• Company Name: Roku, Inc.

• Founded: October 2002

• Founder: Anthony Wood

• Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States

• Industry: Consumer electronics, streaming media, digital advertising

• Stock Exchange: NASDAQ

• Ticker Symbol: ROKU

• Type: Public company [2]

Roku was founded in 2002 by Anthony Wood, an entrepreneur who previously invented one of the first digital video recorders (DVRs). His vision was to make television internet-connected and easier to use. [3]

During the mid-2000s, streaming video was still in its early stages. Wood briefly led a project for Netflix to build a dedicated streaming player, but Netflix decided not to become a hardware manufacturer. The project became an independent company—Roku—which launched its first streaming player in 2008. Initially, the device supported only Netflix before expanding to many streaming services. [4]

Since then, Roku has grown from a hardware manufacturer into a complete streaming platform serving millions of households worldwide.

Roku’s stated mission is:

“To be the streaming platform that connects and benefits the entire TV ecosystem around the world.”

Rather than producing large amounts of original content, Roku focuses on building the platform that connects viewers, content publishers, advertisers, and television manufacturers. [1]

Roku Streaming Players

These devices connect to televisions through HDMI and provide access to streaming apps.

Popular product lines include:

• Roku Express

• Roku Express 4K

• Roku Streaming Stick

• Roku Streaming Stick 4K

• Roku Ultra

These devices support services such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, Max, and thousands of additional channels. [5]

Roku OS

Roku OS is the company’s operating system for smart TVs.

Features include:

• Simple home screen

• Universal search across streaming services

• Personalized recommendations

• Automatic software updates

• Voice search

• Screen mirroring

• Mobile app integration

Many television manufacturers license Roku OS for their smart TVs. [6]

Roku TV

Instead of manufacturing every television itself, Roku licenses its operating system to TV manufacturers and also sells Roku-branded TVs.

Brands using Roku OS have included:

• TCL

• Hisense

• Sharp

• Philips

• RCA

• Westinghouse

More recently, Roku has also introduced televisions under its own brand. [7]

The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is Roku’s free, ad-supported streaming service.

It offers:

• Movies

• TV shows

• Live television

• News

• Sports

• Roku Originals

• Premium subscription add-ons

The service is available in selected countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. [8]

Roku Smart Home

Roku has expanded into smart home products, including:

• Security cameras

• Video doorbells

• Smart plugs

• Smart lights

• Indoor cameras

• Outdoor cameras

These devices integrate with Roku TVs, allowing users to view camera feeds directly on their televisions. [9]

Roku Audio

The company also sells home entertainment accessories such as:

• Wireless speakers

• Soundbars

• Subwoofers

• Voice remotes

These products are designed to work seamlessly with Roku TVs and streaming devices. [10]

Roku earns revenue through two primary segments:

Platform Revenue

This is Roku’s largest business and includes:

• Digital advertising

• Video advertisements

• Revenue sharing with streaming services

• Subscription billing

• Content distribution

• The Roku Channel

Devices Revenue

Revenue from:

• Streaming players

• Roku TVs

• Audio products

• Smart home devices

• Accessories

Although Roku sells hardware, its platform business generates the majority of its revenue and profit. [11]

Key technologies include:

• Roku OS

• Universal Search

• Voice Control

• Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)

• Advertising Platform

• Roku Developer Platform

• Streaming optimization

The platform is designed to provide fast navigation and broad compatibility with streaming services. [12]

Roku has been one of the leading TV streaming platforms in the United States, Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed. It competes by offering an open platform that supports a wide variety of streaming services rather than favoring a single content ecosystem. [13]

Roku competes with companies offering streaming platforms and connected TV ecosystems, including:

• Amazon (Fire TV)

• Apple (Apple TV)

• Google

• Samsung Electronics

• LG Electronics

Roku products are available primarily in:

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

• United Kingdom

• Several countries in Latin America

Availability of hardware, software features, and streaming services varies by region. [14]

• Founder & CEO: Anthony Wood

Anthony Wood remains a central figure in the company’s strategy and product development. [4]

• 2002 – Roku founded.

• 2008 – First Roku streaming player launched.

• 2010 – Roku expanded beyond Netflix to support multiple streaming services.

• 2017 – Roku became a publicly traded company on NASDAQ.

• 2020s – Expanded into smart TVs, advertising, smart home devices, and audio products while continuing to grow its streaming platform.

• The name “Roku” means “six” in Japanese, reflecting that it was Anthony Wood’s sixth company. [4]

• Roku began as a streaming hardware company but now generates most of its revenue from its software platform and advertising business. [11]

• Roku licenses its operating system to television manufacturers, making Roku OS a common smart TV platform. [6]

Roku is a leading connected TV platform whose business spans streaming devices, smart TV operating systems, free streaming content, advertising technology, smart home products, and audio accessories. Founded in 2002 by Anthony Wood, the company helped popularize internet streaming on televisions and has evolved into a platform that connects viewers, content providers, advertisers, and TV manufacturers through the Roku ecosystem.

1. Company | Roku

2. Roku Investor Resources & FAQs | Roku

3. roku-20251231

4. The History of Roku: Our Story | Roku

5. 01. FY 2024 10-K for Printing

6. Roku | Company Overview & News

7. roku-20241231

8. roku-20231231

9. roku-20221231

10. Company | Roku Canada

11. Roku platform overview

12. Company | Roku Australia

13. The Roku Channel overview