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Roku gets Dish international programming -- without the dish

The streaming platform partners with the satellite-TV network to launch a service featuring 50 international channels.

Donna Tam Staff Writer / News
Donna Tam covers Amazon and other fun stuff for CNET News. She is a San Francisco native who enjoys feasting, merrymaking, checking her Gmail and reading her Kindle.
Donna Tam

Roku users can now stream satellite TV's international shows without a dish, thanks to a partnership between the streaming platform and Dish Network's overseas programming.

The companies announced a deal today that launches the DISHWorld service on Roku's streaming platform in the U.S. The service has more than 50 international programming channels, including the leading Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, Bangla, and Brazilian channels, according to a press release. But, Roku users will have to subscribe to DISHWorld if they don't already have a Dish subscription, according to Dish. Plans start at $19.99 per month.

Currently, the programming is available for Roku 2 and Roku LT players, and is expected to expand to the Roku HD player this summer.

This partnership will also allow Dish to expand its distribution of ethnic channels into markets traditionally difficult to reach by satellite. Additionally, Dish will manage the launch and expansion of any future foreign-language channels and content on Roku. Current programming includes Al Jazeera, SET Max, GEO TV, ATN Bangla, and PFC which features Brazilian programs and soccer events.

See more programming, here.

Watch this: Roku LT