Roku today announced its upcoming launch in Brazil that’s happening in tandem with local smart TV manufacturing and subscription streaming partnerships.
Roku is partnering with manufacturer AOC to release a pair of smart TVs for the Brazilian market. The 32-inch and 43-inch models will include wireless connectivity and access to Roku features, including search, remote, mobile app and automatic software updates.
AOC Roku TV models will be available online on January 22 in Casas Bahia, Ponto Frio and Extra, and in stores as of early February. The 32-inch AOC Roku TV will be priced at $1.199,00 Reais and the 43-inch AOC Roku TV will be priced at $1.599,00 Reais.
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Roku is also partnering with Globoplay, a local Brazilian subscription streaming service. Globoplay will be one of the first local SVODs to arrive on the Roku platform in Brazil and will eventually be featured on a shortcut button on Roku remotes.
“Roku is an important partner for Globoplay’s expansion plans. This will improve the experience for those who consume streaming content on TV, and it will bring more competition and quality to the market,” said Erick Brêtas, general director of Globoplay, in a statement.
Roku in Brazil will also feature the Apple TV app (with access to Apple TV+), Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Google Play, DAZN, Spotify, Deezer, BabyFirst TV, Happy Kids, Looke and Playkids.
The launch in Brazil marks another step in Roku’s current efforts to grow its international business and expand the user base for its platform. In September, the firm announced an expansion of its Roku TV licensing program into Europe. Hisense is the company’s first European partner, and is expected to launch Roku TV models in the U.K. in the fourth quarter.
The European expansion comes after Roku has already established itself as a smart TV platform leader in the U.S. The company estimates that in the first half of 2019 more than one-in-three smart TVs sold in the U.S. were Roku TVs.
In October, Macquarie analyst Tim Nollen predicted Roku will have 72 million active users by 2022, up from the 30.5 million the company reported in August.