Roku is rolling out a discounted bundle deal for its users that buy both Showtime and Starz subscription streaming services on the Roku platform.
The two premium services cost $16.99 together after a seven-day free trial, which is approximately $3 less than it would cost to purchase them both individually. The deal arrives shortly after a report suggesting that Showtime was in discussions with Roku and others about service bundles.
According to Reuters, Showtime is discussing bundles of two to three different services with diverse menus of content with Roku, Apple and Amazon. The publication described the potential bundles as being able to “replace the cable bundle as a one-stop shop for programming.”
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Streaming bundles are becoming more commonplace. Disney this week is launching its Disney+ streaming service priced at $6.99 per month. But the company will also sell the service bundled together with Hulu’s ad-supported service and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month.
During a recent event, WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said that HBO Max and AT&T TV, the company’s new streaming television service, will be offered as a bundle in 2020. In 2021, the company will add an ad-supported service to HBO Max and, further down the road, the service will be home to live and interactive content along with special events.
Roku also recently debuted a new app for the Apple Watch that allows people to use the smartwatch to control their Roku device. The free app is available via an update the Roku mobile app on the iPhone.
The app allows users to control their Roku device directly from Apple Watch and adjust volume using the circular crown on the watch. Apple Watch users can also launch channels, use voice controls to launch apps and search for content, or to find lost Roku remotes (a feature that’s only available on Roku Ultra and some Roku TV models.)