Roku And Amazon Confirmed Among Discovery+ Streaming Partners

Roku and Amazon Fire TV, the two key gateways for streaming in the U.S., have been confirmed as partners for the rollout for Discovery+.

The major new initiative by Discovery goes live in the U.S. today and will expand globally throughout 2021.

The deal gives the new Discovery service access to Roku’s 46 million active accounts. Other services like HBO Max and Peacock have gone live recently without Roku deals, incurring backlash from users, though dealmaking with Roku is challenging given its demands for access to ad inventory and data.

Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs are carrying Discovery+, with Prime Video Channels offering it down the line. Other platforms offering the service include iOS, Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, Microsoft Xbox One and Series S/X devices, and 2017 and newer Samsung smart TVs.

Discovery+, which derives its programming from the parent company’s portfolio of cable networks, also is mixing in original shows. Management at the company has not set out a specific subscriber target, but expects to draw “tens of millions” of subscribers over an unspecified timeframe. Earlier this morning, Discovery announced another key distribution agreement with Vodafone spanning 12 European markets as well as the UK.

“As we go live with discovery+ today in the U.S., we are thrilled to be working with best-in-class partners to make it available everywhere our fans are,” Discovery CEO David Zaslav said. “Our ambition is simple: bring consumers the definitive and most complete destination for real life entertainment at a price point that makes this the perfect companion for every household’s streaming and TV portfolio. There is nothing like it in the market today.”

“We are delighted to kick off 2021 by welcoming discovery+ to America’s No. 1 TV streaming platform,” said Tedd Cittadine, VP of Content Distribution, Roku. “Discovery has been a fantastic partner and we are thrilled to expand and deepen our work together across the Roku platform as we bring their incredible content library and their exciting new original programs to streamers.”

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