FAST / free streaming
How The Roku Channel builds for TV
A first-party channel built natively on Roku's own SceneGraph framework.
Where The Roku Channel runs
General availability across the major smart-TV platforms. Support changes over time.
How The Roku Channel is built for TV
The Roku Channel is native to Roku, built with SceneGraph and BrightScript rather than the web. It also reaches beyond Roku via web and a Fire TV app, but its home is the Roku platform.
Roku is the one big TV platform that is not web-based, so building here means a genuinely separate codebase and skill set.
Building something like The Roku Channel?
- Roku is BrightScript and SceneGraph, not the web. Plan it as a separate build.
- Roku's certification checklist is long and specific. Read it before you build.
- See the cross-platform guide for where Roku fits in a full testing matrix.
The Roku Channel on TV: FAQ
Which TV platforms is The Roku Channel on?+
On smart TVs, The Roku Channel is primarily available on Roku and Fire TV.
Why isn't The Roku Channel on other TV platforms?+
The Roku Channel is a first-party service tied to its own hardware. Rather than shipping everywhere, it uses deep integration with its own platform, launcher, and remote as the advantage. That is a deliberate distribution strategy, not a technical limit.
Is The Roku Channel a native or web app on TV?+
The Roku Channel is a native app on TV, with rendering handled by Roku SceneGraph (BrightScript).
How do I build a TV app like The Roku Channel?+
Roku is BrightScript and SceneGraph, not the web. Plan it as a separate build. From there, our cross-platform testing and deployment guides cover the packaging and certification flow for each platform.
Sources & further reading
Availability and engineering details are compiled from public sources and change over time. The Roku Channel is a trademark of its owner; this page is an independent developer reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Roku Channel.