names to multiple Roku players. Be as creative as you want – we won’t judge.
Sound too good to be true? Check out this video demo from Tom Markworth, our dashing director of product management.
If you haven’t tried our updated mobile app yet, you can download it now from the iTunes App Store and later today on Google Play. Play on Roku works with all Roku 2 models, the current-generation Roku HD player (model #2500), and Roku LT (models #2400 and 2450), as well as the upcoming Roku Streaming Stick.
Still have questions? We’ve got answers right here. We’d love to hear what you think, so please let us know at feedback@roku.com. And you know what they say – if you like it then you better put a rating on it.
This weekend is all about you – it’s time to slow down, sleep in, play hard and stay up late. We’ve got a great list of new releases to help you relax and unwind, so kick back and stream on!
Amazon Instant Video New Releases:
Snow White and the Huntsman- Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewartstar in this classic fairy tale turned action-adventure epic. (2012)
What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Inspired by the best-selling book, this heartfelt comedy follows five couples dealing with the challenges of impending parenthood. (2012)
Sons of Anarchy Season 5- In the Season 5 premiere, Jax presides over SAMCRO as a series of events begin to unravel. (2012)
Amazon Prime Instant Video New Releases:
Thor- The mighty Marvel hero reignites an ancient war, falling in love in the process. (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger- Steve Rogers, a sickly man from Brooklyn, is transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. (2011)
Rango- An imaginative chameleon lands in a Western town plagued by bandits and is forced to reinvent himself to protect it. (2011)
Hulu Plus New Releases:
The Inbetweeners- MTV’s new scripted comedy series features a group of teenagers navigating high school and charging into adulthood the way everyone does…by taking one step forward and three steps back. (2012)
The New Normal: Sofa’s Choice- Nana tracks down Goldie’s ex-husband, while we learn the story of how David and Bryan met. (2012)
From Martha’s Kitchen- Martha Stewart’s most popular recipes, techniques, and tips for simple weeknight meals and easy entertaining. (2003)
Netflix New Releases:
Marley- Featuring dozens of interviews, electrifying concert performances and rare footage, this documentary explores the music, life and legacy of reggae icon Bob Marley. (2012)
Abduction- A teenager finds his childhood picture on a missing persons website and begins to wonder about the people he assumed were his parents. (2011)
The Vampire Diaries Season 3- In its third spooky season, the teen drama series sheds an eerie light on the mysterious and blood-soaked past of rival vampire siblings Stefan and Damon. (2011)
Crackle New Releases:
Universal Soldier: Regeneration- Reactivated to fight terrorists, Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) comes face to face with a more powerful upgrade of his former adversary (Dolph Lundgren) in this action packed sequel from director Peter Hyams. (2011)
Ultraviolet- Milla Jovovich is hell-bent for vengeance in an unruly comic book version of The Matrix on speed. (2006)
Easy Rider- Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper bring the ‘60s counterculture to the big screen, changing Hollywood forever. (1969)
Fandor New Releases:
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia- After a brutal murder takes place, a group of local officials and the suspected culprit scour the Turkish countryside for the victim’s corpse in this dark crime mystery (2012)
The Fever of ’57- This Cold War/Space Race documentary features never before seen footage of the Sputnik launch, America’s failed Vanguard rocket project and Laika the space dog! (2007)
Love and Anarchy- A simple farmer and an anarchist prostitute plot to kill Mussolini. Giancarlo Giannini’s performance won him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival (1973)
Today, we’ve released a minor software update for Roku 2, Roku LT and new Roku HD players. Our goals with this release are to get your player ready for some upcoming channels and to fix a number of small issues.
Here’s what you can expect from Roku software 4.8 builds 3339 (Roku 2, Roku LT) and 3340 (new Roku HD):
Support for several new channels and channel updates to launch later this year
Improved standard definition (480p) playback on the new Roku HD
Improved MLB.TV playback
A number of bug fixes and performance optimizations
The update will be pushed automatically to all Roku 2, Roku LT and new Roku HD players over the next 48 hours. To update manually, simply select Settings > Software update > Check now on your Roku player.
Fall is in the air, and we’re looking forward to changing leaves, crisp breezes, and cozy movie nights. This week’s epic lineup of new releases is perfect for the latter – cuddle up on the couch and enjoy. Happy streaming!
Amazon Instant Video New Releases:
The Cabin In The Woods- Purchase this unconventional thriller in HD before it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray, or wait two weeks and rent it – either way, prepare to have your mind blown. (2012)
The Five-Year Engagement- An irreverent, goofy romantic comedy about an engaged couple who keep getting tripped up on their long walk down the aisle. (2012)
Girlfriend Confidential: LA Season 1- Four successful best friends help each other navigate the tumultuous waters of love, celebrity life and the entertainment industry. (2011)
Amazon Prime Instant Video New Releases:
Super 8- A group of young movie-makers stumble upon a catastrophic train crash and soon discover that it’s just one piece of a larger, much more terrifying truth. (2011)
Iron Man 2- Robert Downey Jr. returns as beloved billionaire bachelor Tony Stark in a solid sequel to the superhero blockbuster. (2010)
True Grit- The Coen brothers’ classic western remake delivers on all fronts with great acting, beautiful cinematography and the perfect balance of comedy and adventure. (2010)
Hulu Plus New Releases:
Grimm: Quill- While investigating an accident site, Nick comes upon a bizarre and gruesome disease that is spreading quickly. (2012)
The Promise: Pilot- This gripping new Hulu exclusive series examines the origins of the Middle East conflict in events that took place under British rule sixty years ago. (2012)
Hotel Hell: The Roosevelt- Ramsay checks into the Roosevelt Inn, a former elementary school that’s now over $1 million in debt. (2012)
Netflix New Releases:
Scandal Season 1- Sleep with an intern? Accused of murder? Olivia Pope and her crisis management team can keep any skeleton in the closet. (2012)
Braveheart- “Every man dies; not every man really lives.” Mel Gibson’s Oscar-winning medieval drama is still one of our all-time favorites. (1995)
Tommy Boy- Holy Schnikes! Chris Farley and David Spade’s raunchy 90′s comedy brings out the inner teenager in all of us. (1995)
Crackle New Releases:
The Devil’s Chair- A twisted, tightly-wound supernatural horror flick splattered with inventively gory special effects. (2008)
We Own the Night- A-list talent led by Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg show their mettle in a cool cops and robbers riff on Cain & Abel. (2007)
Donnie Brasco- Johnny Depp and Al Pacino’s riveting chemistry takes this gripping, faithfully fact-based mobster masterpiece to another level. (1997)
Fandor New Releases:
PressPausePlay- This documentary explores the digital revolution of the last decade, featuring interviews with filmmaker Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture), Swedish pop singer Robyn, Napster-founder Sean Parker and more. (2011)
Art House- Starring indie darling Greta Gerwig and The Stooges’ Iggy Pop, this indie comedy takes place in an artist-inhabited communal house that is slated to be turned into housing for the college golf team. (2010)
Slug 660- Director Todd Rohal delivers an avant-garde working-class tale that’s like The Grapes of Wrath but dirtier. (1998)
Labor Day weekend is here, and it’s time for an adventure! If you’re traveling, make sure to bring your Roku along – after you’ve had your fill of fun outside, we’ve got a great movie night lineup for your vacation viewing pleasure. Happy streaming!
Amazon Instant Video New Releases:
Dr Who Season 7- Amy and Rory return for their final, rollercoaster voyage with the Doctor – but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure? Catch the premiere on Amazon Instant Video this Sunday. (2012)
Homeland Season 1- When an American soldier returns 10 years after he was presumed dead in Iraq, suspicions arise as to whether he was a hero or a terrorist. (2012)
Boardwalk Empire Season 2- Steve Buscemi stars in the hit drama series that charts the continued rise of organized crime at the dawn of Prohibition. (2011)
Amazon Prime Instant Video New Releases:
Heroes Seasons 1-4- This epic TV drama chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities… for a destiny they have yet to find. (2009)
Parenthood Seasons 1-3- From the Oscar-winning team of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind) comes a TV dramedy about the challenges of life, love and parenthood. (2011)
30 for 30 Season 1- Inspired by ESPN’s anniversary, ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 is an unprecedented documentary series featuring films from some of today’s finest storytellers. (2009)
Hulu Plus New Releases:
Go On- Friends alum Matthew Perry returns as a sports talk show host attending group therapy to cope with the death of his wife. (2012)
The Mindy Project- The Office’s Mindy Kaling stars as a successful doctor in search of her own rom-com ending. (2012)
Ben and Kate- Mismatched siblings Kate (Dakota Johnson) and Ben (Nat Faxon) come together to raise Kate’s young daugher. (2012)
Netflix New Releases:
Parks and Recreation Season 4- Why not relive all of Ron Swanson’s epic one-liners while you’re waiting for Season 5 to premiere in September? (2011)
Parenthood Seasons 1-3- Four grown siblings juggle parenthood, relationships, careers and more in this sharp, realistic comedy series. (2011)
Traffic- Interlacing three disturbing snapshots of America’s drug war, this Oscar-winning saga follows a U.S. drug lord, a Mexican cop and a housewife (2000)
Crackle New Releases:
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee- Jerry Seinfeld’s special guest this week is actor and comedy writer Bob Einstein. (2012)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind- Spielberg’s awe-inspiring alien-encounter flick is the mothership of all UFO movies. Watch it on Crackle starting Sept 1st. (1977)
La Femme Nikita-French director Luc Besson’s slick thriller about a vicious street junkie (Anne Parillaud) turned lethally dangerous hitwoman is arguably the best female assassin flick of all time. (1991)
Fandor New Releases:
Frame 313- The JFK assassination is revisited – with a handful of alternate theories – in this conspiracy-minded documentary about that fateful day in November 1963. (2008)
!Women Art Revolution- Independent film maker Lynn Hershman Leeson’s intimate look at the history of feminist art features such luminaries as Miranda July, Marina Abramovic, Yoko Ono and Cindy Sherman. (2010)
Poison- A landmark of Queer cinema, Todd Haynes’s (Velvet Goldmine, Far from Heaven) indie triptych mixes varied moods and cinematic styles to tell three unsettling stories of society’s outsiders. (1991)
Fall is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean summer fun has to end! Treat yourself to a carefree streaming marathon with this weekend’s lineup of great new releases. As always, if you have suggestions for the perfect lazy Sunday flick, please post ‘em in the comments. Happy streaming!
Amazon Instant Video New Releases:
Hunger Games- In the powerful film adaptation of the best-selling book, 16-year-old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games. (2012)
The Lorax- From the creators of Despicable Me, this charming adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss tale is a must for family movie night. (2012)
Copper Season 1- This gripping drama follows a rugged Irish immigrant cop as he seeks justice for the powerless in the notorious immigrant neighborhood of Five Points. (2012)
Amazon Prime Instant Video New Releases:
Parks and Recreation Seasons 1-4- Leslie Knope takes on defensive bureaucrats, cranky neighbors and single-issue fanatics with Ron Swanson (reluctantly) by her side (2011)
Friday Night Lights Seasons 1-5- NBC’s compelling sports drama focuses on the small town of Dillon, Texas, where football is everything. (2011)
Battlestar Galactica Seasons 1-4- The sole human survivors of a devastating nuclear attack are forced to flee under the protection of their one remaining warship, the Battlestar Galactica. (2008)
Netflix New Releases:
Super 8- A suspenseful supernatural tale about six kids who witness something incredible while shooting a movie with their Super 8 camera. (2011)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi- This delectable documentary profiles sushi chef Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old master whose 10-seat, $300-a-plate restaurant is legendary among Tokyo foodies. (2011)
The Motorcycle Diaries- Gael Garcia Bernal rides from Argentina to Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela in this beautifully shot biopic based on the memoirs of a young Che Guevara (2004)
Hulu Plus New Releases:
Grimm: The Kiss- As Nick and his mother continue to battle the Mauvais Dentes, Monroe and Rosalee fight against the clock to save Juliette. (2012)
Rookie Blue: The Rules- Andy and Nick investigate when a drug lord threatens a priest’s life. (2012)
Saving Hope: A New Beginning- Dana takes Joel on a head-clearing road trip, while Charlie explores whether an emotional block is keeping him comatose. (2012)
Crackle New Releases:
Quarantine- A reporter and her cameraman are trapped in downtown Los Angeles when a mysterious, deadly, and highly contagious strain of rabies breaks out. (2008)
Missionary Man- Dolph Lundgren writes, directs, and stars as a mysterious scripture-slinging vigilante in this modern-day western. (2008)
Seinfeld- This month’s hilarious featured episodes of the classic sitcom cover everything from parking to murder. (1998)
Fandor New Releases:
Double Dare- Live vicariously through wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am Hollywood stunt women Jeannie Epper (Foxy Brown, Wonder Woman) and Zoe Bell (Xena: Warrior Princess, Kill Bill, Grindhouse) in this action-packed documentary (2004)
Street of Crocodiles- With no strings to hold him down, a newly freed puppet wanders a dark and unforgiving world in this nightmarish stop-motion animated short (1986)
The Saphead- Buster Keaton is Bertie Van Alstyne, the spoiled scion of a Wall Street financier, in this slapstick comedy set in post WWI New York society (1920)
After a long week, Saturday feels like a stream come true! Kick back and enjoy fall TV premieres, new blockbusters and more with this weekend’s entertainment roundup. As always, if you have suggestions for the perfect lazy Sunday flick, please post ‘em in the comments. Happy streaming!
Netflix New Releases:
Bill Burr: You People Are All the Same- Funnyman Bill Burr pokes fun at plastic surgery, reality TV, gold diggers and more (2012)
Seeking Justice- Nicolas Cage stars as a husband who enlists the services of a vigilante group to exact revenge on his wife’s aggressors – and quickly finds himself in over his head (2011)
The Expendables- A group of elite merceneries including Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Jason Statham is sent to overthrow a tyrannical South American dictator (2010)
Hulu Plus New Releases:
Grimm: Bad Teeth- Nick copes with the return of his presumed dead mother while racing to find a cure for comatose Juliette (2012)
Rookie Blue: Cold Comforts- The officers try to prevent dangerous fallout when a laptop is stolen (2012)
Saving Hope: Bea, Again- Alex is forced to take Charlie off his ventilator – will he survive? (2012)
Crackle New Releases:
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee: Just a Lazy Shiftless Bastard- Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin discuss everything from Burt Lancaster to getting older over a cup of joe (2012)
The Beastie Boys: Horseplay: Unauthorised- Exclusive, previously unseen film footage and in-depth interviews with the three punk rock kids who became one of the most enduring hip-hop groups of all time (2004)
Saving Silverman- Jason Biggs gets some big comedic assists from Jack Black and Steve Zahn in this hilarious raunchy comedy (2001)
Amazon Instant Video New Releases:
Battleship- Newly available for purchase, this epic alien adventure will be available for rental in two weeks (2012)
Bachelorette- Roku users can enjoy this rowdy comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Isla Fisher before it hits theaters on September 7th (2012)
Grimm: Season 2– The plot thickens in the sophomore season of NBC’s popular supernatural drama (2012)
Amazon Prime Instant Video New Releases:
Luther: Seasons 1 & 2- Idris Elba (The Wire) plays a brilliant and troubled English police detective in this well-crafted British crime drama (2011)
Restrepo- National Geographic’s raw, feature-length documentary follows a company of American soldiers on a grueling 14-month tour in Afghanistan (2010)
All Good Things- Kirsten Dunst and Ryan Gosling star in this romantic thriller based on a real murder case (2010)
Fandor New Releases:
The Turin Horse- Hungarian director Béla Tarr’s final film uses a cataclysmic event in the life of Friedrich Nietzsche as a jumping off point to tell the story of an Italian farmer and his dying horse (2011)
Complicated Drumming Technique- Fred Armisen stars as a spastic drumming instructor in this mockumentary short (2007)
The Unnameable Little Broom- This stop-motion fantasy from the Quay brothers centers on the exploits of Gilgamesh, “a sort of grotesque fascist hydrocephalic child despot on a tricycle.” Wait, what? (1985)
Following the success of shows like Downton Abbey, America is in a tizzy over British drama and mystery – but it’s not always easy to find international shows in the states. Thankfully, it’s simpler than ever to channel your inner anglophile from the comfort of home with Acorn TV on Roku.
