Next up to get access to Twitter’s new television app is Roku. Customers in the United States who have either a Roku TV, a Roku streaming box or a Roku streaming stick can now find the Twitter TV app in the Roku store. For the most part, it works just like Twitter’s app on other devices like Apple TV, Fire TV, and Xbox One (all of which launched over the past several months).
Once it’s downloaded, all current live streams from Twitter will be available for viewing. The app does not require a Twitter account, and lets users watch live video and search Twitter for current hashtags and phrases.
The expansion of Twitter’s app into the television space actually goes hand in hand with their current plans. Just a few days ago, the company announced a swath of new streaming deals with companies like the MLB, the NFL, Viacom, Live Nation, Bloomberg, PGA, and more. It’s clear that Twitter is turning their attention to live video, and it looks like they’re doing it well.
Twitter is also taking steps to encourage more amateur video and video from various sources from their users, introducing the Periscope Producer API back in march that lets people stream high definition footage from places like studios, external cameras, and even drones. And considering that Twitter recently added pre roll ads to Periscope streams (to help producers monetize their work), it’s not hard to see where Twitter’s focus is. It’s worth noting though that Periscope streams aren’t available through the Twitter app at the moment.
Though the new app for Roku, experts predict that Twitter could opening up their video services to millions of new eyeballs. 13 percent of all smart TVs carry the Roku platform, and Roku has more than 13 million monthly active accounts all of their streaming devices.
