Streaming Live to Roku

How to Deliver Streaming Content to Roku and Apple TV

Your guide to streaming Roku Channel content directly on your Apple TV device.

If you want to build a virtual TV channel from your existing content library, our channel playout system produces a very high quality live stream, indeed, as high quality as your content encoding can achieve and your audience can support.

Once your stream is built and running, submit a Scaleengine JSON feed url to Roku Direct Publisher. Your Roku app will show this live stream to your viewers.

Introduction

With streaming services dominating entertainment and everyone's TVs, it is common to see platforms integrating across different devices. Roku and Apple TV are two of the most popular options for streaming. You need to not only get your content there, you need it to run reliably. Hundreds of channels depend on ScaleEngine to get their audience the best quality viewing experience.

Roku/Apple and Live Stream Compatibility

Roku and Apple TV have different operating systems, but their integration has improved significantly. Users can actually access the Roku Channel on Apple TV without needing separate Roku hardware. This compatibility benefits both platforms, giving users more flexibility. In either case, you need a streaming hosting provider who understands how to perfectly integrate with user's devices, by adhering to protocols, standards and compatibility.

Platform Technical Stream Requirements
Roku HLS H264 video, High Profile Level 4.2 - 30 seconds from the live edge, up to 10Mbps.
Apple TV HLS H264 video High Profile Level 4.1 up to 20Mbps.

Building Roku and Apple TV Apps

If you are a developer looking to build apps for Roku and Apple TV, there are a few tools available to help you create and manage channels:

Roku App Builder

Roku provides a Roku App Builder to help developers build channels with ease. This tool allows you to create a custom Roku channel, submit it to Roku's platform, and manage content delivery.

Instant TV Channel

Another popular solution for Roku app development is Instant TV Channel, which offers a more streamlined approach for creating Roku apps without needing extensive coding skills.

Apple TV App Development

Developers can create Apple TV apps using Apple's development ecosystem, which includes tools like Xcode and the tvOS SDK. It's essential to design apps that leverage Apple TV's features, including the App Store, Siri search, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.

Live Streaming Solutions for Roku and Apple TV

Whether you are looking to build a channel or stream live content, ScaleEngine offers a powerful CDN with live streaming solutions that support Roku and Apple TV. ScaleEngine provides direct publisher JSON feeds that allow developers to publish live content seamlessly across both platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start live streaming on Roku or Apple TV?

You should use an experienced streaming provider platform like ScaleEngine for live streaming on Roku or Apple TV. We provide support for app development and content management.

Do I need an encoder?

You can put your existing content together into a seamless live stream, no encoder required.

What if I have an encoder?

You can stream live to ScaleEngine to provide a source on Apple/Roku, and "fall back" to your channel when you are not live.

Conclusion

The ability to stream on Roku and Apple TV brings together the best of both platforms, offering viewers a diverse library of entertainment options, and opportunities to reach these audiences for content owners. Whether you are looking to provide free content, or build custom apps for these platforms, there are many opportunities for both users and developers.