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Roku planning IPO for this year

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Feb 2014 10:17 User comments (6)

Roku planning IPO for this year

According to Bloomberg, Roku is preparing for an IPO this year, going public as its popularity grows.
The company builds set-top boxes that allow users to connect to hundreds of popular apps via a small box that connects to your HDTV.

Roku declined to comment, but the sources say the company still has not decided on a lead banker if it does decide to go through with the deal.

Recent studies show that 37 percent of households using streaming media set-tops use Roku as a primary device, well ahead of Apple and Google and others. Roku can also license its tech to other OEMs.

Founder and CEO Anthony Wood was originally with Netflix as the company began its transition to streaming, and Wood would have been in charge of creating a hardware Netflix device if the company had decided to go ahead with one. They did not. Wood then created Roku and Netflix initially backed it with a $6 million investment. Netflix is one of the most prominent apps on the Roku, along with Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and others.



Last year, the company raised another $60 million in funding from major backers including BSkyB, News Corp. and Hearst.

Tags: Roku IPO
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6 user comments

121.2.2014 22:26

This is truly amazing.

Who uses Roku??? Attach a PC to your home theatre but don't use a crappy streambox!

Roku, Vudu, Boxee, WD, etc.......these things offer lame limited functionality for use in many cases are are just a waste.

I don't know a single solitary soul that uses a Roku.

Perhaps it's just me......my PC is integrated with my Home Theatre system so no need for Streamboxes.

221.2.2014 22:47

Originally posted by hearme0:
This is truly amazing.

Who uses Roku??? Attach a PC to your home theatre but don't use a crappy streambox!

Roku, Vudu, Boxee, WD, etc.......these things offer lame limited functionality for use in many cases are are just a waste.

I don't know a single solitary soul that uses a Roku.

Perhaps it's just me......my PC is integrated with my Home Theatre system so no need for Streamboxes.
There are millions of Roku users. The HTPC market is extremely niche and for the most part requires skills and know-how the average person does not have. The Roku is easy, has hundreds of apps, plays MKVs natively, and weighs a few ounces/takes up no room. It's a no-brainer for most.

322.2.2014 04:00

Originally posted by hearme0:
This is truly amazing.

Who uses Roku??? Attach a PC to your home theatre but don't use a crappy streambox!
Hang on... isn't the Steambox from valve? :)



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This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 22 Feb 2014 @ 4:01

422.2.2014 12:40

The Roku 3 is everything i had been looking for. I have tried everything looking for the perfect media set up, Xbox one,smart TV's, chromecast.
The amount of apps speed and ease of use of the Roku is unmatched. I just purchased a second one for another TV, if you haven't tried out Roku i would definitely advise you to get one.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 22 Feb 2014 @ 12:40

524.2.2014 14:24

I use Roku and convinced 10 friends to use it too and we all love it. Yes it is easy to set up and some of the channels it provides are great. My favorite being the black and white channel.

You can hook up your hard drive to it and play mkv and mp4 videos right from your hard drive.

I use it all the time and I would highly recommend it.

624.2.2014 14:31

well my android box plays everything i throw it via external hdd, also can install xbmc and stream sports, movies, music the amount of content is truly un-real
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sumvision-Cyclo...d/dp/B00GIODOEQ

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