We use Google Analytics to understand site usage and measure store performance when you accept analytics cookies. Essential cookies — including the signed affiliate referral cookie used for commission attribution — are not controlled by this choice. See our Privacy Policy for details.
The MediaBlaster blog
Practical guides for creating content, building streaming apps, and growing an audience you control.
Publishing a private or beta Roku app is relatively easy. Publishing that app in the public Roku Streaming Store is a different process. In July 2026, we took the MediaBlaster…
The hardest part of making Roku apps easier for non-developers is not hiding every technical detail. It is turning the repeatable parts—content, artwork, m
There is no universal minimum number of videos for a Roku launch, but there is a practical minimum experience. The app should feel intentional, not empty,
A video app backend needs more than upload fields. The must-have features are metadata, artwork management, publish status, categories, playback URLs, feed
The simplest way to explain a Roku app to a website-first client is to frame it as owned distribution for the living room. A website is where people click;
Learning to build a custom Roku app has gotten a lot easier now that you can use AI tools like Codex, Claude Code and Cursor. Nearly a decade ago, I published a video showing how…
Trailers and featured rows are not decoration; they are merchandising tools. A VOD app should use previews to reduce hesitation, explain unfamiliar content
Creators should choose monetization based on audience intent, content cadence, and perceived value. Subscriptions work when viewers expect ongoing value, a
Search matters more as the catalog grows, but it is not a substitute for clear browsing. For small libraries, categories and featured rows may carry the ex
A VOD app home screen should answer three questions fast: what is new, what is worth watching now, and how do I browse the library? Good home screens use a
Local media companies can use Smart TV apps to turn fragmented video archives into a lean owned channel for shows, town coverage, sports, interviews, and e
One strong niche Roku channel is usually easier to launch, maintain, and explain than a network of small channels. A network can work later, but only when
Put it into practice
Explore the tools behind the guides, or find your next step in the documentation.
MediaBlaster
