Roku TVs and streaming devices are getting a massive movie overhaul

Could Vudu rival the biggest streamers?

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Rokuis about to benefit from a whole lot more movies and TV shows thanks to a merger between Vudu and FandangoNOW that will see the former become the official entertainment store on the popular streaming platform.

Fandango Media, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, has announced its plans to make Vudu a bigger and better on-demand service by combining its current offering with the existing library of FandangoNOW.

Vudu – which will now serve as Roku’s primary entertainment library – will therefore benefit from more than 200,000 new release and catalog movies and TV shows available to rent or buy, including the largest collection of4KUHD titles of anystreaming service.

That means Roku TV and streamer owners will soon have access to top new releases likeFast and Furious 9, Pixar’sLuca, A Quiet Place Part II, Disney’sCruellaandGodzilla vs. Kong, with titles likeMarvel’sBlack Widowon the way soon.

A large chunk of Vudu’s library will remain free, too, with no subscription required, while titles available to rent or buy will be subject to purchase via Roku pay, the existing payment method on Roku streaming devices like theRoku Express 4KandRoku Ultra.

The newly-updated Vudu service is set to replace FandangoNOW as the official Roku entertainment store from August 3.

Analysis: A bold step for streaming?

In its previous state, Vudu already offered audiences the biggest range of 4K Ultra HD audio-visual experiences of any streamer, with premium formats likeDolby AtmosandDolby Visionavailable on platforms ranging fromSamsungandLGsmart TVs toPS5andXbox Series X.

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Other benefits included personalized deals with Mix & Match bundles, family-friendly features like Kids Mode and easy ways to transfer physical discs to digital.

Now, with the addition of FandangoNOW’s extensive content library on top of those existing benefits, Vudu users (and therefore Roku device owners) have access to a service that arguably surpasses the offerings of big-name rivals like Netflix,AmazonPrime Video andDisney Plus.

“During a time where consumers have a myriad of viewing options, we’re proud to deliver a service that presents an unparalleled library of content, many titles that are not available on subscription services, and the flexibility to pay as you go,” Fandango President Paul Yanover said in a media statement.

Whether the merger sees an uptick in sales for Roku TVs and streaming devices remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Vudu’s now-even-larger content library should excite fans seeking access to the latest blockbusters, as well as studios looking to reach the largest audience possible.

Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. 

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

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