Roku Set-Top Box Gets A/V Aggregation Service

DeviceGuru writes "Mediafly's A/V podcast aggregation service will be added to Roku's $100 digital video player set-top box this fall, the companies report. This puts the companies on a path to compete directly with Hulu.com. According to Mediafly, its service will provide free access to 'tens of thousands of audio and video podcasts' from NBC, CNN, ESPN, Comedy Central, and other sources. Roku VP Jim Funk notes that Mediafly is using a new Roku Developer Kit to ease the task of developing its add-on for the Roku box. Surely the cable companies are reading the writing on the wall!"

Comments

I would hardly call that Hulu competition.

[FlyingSquidStudios]

Hulu has shows like The Simpsons, The Office and The Daily Show. Mediafly has things like 'highlights' from Hardball with Chris Matthews and third-rate stand-up comedians. The fact that Dennis Miller is second from the top in their comedy selection shows how far they're stretching for content.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Roku box- $100 for the device and $9 a month for a Netflix account is cheaper than cable- but I doubt I'll be using this part of the service.