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Way back at CES 2013, Roku announced a slate of new channels to go live in the first quarter of 2013, including a PBS app capable of streaming full episodes.
Roku is a little behind on its deadline, but today both PBS and PBS Kids channels are launching on the company’s streaming boxes. The PBS app promises content from prime-time shows (including “Nova,” “Nature,” “Antiques Roadshow,” “Frontline,” and “Masterpiece”), arts and music programs (“American Masters,” “Austin City Limits,” “Great Performances”), plus content from local PBS affiliates. The PBS Kids channel will includes full episodes of “Curious George,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Dinosaur Train,” “Super Why!” and “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!”
The two new channels add even more quality content to Roku’s giant 700+ channel library, although it will be interesting to see exactly which PBS content ends up making it to the app. PBS favorite “Downton Abbey” announced an exclusive deal with Amazon Instant, while there’s no mention of “Sesame Street” on PBS Kids, which currently has full episodes available on Netflix and Amazon Instant. Those contracts may keep some of PBS’ most popular content out of the new channel, at least until the exclusivity periods end.
