Roku has become one of the most popular streaming devices in recent years, offering users easy access to thousands of streaming channels. For people of African descent living abroad, Roku provides a simple way to access TV channels from their home countries. A number of African TV networks have launched Roku channels, bringing news, movies, sports, and other programs straight from Africa to viewers overseas.
Getting Set Up With Roku
Setting up Roku is a quick and straightforward process. You simply need to purchase a Roku streaming device like the Roku Express, Premiere, or Streaming Stick. Plug the device into your TV’s HDMI port, connect it to wifi, and create a Roku account. Next, start adding streaming channels from Roku’s Channel Store. Here you’ll find both free and paid channel subscriptions to access various content.
To watch African TV networks, search for individual channel names or keywords like “Africa” and “international.” You can then add any channels carrying African programming to your Roku account. Most of these channels can be added for free or with inexpensive monthly subscriptions.
Popular African Networks Available on Roku
Several major African broadcasters now have Roku channels, making it easier than ever for those in the diaspora to tune into news and entertainment from their home countries. Here are some of the most prominent African TV networks currently on Roku:
The African Broadcasting Network: ABN is a 24-hour TV channel broadcasting across Africa and worldwide via satellite and online platforms. Their Roku channel offers a mix of news, movies, music videos, sports, documentaries, Christian programming, and various popular African TV series. Content comes from many different African countries in languages like English, French, and Swahili.
ANN7: Formerly known as Africa News Network 7, this is a South Africa-based news channel owned by the Gupta family. They are currently expanding across Africa and their Roku channel makes their programming available to viewers overseas as well. ANN7 says their goal is to “contribute to the growth of Africa” by reporting and analyzing news stories affecting the continent.
Channel Africa: Operated by South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC, Channel Africa focuses on news and current affairs programming tailored for African audiences worldwide. Their content is broadcast in English, French, and Portuguese. Channel Africa’s Roku channel enables those living outside the continent to easily access their unique brand of Pan-African news coverage.
IrokoTV: Billed as “Netflix for African movies,” IrokoTV has the largest online catalog of Nollywood films. Nollywood is Nigeria’s booming cinema industry and one of the biggest film producers worldwide. Iroko gives fans access to thousands of Nollywood hits on demand. An affordable monthly subscription unlocks this huge collection of Nigerian movies and TV shows on Roku devices.
Sport Klub: Though not exclusively African, Serbia-based Sport Klub operates a number of sports channels with extensive football (soccer) coverage across the continent. Teams from leagues in Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, the Ivory Coast, and more appear regularly in matches broadcast on Sport Klub’s various Roku channels. African soccer fans overseas can watch these games live or on replay.
Trace TV: Trace TV is an Afro-Caribbean music channel broadcasting from France via satellite, cable/IPTV, mobile, and streaming OTT platforms like Roku. With dozens of original shows and exclusive music videos, Trace TV lets viewers in 154 countries get their fix of the latest African and Caribbean hits from artists across the French-speaking diaspora.
TV5Monde Afrique: Part of the wider TV5Monde programming aimed at French-language markets worldwide, TV5Monde Afrique specifically targets viewers in many Francophone African nations such as Senegal, Chad, and Guinea as well as expat communities abroad. News, films, sports, documentaries, music, and kids’ shows make up their round-the-clock lineup with a proudly African focus.
Benefits of Streaming African Channels on Roku
African TV networks on Roku provide numerous benefits both for individuals and the networks themselves:
– Convenience – Roku makes watching African channels easy for anyone with an internet connection, removing geographical barriers. Viewers no longer need a satellite dish or TV subscription.
– Portability – Small streaming devices allow you to watch African channels on any TV in your home or take your Roku with you when traveling abroad. Streaming over wifi enables freedom to move.
– Cost – Streaming TV channels are available for free or with cheap monthly fees compared to hefty cable/satellite bills. Roku itself only costs $20 to $100 for the hardware with free channels available.
– Selection – Roku opens up greater choice beyond what your local cable company may offer. African networks joining the platform gain entirely new overseas markets full of willing viewers.
– Community – Shared entertainment from the motherland is a great way for displaced Africans abroad to stay connected. Familiar TV shows and stars give a sense of cultural cohesion.
Stream the Flavors of Africa Everywhere with Roku
Roku has quickly become the preferred way for African broadcasters to extend their reach far beyond the borders of their countries. Utilizing streaming eliminates barriers faced by traditional distribution methods. More and more African TV networks are discovering the broad opportunities Roku channels offer thanks to globalization and internet connectivity.
For the African diaspora community, their treasured local entertainment crossing over into this mainstream digital realm is a dream come true. Expat families can now pass down beloved Africa-produced films, music videos, and television shows to share cultural heritage. News channels also foster continued awareness of current events back home for Africans residing overseas whether temporarily or long-term. Thanks to this proliferation of African TV channels on Roku, no one has to miss out on the vibrant sights, sounds, and passion of artists across this magical continent no matter where you live in the world.
