Roku makes efforts to deliver original content

It looks like Roku is planning to add original content to its current content library. A job listing initially reported by Protocol showed that Roku was looking for a senior production lawyer with “substantial television and film production experience in a studio, network, streaming service, or entertainment law firm. “.

The list, which is no longer accepting applications, mentioned that the role would include “all kinds of development and production agreements, including option purchase agreements, script acquisition agreements, lifetime rights, hiring agreements for individual writers, actors, directors and producers, production service contracts, substandard contracts, including for heads of departments, location contracts, permits, contracts rental of props, likeness releases and credit notes. »All signs point to the production of original content for the platform.

Roku recently struck a deal to acquire the rights to original Quibi content, including 75 shows and documentaries created for the short-form streaming service and over a dozen titles that were never aired on. the platform. Roku reportedly paid “significantly less” than $ 100 million for the content.

New original content would likely join Quibi on The Roku Channel, Roku’s free streaming service. The move would help The Roku Channel compete with both free services and paid streamers like Netflix and Prime Video, which use original content to attract subscribers with the promise of content not found elsewhere.

However, the Roku Channel isn’t just for free content. Through the app, users can also subscribe to premium channels. When the Quibi content deal was announced, Roku noted that the content will be free in 2021 for all Roku users. After that, there is a possibility that the content will be moved to a paid channel where the new original content could also be shown.

Roku has yet to comment on the job posting or potential original content plans.