Roku, Inc. and Saban Films have partnered for a granting Roku the pay-one window streaming rights to movies released by Saban Films. “Streaming has become an incredible way to experience movie-making magic from the comfort of your own home and we are thrilled to bring an extraordinary lineup of entertainment to The Roku Channel and America’s No. 1 TV streaming platform,” Saban Films President Bill Bromiley said.
Under the agreement, a selection of Saban’s 2021 film slate will stream free exclusively on Roku’s ad-supported streaming service, The Roku Channel, in the United States and Canada following theatrical and home entertainment release. The deal is the first ever pay-one licensing agreement for Roku. “Saban Films is a great partner with a history of creating standout films,” said Rob Holmes, VP of Programming for Roku. “This first-of-its-kind agreement allows us to bring these compelling films exclusively to our large, engaged audience for free, and to build upon the incredible growth of The Roku Channel."
Offering more than 40,000 free movies and programs and 190+ free live linear television channels. The Roku Channel licenses and distributes content from more than 175 partners. In addition to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is available on Web, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung TVs and can be accessed internationally in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
Saban's first film to premiere on The Roku Channel will be “Echo Boomers” starring two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon and Patrick Schwarzenegger on 15th June. Future film debuts include “Happily” starring Joel McHale and Kerry Bishé; “Percy VS Goliath” (US Only) starring Academy Award winner Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci and Zach Braff; “Under the Stadium Lights” starring Laurence Fishburne and Milo Gibson, and more to be announced at a later date.
Saban Films continues to grow its presence in the industry, remaining active in the acquisition, production and distribution space. The company’s successes have run the gamut from critically acclaimed theatrical films such as “The Homesman” starring Hilary Swank, to two of the biggest Fathom events with horror icon and heavy metal mastermind Rob Zombie’s 3 “From Hell” last year and Kevin Smith’s Jay and “Silent Bob Reboot,” the sequel to the 2001 comedy “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” which the company partnered on after coming onboard at script stage.