Recently, Roku users have noticed that the Reuters app is no longer available, and they’ve taken to social media to ask what’s going on.
This is the reponse Roku has been giving though their support account.
Reuters channel was removed from the Roku platform today at the request from the channel partner. Find more great content at https://t.co/Og4qMLMyAj. https://t.co/BLuRVWv82V
— Roku Support (@RokuSupport) January 16, 2020
The app launched in November 2016, giving Roku users access to a curated new service with up to date news from around the world. The app included live feeds and on-demand content to find the reports most relevant to each viewer.
In December 2019, Simon Hutson, managing director of consumer at Reuters sent the following letter, found on Talking Biz News.
We’ve learnt a lot since we first launched Reuters TV as a direct-to-consumer app in 2015. Our thinking about mobile video news has evolved. We’ve experimented, iterated and received a great deal of feedback. Video content has become even more important to consumers.
Now we’re taking the next step in our journey.
As of January 6, 2020, we will be consolidating Reuters direct-to-consumer video, text and pictures in one place. We want to create a simpler user experience in the Reuters News App – and the website Reuters.com.
As a result, we will no longer have a standalone Reuters TV app or website after this date. However, our Reuters TV content will be available in the Reuters News app for iOS and Android devices, and at Reuters.com.
Users can continue to access Reuters TV through Apple TV, Google Assistant and Amazon flash briefings for both video and audio as we make this transition. Eikon users will also continue to receive Reuters TV, and we will be migrating Roku users to a new video experience.
Video content is one of Reuters great strengths; we have dedicated video journalists in every corner of the globe and create almost 120,000 video stories every year. We want to bring this content to the widest possible audience. We know some users will miss the standalone Reuters TV app and site, but this move will showcase our world-class video news to the biggest audience and create a seamless, unified experience for consumers. (It does not affect our service to News Agency customers)
The next step for Reuters TV as a direct-to-consumer offer is a new home in the Reuters News app and Reuters.com. A single app and website providing trusted intelligence for decision makers.
The letter mentions Roku, saying that those users will be migrated to a new video experience. This could mean a new and improved app will be added back to the platform later, but for now both Roku and Reuters have been silent about any possible plans.
The good news for those who want to continue getting news coverage from Reuters is that an app is still available on other platforms. The Reuters News app is available in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Amazon App Store.
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