Roxi Karaoke Channel
Courtesy of Roxi
U.K.-headquartered TV-based music streaming service Roxi, backed by the likes of Simon Cowell, Kylie Minogue and Sheryl Crow, just revealed its plan to launch in the U.S. over the weekend. Now, at CES, Roxi has unveiled a partnership with broadcaster Sinclair that will see the TV station giant start distributing three of its interactive music channels, which work over regular broadcast TV, across the U.S. in early 2024.
The deal, financial details of which weren’t disclosed, covers the Roxi Music Channel, the Roxi Music Karaoke Channel and the Roxi Music Games Channel.
“Through our strategic partnership with Roxi, we’re building a better and more interactive broadcast television experience,” said Skip Flenniken, vp, general manager of technology business development at Sinclair. “We’re confident this partnership will help accelerate the adoption of NextGen TV by delivering entertainment features that consumers will increasingly come to demand on their televisions.”
Roxi CEO Rob Lewis also touted the agreement. “Our partnership with Sinclair will revolutionize what broadcast TV means for millions of households across the U.S. – viewers will get instant access to TV music channels that feature the interactivity and capabilities of a music app, without having to download or launch an app,” he said. “Our viewers will be able to pause, play and skip on broadcast TV for the first time. It is a true revolution in linear TV.”
Roxi, which launched in 2017, says it has licensing deals with all major music labels. Its strategy is to partner with pay TV companies, smart TV vendors and broadcasters to take on the likes of YouTube Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music by offering consumers a different proposition. In addition to offering interactive channels, which it is showcasing in sneak previews at CES in Las Vegas, it is known for its app that promises to “turn TVs into an alternative to smart speakers” for music controlled by consumers’ voices, with a broad catalog of music videos rather than an audio-only offering.
Roxi shared SurveyMonkey research from July that it commissioned that surveyed 1,098 U.S. internet users. It found that 77 percent of U.S. consumers thought that free, subscription-less interactive music TV channels, karaoke and music games would be an attractive feature when selecting their next TV.
Roxi, currently also available in the U.K., promotes its music services on its website. “100 million music videos,” the site promises. “Bring your home to life with music from every genre and decade, all full screen on your TV.” One part of the site also touts its channel lineup. “Music channels, ready to play,” it says, adding: “Whatever the mood or occasion, just hit play for effortless entertainment.” Among the offerings shown on the site are such channels as “Greatest Music Videos of All Time,” “Best of the 2000s,” “Best of the 80s” and “Classic Pop.”
“Nights in with Roxi,” is another slogan found on the site. “From karaoke to music games, have fun with family and friends from the comfort of your sofa.”
Other investors in the company include the likes of Robbie Williams, Alesha Dixon, Stephen Fry, former Formula 1 and McLaren executive Ron Dennis, former U2 manager Paul McGuinness and others.