Roku, the leading streaming platform in the U.S., is poised to revolutionize how viewers experience live TV with an expansion of its innovative “Build Your Own Multiview” feature. Initially launched last fall with Fubo, the customizable multiview option allowed users to watch up to four live channels simultaneously on select Roku devices, tailored to their preferences. Now, following a recent Roku Developer Conference, the company has announced plans to share this capability with other developers, paving the way for major streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and more to integrate multiview into their apps.
The “Build Your Own Multiview” feature, which debuted in beta form on Roku Ultra and select other devices in September 2024, was a game-changer for Fubo subscribers. Unlike pre-set multiview options offered by some competitors, Fubo’s version let users handpick any combination of live channels—be it sports, news, or entertainment—creating a personalized split-screen experience. The feature quickly gained traction, with fans praising its flexibility and seamless integration into Roku’s user-friendly interface. Building on this success, Roku is now opening the door for other live TV streaming giants to adopt and adapt the technology.
At the Roku Developer Conference held earlier this week, executives unveiled a new developer toolkit designed to simplify the implementation of customizable multiview across third-party apps. The toolkit, which leverages Roku OS’s enhanced capabilities, promises to make it easier for services to offer viewers the ability to watch multiple streams at once—whether it’s catching every angle of a sports-packed Sunday or keeping tabs on breaking news alongside a favorite show. this opens the door for Fubo’s competitors like YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and others to launch multiview on Roku players.
Here are some photos of the new Multiview on Roku:
With services like YouTube TV—already known for its sports-centric multiview feature—poised to potentially enhance its offerings by allowing users to select their own channel combinations rather than relying on curated presets. Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and other players in the live TV streaming space could also benefit, giving subscribers more reasons to stick with their Roku devices over rival platforms.
While Roku has not confirmed a specific timeline, developers at the conference now have the tools to build multiview into their apps. For now, Fubo remains the trailblazer, but the prospect of widespread multiview adoption signals a shift toward greater personalization in streaming—a trend Roku is eager to lead. As the platform continues to dominate the U.S. market, this move could solidify its edge in the increasingly competitive world of cord-cutting entertainment.
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