Roku apparently has bigger content dreams than Quibi

After capturing much of Quibi’s content, it looks like Roku may be exploring the development of its own originals, much like every other streaming service.

Seen by Revealera and reported by Protocol, Roku seems to have recently listed a post on LinkedIn for a senior production lawyer, although the role no longer accepts applications. According to the list, the role would focus on Roku’s “growing array of original content” and work “as a senior production attorney for Roku’s original episodic and feature-length productions.”

In addition, the list indicates that the role would be to negotiate agreements and consult on legal matters relating to “all kinds of development and production agreements, including option purchase agreements, purchase agreements. script acquisition, life rights agreements, writers, actors, directors and producers agreements, production service agreements, below-the-line agreements, including for heads of departments, location agreements, authorizations, accessory rentals, look-alike releases and credit notes. It certainly looks like new content, rather than anything related to what Roku already has with its recent acquisition of Quibi assets.

Roku declined to comment.

following The disappearance of Quibi Last year (RIP), Roku acquired much of the Quibi catalog under a deal that would be valued at less than $ 100 million, Deadline reported at the time, citing anonymous sources. While the deal excluded some daily shows, it included more than 75 shows and documentaries that the service said would be available for free on the Roku Channel sometime in 2021. The content, however, will be supported by ads.

All this is consistent with a report of Digiday Last year, Roku had met with media and entertainment companies about creating originals for its platform. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report said these talks may not have moved forward. And at the time, a spokesperson for Roku told the outlet that he was “not making original shows and had no intention of doing so.” But that was March, and a lot of things changed back then, including Roku’s deal for Quibi’s transport.

It also makes a lot of sense that Roku would build its Roku Channel with originals, just as many of its competition do. Amazon, for example, creates content and also sells streaming devices with its Fire TV sticks and set-top box. Apple similarly creates content offered through its Apple TV + platform and on its own hardware. Making content available to its Roku users could potentially help the platform to further dominate the streaming space, although much of that depends on the quality of the content itself.

After all, its devices offer users dozens of video-on-demand apps that allow them to stream content from any service they subscribe to. And at this point, nobody needs another streaming option. Please my God, no more.

Added response from Roku.