Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any views expressed are always 100% my own.
This new look marks the first significant update of the Roku Home Screen in over a decade, but still offers a tailored, content-forward way of watching.
New features include:
- Quick Access for your most used apps, continuously adapting to your routine
- An intelligence-driven and expanded content-first “Top Picks for You” section
- New genre-based destinations such as:
- For You , built on your interests and filled with fresh personalized picks
- Subscriptions , allowing for a convenient way to browse and discover from across all your subscriptions in one place
- Search in key destinations with relevant suggestions and results
- A streamlined collapsible menu
- Elevated shortcuts for everyday actions including Save List, Continued Watching, and more
- Your Daily Scoop , a dynamic row that brings you a curated digest of breakout shows and cultural trends
- A Roku City tile , taking you to an interactive version of your favorite screensaver
To learn what went into making Roku's new TV Home Screen, I listened to a Ruko team panel including
- Margret Schmidt, VP of User Experience Design & Research (moderator)
- Preston Smalley, VP of Viewer Product
- Frances Callaghan, Head of Ad Product Commercialization
- Rohit Mahto, Senior Director of Personalization & Search Product
Roku conducted extensive user research (* Roku/Harris Poll April 2026), including thousands of one-on-one interviews and surveys, to improve their home screen. Key findings included a desire for personalized content recommendations, with 82% of users wanting their preferred show at the top. Users appreciated large tiles but wanted more content visibility.
The design process emphasized simplicity, emotional connections through faces, and effective use of space. A/B testing validated user behavior.
To address ad fatigue, ads were optimized for better frequency and relevance. The team also focused on maintaining a snappy interface across all devices, ensuring the home screen remains efficient and user-friendly.
Meet the new Roku Home Screen | Roku
Guided by deep behavioral insights and viewer input, this update ensures every change is grounded in what users actually do, need, and value.
With billions of possible Home Screen combinations, Roku’s intelligence models pick the best one for each viewer every time they turn on their TV.
The new Home Screen is now available across all Roku TVs and streaming devices in the United States. Expansion to additional countries will follow in the coming months.
To learn more, visit - www.roku.com
