Roku Channel Content Removals Will Target Originals That Aren’t Attracting New Viewers
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor Roku, looking to rein in spending, is making its third round of layoffs within a year — pink-slipping more than 300 staffers — and will pull “select” content from its TV streaming platform.
According to Roku’s 8-K filing, it will take a charge estimated to be $55 million-$65 million related to “removing select existing licensed and produced content from company-operated services on its TV streaming platform.” Roku said it does not expect any “material cash expenditures” in connection with the content-impairment charge.
What content is getting the axe? A Roku rep tells Variety the company is not disclosing which titles will be removed from the Roku Channel at this time and declined to comment beyond the details in its Sept.
6 SEC disclosure. A source familiar with the company’s strategy says the purge will target Roku original TV shows and movies that are unpopular — specifically, titles that may have been popular initially but are not attracting new viewers.
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