Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube • Hacker News Board

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#241

Post by easton » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:02 PM UTC

azinman2 wrote: post #235

jrockway wrote: post #223

Why does Roku even need to work with YouTube to put YouTube on the device? It's a web page that can be opened in any browser. For that reason, I have to assume that Roku wants to extract money from Google here, and as with net neutrality, they're right to not pay.

It’s better used as an app on these devices. A webpage would be very cumbersome to use with a basic remote and lower powered processor. I also assume they integrated into search and other roku functionality.

Amazon for years just had an app in their store called "YouTube.com" which opened YouTube.com/tv in a webview. Worked absolutely fine, and was the preferred method until Google finally let them have an apk that didn't rely on Play Services.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#242

Post by commoner » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:03 PM UTC

willcipriano wrote: post #237

azinman2 wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s better used as an app on these devices. A webpage would be very cumbersome to use with a basic remote and lower powered processor. I also assume they integrated into search and other roku functionality.

Could Roku start distributing New Pipe[0] or similar? It works ok-ish on my android TVs. [0] https://newpipe.net/

Google would probably find ways to obstruct any of Roku's alternative YouTube clients, just as Google disabled Microsoft's YouTube client on Windows Phone years ago:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/aug/15/...

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#243

Post by cosmotic » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:07 PM UTC

jrockway wrote: post #223

Why does Roku even need to work with YouTube to put YouTube on the device? It's a web page that can be opened in any browser. For that reason, I have to assume that Roku wants to extract money from Google here, and as with net neutrality, they're right to not pay.

YouTube makes ad revenue from Roku users, Roku wants a cut.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#244

Post by johnvaluk » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:08 PM UTC

I've used Roku in various incarnations (box, TV) since it was released and was excited when the official YouTube app was finally available. But lately, it's been painful to watch YouTube due to the constant and disruptive advertising. Part of me is looking forward to the app being pulled from Roku, since it's so much like the cable TV experience I thought I was escaping. I don't feel this way about the other premium channels I use (Netflix, Prime Video). Is it worth paying for YouTube? Will pulling the app make it impossible to use the premium (paid) service on Roku devices?

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#245

Post by jackbravo » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:09 PM UTC

willcipriano wrote: post #237

azinman2 wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s better used as an app on these devices. A webpage would be very cumbersome to use with a basic remote and lower powered processor. I also assume they integrated into search and other roku functionality.

Could Roku start distributing New Pipe[0] or similar? It works ok-ish on my android TVs. [0] https://newpipe.net/

Your personal account can get suspended for abusing the service, like when sidestepping their official apps to download videos.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#246

Post by Johnny555 » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:20 PM UTC

CydeWeys wrote: post #224

Time to get a new TV then. It's been time for awhile but this is gonna be the inciting incident. And definitely not getting a Roku TV as my new one.

Unless you're taking some ideological stance against Roku, no need to replace your existing hardware, it will continue to work with Youtube:

We are, however, giving Roku the ability to continue distributing both YouTube and YouTube TV apps to all existing users to make sure they are not impacted.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#247

Post by deeblering4 » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:25 PM UTC

Then I’ll keep the roku and cancel youtube premium. Google is just the worst.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#248

Post by varelse » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:27 PM UTC

I was bored with billionaires fighting with each other over nothing before it was cool.

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#249

Post by deeblering4 » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:27 PM UTC

CydeWeys wrote: post #224

Time to get a new TV then. It's been time for awhile but this is gonna be the inciting incident. And definitely not getting a Roku TV as my new one.

This is exactly why its better to buy a dumb TV and install a $50 HDMI stick (or two)

Re: Roku tells customers it is unable to strike a deal with YouTube

#250

Post by unclekev » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 10:27 PM UTC

johnvaluk wrote: post #244

I've used Roku in various incarnations (box, TV) since it was released and was excited when the official YouTube app was finally available. But lately, it's been painful to watch YouTube due to the constant and disruptive advertising. Part of me is looking forward to the app being pulled from Roku, since it's so much like the cable TV experience I thought I was escaping. I don't feel this way about the other premium…

> Is it worth paying for YouTube?

That depends on how much not seeing that 'constant and disruptive advertising' is worth to you.