'What is happening?' TV fans cry as Amazon Fire Stick rival disappears from stores
According to reports, it's becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to get their hands on the POPULAR alternative to Amazon's Fire TV Sticks.
And it has left people with little choice but to opt for the rival Fire TV Stick.
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While there's no shortage of Roku-branded smart TVs in stores, fans have flooded the company's social media and help forum with reports of a nationwide inventory shortage.
Like the Fire Stick, the Roku dongle is a USB-sized gadget that plugs into the HDMI port to deliver a range of streaming services to the television.
But according to customers in recent months, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Roku Express, and Roku Express 4K are all unavailable in physical stores and on most websites.
It has raised fears that signal Roku's decision to withdraw the product from Britain.
“I would really like to upgrade my Roku to a Roku with Dolby Vision, leaving the Streaming Stick 4K as my only option,” one customer wrote in a community forum on Roku's website in December.
“Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like any retailers are selling it anymore.
“Does anyone know if it's coming back or if there might be a new model in the works?”
They can usually be found in retailers like Argos, John Lewis and Currys, but all three of these stores list the Roku Express and Express 4K as out of stock.
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Even the store locator on Roku's website returns no results.
“@Roku, your devices are out of stock everywhere in the UK. Any chance they'll be back soon before I break down and get a Fire Stick? an user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another tweeted: “Your Roku devices have been out of stock in the UK for almost two months now. What is going on?”
However, a spokesperson told GBNews that more devices are on the way.
The US streaming brand said: “We are currently experiencing shipping delays on Roku Streaming Players, and they will be back in stock later this month.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and remain committed to providing customers in the UK with a seamless smart TV experience with Roku Streaming Players and Roku TVs.”