The Roku Channel is making its way across the border, launching today in Mexico with a selection of Spanish-language original series.
This marks The Roku Channel’s first international expansion. For the launch, Roku is bringing in content from global partners like Sony and Lionsgate as well as from local content providers, such as Telefórmula, Canela TV, Runtime Espanol and Novelisima.
Roku says users in Mexico get access to more than 30 Roku originals in Spanish, like “Operación Marea Negra,” “Natural Born Narco,” “Mamas” and more. Additionally, viewers can watch blockbuster hits like “Blade Runner 2049,” “Psicópata Americano” (“American Psycho”), “Los Pitufos en la aldea perdida”(“Smurfs: The Lost Village”) among other titles.
“Launching The Roku Channel in Mexico represents a pivotal moment for our business as we continue to expand internationally and offer streamers free access to great entertainment and news content,” stated Rob Holmes, VP of programming at Roku.
“In the U.S., The Roku Channel is a top 5 channel on the Roku platform, by both reach and streaming hour engagement and we are excited for the opportunity to build this viewership in Mexico,” Holmes continued.
Roku already has a streaming foothold in Mexico. The company announced last November it was the number one TV streaming platform in the country, per an analysis of hours streamed.
The Roku Channel’s expansion to Mexico is notable, given the service has beefed up its Spanish-language content. Roku in June launched Espacio Latino, a destination hub featuring a variety of free movies and TV shows in Spanish.
Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is on the rise at The Roku Channel, which last month added 14 new linear channels, including a handful of NBC local news and Scripps channels.
“Free entertainment is one of the most searched-for categories on our platform, so we are pleased to meet that demand with the launch of The Roku Channel in Mexico,” said Mirjam Laux, Roku’s VP of international advertising and content.
“The Roku Channel expands our entertainment offering for our users and increases the value they get from the Roku platform. Brands will also be able to reach engaged consumers through ad-supported content,” she added.
Roku in September debuted the second season of “Roku Recommends,” a weekly 15-minute episode series designed to help viewers decide what to watch. Advertisers can also participate in the series through sponsored show segments and custom branded integrations.
On the originals front, “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” – starring Daniel Radcliffe – is scheduled to arrive on The Roku Channel on November 4. The movie initially premiered September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival.