Roku watchers blocked from TV shows and movies even if they spent money, slamming ‘sad day’ – app clue means you’re affected

ROKU watchers have been blocked from some of their content – ​​and a simple check reveals if you’ve been affected too.

Some users even lost access to the movies they paid for.

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Everything is linked to the closure of Redbox, the former streaming giant that went bankrupt earlier this year.

The service was forced offline after its parent company, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, went bankrupt and was liquidated.

Now, the Redbox website and apps have stopped working – including on Roku devices, which now show an error warning for the channel.

In a post on the Roku forums, one disappointed user wrote: “So with Redbox’s parent company going bankrupt, all Redbox isn’t showing is nothing, the app and the website.

“I bought some films there, but now they are not accessible.

“Lesson learned…buy the DVD, get a physical copy if you want, never use the cloud.”

Another said: “From what I understand, it appears operations have been suspended.

And one added: “Yeah, apparently they decided to screw everyone. I lost probably $10,000 in film ownership thinking they wouldn’t do anything like that.”

A post on Reddit saw a user ask: “What happened to the Redbox app on my Roku TV – it says it’s not available?”

And another said: “What a shame. I was still to hire when there was a good movie. And I would buy some of my favorites for cheap.”

One added: “I spent a lot on Redbox movies thinking it would be a forever box of movies bought since DVDs ran out.

“It shows that there is no security of film ownership in my life. Sad, sad day.”

Of course, the problem is not Roku’s fault – as a Roku community moderator explained on the official forums.

They wrote: “Thanks for letting us know that Redbox is no longer working.

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“We are aware of an issue with the Redbox channel where it is not accessible and customers will not be able to log in, view content or make purchases.

“This is an issue with Redbox and not your Roku device.

“We suggest contacting Redbox support for any questions regarding access or purchased content.”

Redbox began offering DVD rentals at kiosks in 2004.

The company launched its Redbox Instant video streaming service in 2013 – but it was shut down at the end of 2014.

And in December 2017, it launched a new video streaming service called Redbox On Demand.

The company then launched Redbox Free Live TV in February 2020.

In 2022, Redbox was purchased by Chicken Soup for Soul Entertainment.

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Then, in April of this year, the parent company announced losses of almost US$637 million.

It filed for bankruptcy at the end of June and is now in the process of liquidating its assets.