Roku today begins adding 16 new linear streaming channels to its lineup of more than 200 free ad-supported offerings available through The Roku Channel.

Additionally, starting on August 19th, The Roku Channel will add a new linear channel dedicated to “The Wiggles” as part of the service’s Kids & Family fare, now celebrating its second anniversary, the company said.

“Roku is rooted in creating better streaming experiences for our users, using our brand pillars of ease, value and choice to guide us,” stated Ashley Hovey, The Roku Channel AVOD director. “The demand for free, quality programming continues to be of importance to our streamers. We’ve seen linear streaming explode over the last year and we’re very excited to offer an all-new lineup of great channels with some of the most-recognized franchises to our users.”

Roku said the Kids & Family section of the linear channel mix “has seen exponential growth” since it launched in 2019. The Roku Channel first launched live/linear programming in 2018 and today it is a core part of The Roku Channel experience.

“In Q2 2021, Kids & Family programming on The Roku Channel was streamed by more households than any other AVOD kids and family stand-alone channel on the Roku platform,” the company said.

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The 16 new linear channels available starting today covers a broad mix or genres and interests, all available for free with ad support.

Starting today, the new linear channels available on The Roku Channel include:

• AccuWeather Now
• Baywatch
• CBC News
• El Rey
• Estrella Games
• Filmrise Horror
• FimRise Kids
• FilmRise True Crime
• IGN
• Mega Noticias
• RCN Más
• Real Madrid TV
• So…Real
• The Only Way Is Essex
• Tribeca Channel
• The Wiggles powered by Loop Media, Inc.
• Vivaldi

The Roku Channel, which the company said currently ranks as the top streaming platform for free advertised video on demand (AVOD) content by use market share in the U.S., launched in 2017 as a go-to section for cord-cutters and others with Roku streaming adapters, Roku TVs and other devices from third party smart TV and media adapter partners. The platform’s linear channel assortment offers a channel grid guide to quickly find programs and channels of interest, with a mix of content available in English and Spanish.

The company said The Roku Channel enjoyed robust growth with streaming hours more than doubling year-over-year in Q2 2021. Content offered on The Roku Channel is licensed and distributed from more than 175 partners and covers a library of more than 40,000 free movies and television programs.

In addition to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is available via Web browsers as well as through iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung TVs. It is currently available internationally in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., the company said.

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By Greg Tarr

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