Users of smart TVs with the Roku interface or Roku connected
devices will be able to access IMDb as an app on the main platform. In
addition, it will continue to be available as an app on Amazon’s Fire TV and as
a free option on Amazon Channels, which Roku users have been able to access in
the past.
IMDb TV, which launched as IMDB FreeDive in 2019 before a
rebrand, is a venue for originals produced by Amazon Studios. Original titles
include spy thriller Alex Rider and docuseries Top Class: The Life and Times of
the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers, which premieres Feb. 26. IMDb TV originals
premiering later in 2021 include the true-crime docu-series Moment of Truth, a
new version of crime drama Leverage, and the Untitled Judge Judy Sheindlin
Project.
The platform made news last year for being the main
third-party streaming entity involved in a deal for Mad Men after the AMC drama
ended its run on Netflix. Other notable library titles include TV series like
Chicago Fire and Schitt’s Creek and films such as The Maze Runner, Ender’s Game
and Shrek Forever After.
IMDb TV, which says it has about half the commercial load of
traditional TV, is part of a group of free, ad-supported streaming outlets
seeing a surge of viewing and ad spending. Adoption of smart TVs (one in three
of which has a Roku interface) is also helping with free streaming, as is the
economic climate.
“We are thrilled to provide customers a seamless and easy
way to view our broadly-appealing content with the distribution of our IMDb TV
app onto millions of Roku devices,” said Mark Eamer, VP of IMDb TV, OTT and
Brand Advertising. “We look forward to delivering our catalog of hit movies,
acclaimed series, nostalgic TV and inventive IMDb TV Originals to Roku’s
engaged customers.”
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.