Roku has rolled out a new Subscriptions tab on its home screen, reshaping how users track and resume content across multiple streaming services from a single interface.
The new Subscriptions view groups recently watched programmes and surfaced recommendations from services users pay for through Roku, aiming to reduce the friction of jumping between separate apps and menus.
This update reflects Roku’s ongoing push to act as a central hub for streaming rather than a neutral launcher, especially as households juggle subscriptions across multiple platforms and devices.
The Subscriptions tab highlights recently viewed shows alongside new and popular titles pulled from supported services, creating a unified feed tied directly to account-level subscriptions.
The feature currently works when subscriptions are managed through Roku’s own billing system, rather than accounts created independently inside individual streaming apps or external websites.
That limitation means the experience may differ significantly depending on how users originally signed up for platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, or Peacock.
Roku’s system automatically detects active subscriptions and tracks viewing progress, allowing the Subscriptions tab to surface unfinished episodes or films without requiring manual setup from the user.
This approach aligns with broader industry trends that prioritise content continuity, especially as streaming platforms compete to reduce churn by keeping viewers engaged across fragmented libraries.
The change addresses a long-standing frustration around streaming platforms struggling to reliably remember and surface previously watched content.
What users think – and what it means for you
Reaction to the Subscriptions tab has been mixed, with some users welcoming the convenience while others expressing frustration about changes to a home screen they already felt was crowded.
Several users on Reddit have raised concerns about privacy and household viewing habits, particularly when shared devices surface recently watched content without context or profile separation.
Roku allows the Subscriptions tab to be hidden through the home screen settings menu, placing the feature alongside other optional rows that users can customise or disable.
Some users have also questioned how distinct the new tab feels compared with the existing Continue Watching and What to Watch sections, suggesting its usefulness depends on subscription volume.
The update arrives as streaming aggregation becomes more common, though subscribing through intermediary platforms like Roku can limit access to promotional pricing or bundled deals offered directly by services.
Roku is rolling out the Subscriptions tab automatically, with availability depending on device updates, and the company has not indicated whether deeper customisation or opt-out controls will follow.
