Why I Need to Go Back to Roku

Back in September 2023, I decided to run a short experiment: I wanted to try using Google TV exclusively for 30 days to get a feel for the platform's recent changes. As a long-time devoted Roku user, I felt it was necessary to give Google’s content-forward interface a proper test. That 30-day trial ended up lasting 26 months. Sticking with Google TV for that long speaks volumes about how compelling its interface is -- it actually pulled me away from my original, preferred streaming platform for over two years. However, I recently realized that this singular focus, while comfortable, has meant I have been remiss in keeping up with the industry. For a cord-cutting blogger who advises others on all the "Big Four" platforms, getting left behind is not an option. It was time for a necessary shift.

The 26-Month Google TV Experience

My commitment to Google TV was entirely driven by its interface. Unlike the Roku home screen, which is essentially just a grid of apps, Google TV prioritizes content discovery.

What made Google TV so successful was that it perfected a hands-off, personalized routine. I rarely ever needed to leave the main "For You" screen. The interface, which pulls content from all my linked services, automatically organized it into personalized rows based on my watch history, preferences, and ratings. This high degree of automatic personalization made the TV a seamless part of my routine, always anticipating what I wanted to watch next without any effort on my part. I also preferred it over Fire TV’s similar content-first approach, which always felt overly aggressive in pushing Amazon's own store and content. For over two years, the personalized, active discovery of Google TV worked perfectly for my streaming habits.

The Return to Roku’s Neutrality

While Google TV is brilliant at deep personalization, that strength became the very reason for my necessary change. I needed my TV to be a tool again, not a personalized companion. The interface that was once so compelling began to feel demanding.

The switch back to Roku is currently underway. I am in the process of signing back into apps and getting the system set up. The simple switch -- just putting the Google TV remote in a drawer and picking up the Roku remote for the soundbar -- immediately provided a clean, familiar experience. Instantly, I was presented with the simple, familiar grid of apps. No wall of automatically generated recommendations. No personalized content feeds. Just the apps I use, waiting for me to choose. That kind of predictable and clean experience is exactly what I need right now. This weekend will mark my first major viewing session back on the Roku platform.

Catching Up on the Streaming Wars

My long tenure on Google TV led me to miss significant updates across the entire industry. I have a lot of work ahead of me, and I am genuinely looking forward to diving deep into each platform to see how they've evolved over the last two years.

I am treating the Roku platform almost like a new device, and I need to assess its current state for you, my readers. I will be exploring its latest offerings -- from its new AI-powered Voice Search to its improved audio controls -- to see what I missed. Beyond that, I need to dedicate time to re-evaluating the current state of the Apple TV and Fire TV platforms, especially considering the changes in their interfaces, ad loads, and performance. My Streaming Life now requires a focus on professional knowledge and platform neutrality. The next few weeks will be all about evaluating these major streaming platforms and seeing exactly what I've been missing.