Roku Adds Streaming UFC Content Including Live PPV UFC Matches
By Rachel Cericola
In a fighting mood? Fire up the Roku!
The manufacturer just announced that Roku customers can now get an Ultimate Fighting fix via any Roku streaming media box. Starting today, the UFC Channel will be available in the Roku Channel Store. The channel itself is free, and will allow you to view some free content as well as order premium content such as live pay-per-view UFC events through the box. There's also the UFC Vault, which is an archieved library full of fury (available for a fee).
The first official live UFC event will be UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans, which will air Saturday, May 29 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight pits lightweight rivals Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans in the Octagon.
If you want to get access to this event, as well as other live and archived premium events, expect to pay $44.99 a pop. There's plenty of free content, but to crack into the Vault, you'll need to pay a subscription fee ($59.99 for 6 months) or $1.99 per fight a la cart.
The UFC Channel is the latest in Roku's streaming sports lineup, which includes MLB.TV and NBA Game Time. Roku's streaming players also feature more than 50,000 movies, TV shows and more, via other partners, such as Netflix. Players start at $79.99 for standard-def; HD will cost $20 extra.
Roku also says that the Roku Software Developer's Kit now features HTTP Live Streaming, meaning more possibilities for live events from other content providers.
"The Roku player is capable of delivering amazing live events, in HD, on the TV. We are excited to be UFC's lead partner in bringing the total UFC experience -- from live events and classic fights to insider previews, countdowns, and training coverage -- to fans everywhere, whenever they want it," said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. "The new UFC channel joins a growing list of major streaming content services for the TV that started first on Roku, including Netflix, MLB.TV, and Amazon Video On Demand -- further strengthening our position as the leader in delivery of premium streaming content."
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