Roku is adding new free channels to its Roku Channel, including three comedy-based channels and one featuring AI-generated content. The company has released close to 80 new channels so far, all of which are free to watch.
One of the new channels will feature episodes of “Mad TV”, a sketch comedy series that ran from 1995 to 2016. The show was known for its original characters, satirical takes on pop culture, and celebrity impressions and appearances.
The other two comedy channels are Retro Black Laughs, which will feature iconic television and comedy specials from past decades focused on Black voices and culture, and a channel dedicated to reruns of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, a popular sketch-comedy show hosted by Drew Carey and later by Aisha Tyler.
The fourth channel, Fairground AI, will feature a 24/7 stream of AI-generated content, including films, short series, and other works. This move has raised some eyebrows, with some questioning why Roku made this decision.
Fairground AI launched its new channel at the end of July, with support from several content creators and studios. The channel is seen as a way to bring AI-generated content to a mainstream audience, but it will have to compete with the other free channels available on the Roku Channel, including “Mad TV” and Retro Black Laughs.
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The addition of Fairground AI to the Roku Channel lineup may seem surprising, given the general populace’s stance on AI content. However, it’s not the first time AI has been used in entertainment media – last year, a company claimed it could generate shows based on user preferences.
For viewers, the addition of Fairground AI means they will have access to a new type of content that is still in its early stages. It will be interesting to see how viewers respond to AI-generated content, and whether it will be able to stand up to the quality of human-made content.
With options like “Mad TV” and other free channels already available on the Roku Channel, Fairground AI has a lot of competition. The quality of AI-generated content is still a work in progress, and it may take some time before it can truly rival the iconic performances that humanity has been producing since the birth of the moving picture.
Roku’s move to add more free channels to its lineup is a smart one, especially considering the company recently raised prices of its streaming devices. The new channels will give users more options to choose from, and may help to attract new customers to the platform.
Users can access the channels by downloading the Roku Channel app or by visiting the Roku website. The new channels will be available to stream for free on the Roku Channel, starting this month.
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