Roku will soon require streaming services to notify customers well in advance of a price increase as part of the company’s ongoing certification process for apps distributed on its platform.
In a developer’s note published last week, Roku said subscription video on-demand (SVOD) apps will be required to give customers at least 15 days notice prior to any price increase.
In addition to the notification requirement, Roku says apps must also affirm their compliance with local regulations. That includes tougher laws on how subscriptions are billed and canceled.
The changes affect all subscription-based apps, even those that don’t use Roku Pay to help customers sign up and pay for services. All apps must be certified to be distributed in Roku’s app store, called the Roku Channel Store, which is the only way for Roku users to download and install third-party services.
Roku has standard certification requirements for all types of apps distributed on its platform, and specialized requirements that other types of apps — like free, ad-supported streaming services and streaming cable-like apps — must follow.
Before publication, every app must pass Static Analysis and Channel Behavior Analysis testing, which detect coding errors, crashes, and user interface issues. Apps must function reliably across all Roku devices, respond to remote control input, and display error messages appropriately instead of freezing or crashing.
User experience plays a central role in certification. Roku mandates intuitive navigation, clear text readability, and consistent use of remote control buttons. Ads cannot disrupt viewing and must follow Roku’s advertising policies. Startup time, memory use and responsiveness are evaluated during automated testing to ensure smooth performance.
Developers must follow Roku’s privacy and data security policies, declaring any third-party analytics or SDKs and ensuring sensitive data is encrypted. Content rules prohibit hate speech, explicit material or illegal content, and apps with user-generated material must include moderation tools.
