How to setup a Roku Channel with a Live Video Broadcast

Broadcasting video to a Roku channel allows you to reach a large audience, monetize your content through ads and subscriptions, and benefit from a user-friendly interface. It offers customizable content delivery, detailed viewer analytics, and cross-platform integration, making it a scalable and engaging option for content creators and businesses.

By following these steps, you should be able to set up a Roku channel and integrate a live broadcast using MediaCP Cloud Video and an HLS M3U8 link successfully. If you encounter any issues, MediaCP’s documentation and support can be valuable resources. Happy streaming!

Step 1: Set Up Your Live Channel

1. Create a new Live Channel in the MediaCP Cloud Video
   • Login to the MediaCP Cloud Video
   • Navigate to the Live Channels page
   • Create a new Live Channel
2. Obtain the Direct HLS Link
   • Go to your MediaCP Cloud Video control panel.
   • Navigate to the Service Overview of your live channel.
   • Under the HTML Embed Code tab, find the M3U8 link. This link is typically included in the embed code for the player.
   • Copy the M3U8 link for use in your Roku channel.

Step 2: Set Up Your Roku Channel

1. Create a Roku Developer Account:
   • Go to the Roku Developer Portal and sign up for a developer account.
   • Complete the registration process and agree to the terms and conditions.
2. Create a New Channel:
   • Once logged in, navigate to My Channels and click on Add Channel.
   • Fill in the required details such as channel name, description, and category.
   • Choose Direct Publisher as the channel type.
3. Set Up Your Channel Feed:
   • Roku Direct Publisher requires a JSON feed file that contains metadata about your content.
   • Create a JSON feed file that includes details about your live stream. Here’s a basic example:
     
     {
"providerName": "YourProviderName",
"lastUpdated": "2024-11-11T00:00:00Z",
"language": "en",
"liveFeeds": [ { "id": "live1", "title": "Live Broadcast", "content": { "dateAdded": "2024-11-11T00:00:00Z", "videos": [ { "url": "https://your-direct-stream-url/index.m3u8",
"quality": "FHD",
"videoType": "HLS" } ] } } ]
}
   • Host this JSON file on a web server that is accessible via HTTPS.
4. Link Your Feed to Your Channel:
   • In the Roku Developer Portal, go to your channel’s settings and enter the URL of your JSON feed.
   • Validate the feed to ensure there are no errors.
5. Customize Your Channel:
   • Add branding elements like logos and splash screens.
   • Configure other settings such as parental controls and monetization options.
6. Submit Your Channel for Review:
   • Once everything is set up, submit your channel for Roku’s review.
   • After approval, your channel will be available on the Roku Channel Store.

Step 3: Start broadcasting to the Live Channel

1. Download and Install OBS Studio:
   • If you haven’t already, download and install OBS Studio from obsproject.com.
2. Configure OBS Studio:
   • Open OBS Studio and go to Settings.
   • In the Stream tab, select Custom… as the service.
   • Enter the server URL and stream key provided by MediaCP Cloud Video. You can find these details in your MediaCP control panel under the encoder connection details.
3. Set Up Your Scene:
   • Create a new scene in OBS and add your sources (e.g., webcam, screen capture).
4. Start Streaming
   • Click on Start Streaming in OBS to begin broadcasting to your MediaCP live channel.
5. Check Your Roku Channel:
   • Go back to the Roku Developer Portal and re-validate your feed if necessary
   • If there are no errors, your live stream should now be integrated into your Roku channel.
6. Monitor and Maintain:
   • Regularly monitor your live stream to ensure it is functioning correctly.
   • Update your JSON feed and M3U8 links as needed to reflect any changes in your live broadcast setup.