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How to create a Roku developer account for my Vimeo OTT branded Roku app

This feature is available as an add-on with an Enterprise plan on Vimeo OTT. Contact your account manager if you would like access to this feature. 

If you purchased a Roku application for your OTT service, you will need to create and register a Roku developer account. This article discusses the steps on the Roku platform required to launch your Roku app.

In this article:

How to create a Roku developer account

If you already use a Roku device, you most likely have a personal Roku account ID. However, it is recommended to create a new account solely associated to your developer profile.

  1. Go to the Roku developer account portal and select Sign in.
  2. Select Create account.
    • If you have an existing Roku application, we can use your existing developer account to manage your Vimeo OTT application.
  3. Insert all necessary information requested and agree to Roku's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Then select Continue.
    • ⚠️Note: The email address you register should be one you and your team have access to. Roku requires you to link a physical Roku device to this email address. Additionally, Roku will deliver information regarding your account and Vimeo OTT application to this email address. Be sure to record your Roku developer account login credentials.
  4. On the next page, you'll be asked to set up a PIN (Personal Identification Number). For security purposes, Roku will request a PIN for making purchases or adding channels to your Roku account. This is similar to an ATM PIN and it can be whatever you'd like. While it is not required, it is highly recommended to set a PIN. Similar to the email address you register, be sure to record your PIN. Do not send this PIN to your Implementation Manager.
  5. The final page will ask for payment information - either by credit card or PayPal. This is used when purchasing items against your Roku account and has no bearing on the developer account or general onboarding setup. After providing all information, select Save and Continue.
  6. Access the inbox of the email address you have registered with and confirm your email with Roku.
  7. After creating your Roku account, you will then be able to select the profile icon in the top-right and select Developers.

Register Your Roku Developer Account

Next, you'll need to enroll for a Roku developer account. To do so:

  1. Select Dashboard from the navigation menu.
  2. When asked to enroll as an Individual or Company, choose Company.
  3. Input all required information including your company name, legal contact information, and website URL.
    • You can use your Vimeo OTT website URL if you do not have a separate website.
  4. After providing all the information, you should be taken to the Roku developer account dashboard.

Invite Vimeo to Your Roku Developer Account

Once you have your developer account registered, you will need to invite our Branded Applications team. To do so:

  1. Navigate to the User Access section.
  2. Select Add User.
  3. Enter the following information to add our Branded Applications team:
    • Email Address: apps@vhx.tv
    • Roles: Administrator
    • Organization: Vimeo
  4. Select Create. 
  5. Inform your Implementation Manager that an invitation to your Roku developer account has been sent.

Link a physical Roku device

Roku requires a physical Roku device to be registered to your developer account to publish applications to the Roku Channel Store. Any model found on Roku's products page would be supported within Vimeo OTT. You can purchase a Roku device from any retailer.

Once you have your Roku device in hand, you can link it to your registered developer account profile during general device setup.

Follow Roku's support guide on how to complete this process.

  • You can confirm whether or not your account has a Roku device linked to it via your My Account section.
    • If you have not completed this step, you will see that you currently have no linked devices.

    • If you have completed this step successfully, you will see your devices listed alongside its location, serial number, and the date it was linked.

Create your beta channel and verify your Roku account

Before our Branded Applications team can build and upload your Roku application into your account, you will need to create a beta channel and have your Roku account verified.

Creating a beta channel does not create a public store listing; it only creates a placeholder for your Roku app.

  1. From the Roku developer dashboard, you can select either Beta channels or Create a channel. While either of these options brings you to the same location, be sure you are creating a beta channel.
  2. On the next screen, select Create channel.
  3. Then, within the prompt, update the following:
    • Channel name = This should be formatted as [YOUR_INTENDED_APP_NAME] DEV.
      • Note: Replace [YOUR_INTENDED_APP_NAME] with your actual service name and do not use this sample text. Keep in mind this beta channel will not be listed as your visible, public application.
    • Channel store countries = This is where your beta application should be available. Choose all countries available, including "Rest of World."
    • Default Language = English
  4. Select Create channel.
  5. You'll be brought to the newly created beta channel interface. From here, select Channel package.
  6. If you've been following all steps properly, you should only see the option to "Verify developer account email."
    • To complete this task, select Verify developer account email to send yourself a verification email. Then, accept the verification email you received from Roku in your inbox at the email address listed.
    • If you did not complete the steps detailed above for linking a physical Roku device, you will also see that option to complete.
  7. Selecting Check Status should fill the circular icons with green checkmarks if all is completed successfully.
  8. Once you complete the above, you should see a Channel package screen with options to provide a .pkg or .zip file, a version number, minimum firmware, etc. If you do, this step can now be considered complete and you do not need to take any action here.

Our Branded Applications team will not be able to generate your Roku application and associate it to your developer account without this step being completed.

Enroll in the Roku Partner Payouts Program

If you intend to monetize your app and offer a paid in-application subscription (SVOD) for your Vimeo OTT service, this enrollment is REQUIRED. If you are offering a free-registration service (FVOD), then enrollment is optional but recommended.

  1. Navigate to Payout Settings to enroll in the Payouts Program.
  2. Follow Roku's instructions to enter information about your business entity & payout method (bank deposit, wire transfer, or PayPal)
  3. You will also submit Tax forms (W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI) 
    • Once you submit your tax forms, Roku will review and approve, which may take up to 72 hours.
    • If your tax forms require a manual review, you will receive an email notification from Roku with more information.
  4. Once you have completed the enrollment, you should see a green indicator at the top of the page

For a step-by-step guide and video demo of the enrollment process, please reference Roku's Official Documentation

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