Written by admin
Roku just confirmed that a major home screen redesign is on the way for 2026, and the company is not hiding its true goal. Its focus will center on monetization and more ways to push ads at the expense of the user.
The company has been testing a new layout with select users that replaces your organized app grid with sponsored content and promoted services.
This follows an earlier round of testing in mid-2025, when Roku quietly rolled out a redesigned home screen to a small group of users before pulling it back.
Beta testers reported seeing a “For You” row filled with picks based on viewing habits, along with genre-browsing sections like “What Are You in the Mood For?”
Two of the biggest changes involve The Roku Channel app and the Roku Live TV Guide being pushed front and center. These apps override your personal settings, forcing you to scroll past promoted content just to reach the apps you already arranged.
Reddit users in the beta program were not happy. Complaints ranged from losing custom app layouts to feeling like the platform was deciding what they should watch.
Roku operates in more than 90 million streaming households worldwide. Average daily usage exceeds four hours per active account, making the home screen prime real estate for advertisers.
The company’s platform segment saw an 18% revenue increase in 2025, reaching roughly $4.1 billion. Executives expect similar growth this year, driven partly by home screen changes and new ad placements woven into the interface.
We covered this pattern in our article on why Roku’s success shows everything wrong with streaming. Each update seems to strip away more user control while adding another layer of advertising.
I always recommend Android TV/Google TV devices over Roku for this exact reason. Devices like the Onn 4K Plus offer a far better experience.
You can sideload apps, install custom launchers, and avoid the ad-heavy environment that Roku keeps building.
Roku keeps proving that its users are the product, not the customer. Every redesign leans harder into advertising at the expense of a simple, clean experience.
If you are still using a Roku device, now might be the time to switch to an Android TV or Google TV box that puts you back in control.
For more details on this story, refer to the report from Cord Cutter News.
We want to know your thoughts. What do you think about this story? Let us know in the comment section below!
Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more by following the TROYPOINT Advisor with updates weekly.
This page includes affiliate links where TROYPOINT may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Many times, visitors will receive a discount due to the special arrangements made for our fans. Learn more on my Affiliate Disclaimer page.
© IPTVSub is Proudly Owned by win-design