Ode To The Roku

Over the past few months, I have been finding that I am using my Roku box more than even Hulu. Clearly my content choices are more unusual than most people might be into. Take my recent Buck Rogers marathon I did over the weekend for example. Still, despite this, I have found that the recent content additions were not really worth the update.

I love the fact that I can relive some shows I once enjoyed and lately, and finding more newer programming available on Netflix watch instantly via my Roku. But adding “podcasts” to my Roku is actually not something that I think most people really give a rip about.

This being said, perhaps my problem is that I’m simply not into much of the Web based media I once was. Could have to do with me getting older, who knows? Whatever the reason is, I wanted to see more of a push for network content on the Roku. Clearly, content providers are having none of it. And I suppose, in their minds, the cable companies would burn them at the stake if they tried it.

And don’t try and tell me that Hulu content cannot be provided because it is using Flash. Uh, not really, as I watched a number of new Flash based channels appearing with the latest Channel Store. And I also believe that if it was possible for Hulu or network TV shows from the Web to be licensed, Roku would be all over it. After all, how can 300,000 to 400,000 unit owners possibly be wrong? And with my HDMI cable connected, I do get to enjoy some fairly decent HD goodness for a real bargain of a price.

Given the cost of the box, the fact that it can connect to any semi-newish TV set with just about every connection known, I see this statement as being a real threat to cable TV.

“Now content producers and distributors — from single person shops to billion dollar corporations — can deliver their content directly to consumers without having to go exclusively through cable operators, satellite networks or TV affiliates.”

This doesn’t mean only indie stuff mind you; it means if the contracts/regulators would move out of the way, we could see content providers of big name stuff doing what we found happening slowly in the music industry: selling directly to the consumer on a subscription basis. No old school TV networks, no cable providers, and no Apple TV drill me to the wall with per usage fees. Flat rate, all I can eat. Indie networks are coming, I can feel it.