Roku's Black-Friday Sale Preview: Epic Entertainment Deals and a Whole Roster of Bargains
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Roku’s Black‑Friday Sale Preview: Epic Entertainment Deals and a Whole Roster of Bargains
CNET’s latest “Deal of the Day” preview for Black Friday dives straight into one of the most anticipated sales of the year: Roku’s lineup of streaming devices and bundles, accompanied by a swathe of entertainment‑subscription discounts and a handful of other tech‑savvy steals. In this rundown, we’ll walk through the key offers highlighted in the article, point out the most compelling deals, and give you a few pointers on how to snag the best of the best.
1. Roku’s Core Line‑up Gets a Black‑Friday Punch
The centerpiece of the preview is Roku’s own hardware. The retailer is offering three of its flagship streaming sticks at a massive markdown—everything from the entry‑level Express to the premium Ultra comes with a discount that is hard to ignore.
| Device | Regular Price | Black Friday Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roku Express | $34.99 | $19.99 | 43 % |
| Roku Premiere | $44.99 | $29.99 | 33 % |
| Roku Ultra | $69.99 | $49.99 | 29 % |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | $49.99 | $39.99 | 20 % |
All three sticks also come with free standard‑shipping to the U.S., and the higher‑end models—Roku Ultra and the 4K stick—are bundled with a 10‑month subscription to the Roku Plus streaming service for an extra $8 (a 30 % discount on the usual price). For users who don’t need the extra bandwidth of a 4K stick, the Express remains an inexpensive gateway to Roku’s library of free and paid channels.
Beyond the sticks, Roku also offers its own “Streambar 4K” soundbar, which delivers a Dolby Audio experience for an often‑quoted price of $199, down from $219. The article also mentions the newer Roku Streambar 4K+, which is discounted to $249 from $269. For sound‑centric shoppers, these offers are a no‑brainer—particularly because the Streambar’s “HDMI‑ARC” compatibility means a simple cable setup on most TVs.
2. Bundles: More Value in a One‑Box Deal
If you’re looking to upgrade your entire viewing experience, Roku’s bundled packages are worth a look. The article notes that Roku is bundling its 4K stick with a 2‑year subscription to Disney+ at a 40 % discount, and that the Ultra is paired with a complimentary 12‑month subscription to HBO Max. The bundles are only available in a handful of retailers (Best Buy, Walmart, and the official Roku site) and will run from early November to Thanksgiving day.
In addition, Roku is running a special “Roku & Netflix Bundle” that includes a 6‑month Netflix Premium subscription for $5.99 per month (the regular price is $15.99). This particular bundle is only available to U.S. customers and requires a separate subscription to the Netflix app on Roku’s own platform.
3. The Sub‑Industry: Entertainment‑Subscription Discounts
One of the most popular elements of any Black‑Friday tech sale is the deal‑maker that comes in the form of discounted subscription services. CNET’s article highlights a few major subscription discounts that can be paired with Roku devices:
- Disney+ – Get the “Disney+ Annual” plan for just $6.99 per month (normally $7.99) for the first 12 months, and then $7.99 thereafter. This deal is available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
- Hulu + Live TV – The “Hulu + Live TV” package starts at $54.99 per month for the first year (normally $65.99). The offer is exclusive to the Hulu website, but can be activated directly from a Roku device.
- Netflix – Netflix’s “Premium” plan is discounted to $7.99 per month for the first 6 months, with the standard $15.99 rate kicking in afterward. The deal is available at Netflix.com and Amazon.com.
- Amazon Prime Video – Amazon Prime Video’s “Prime Video Unlimited” plan is discounted to $8.99 per month for the first year, then $12.99 thereafter. The offer is only available at Amazon and Prime Video’s own site.
- Apple TV+ – The Apple TV+ subscription comes with a $6.99 monthly rate for the first 12 months, then the normal $7.99 rate. Apple is offering a free 90‑day trial for new subscribers, which can be activated from any device that supports Apple TV+.
The article advises that the best way to leverage these discounts is to buy a streaming stick from Roku and immediately subscribe to the discounted plan using the device’s integrated app store. That way, you’ll have the best of both worlds: inexpensive hardware plus a high‑quality subscription at a fraction of the regular price.
4. Other Tech Bargains Worth Mentioning
While Roku steals the headline, CNET’s preview also spotlights a handful of other deals that are too good to ignore:
- TVs – Samsung 65" QLED 4K TVs at $699 (down from $899). LG OLED 55" models are on sale for $749 (regularly $999). Sony Bravia 75" 4K TVs can be found for $1,399 (normally $1,599).
- Soundbars – Bose 700 Soundbar at $799 (regularly $999). Sonos Beam at $399 (down from $599).
- Gaming – Xbox Series X bundles with a free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for 12 months at $299 (regularly $499). PlayStation 5 bundles with a 1‑year subscription to PlayStation Plus at $239 (regularly $449).
- Smart Speakers – Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) at $29 (down from $49). Google Nest Mini at $19 (down from $39).
The article highlights that many of these deals are retailer‑exclusive and have limited stock, so it’s best to act quickly. Additionally, it notes that some of the higher‑end deals come with free shipping only if you meet a minimum purchase amount (usually $25–$50). For instance, buying a Sony Bravia TV and a Bose soundbar together will get you free shipping on the entire order.
5. Tips for Getting the Most Out of Black‑Friday
The CNET piece ends with a set of practical “Black‑Friday play‑book” tips that will help you snag the best deals:
- Set a Budget – Before you start scrolling, decide how much you’re willing to spend on a streaming device, TV, and any subscriptions. That will help you avoid impulse purchases.
- Create Alerts – Many retailers (Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart) let you set price alerts. Use these to keep tabs on when a product drops to its lowest price.
- Check Return Policies – Even if you’re sure about a deal, double‑check the return window. Some sellers may restrict returns on Black‑Friday purchases.
- Bundle Wisely – If you’re buying a Roku device, consider pairing it with a subscription discount that fits your viewing habits. For instance, a family who binge‑streams Disney+ can go for the discounted 12‑month plan.
- Act Early – The article notes that “Black‑Friday deals are hot commodities.” Many retailers open sales at 7 p.m. ET, so it pays to be online early.
6. Where to Find the Full List
CNET’s article contains a table that lists every item in the preview, including product details, pricing, and the retailer. While the summary above covers the most headline‑making deals, the full page is a useful reference if you’re looking for niche items (such as a particular gaming headset or a mid‑range soundbar). The page also has links to each retailer’s product page, so you can compare shipping times and verify the discount codes.
Bottom Line
Roku’s Black‑Friday preview is a goldmine for anyone looking to upgrade their home‑entertainment setup without breaking the bank. From discounted streaming sticks to bundled subscriptions and additional tech bargains, the deals span the full spectrum of modern living‑room gear. If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, sound system, or simply want to try a new streaming platform at a reduced rate, the next week will offer plenty of opportunities to do just that. Mark your calendar, set your alerts, and get ready to score some serious savings.
Read the Full CNET Article at:
[ https://www.cnet.com/deals/rokus-black-friday-sale-preview-has-epic-entertainment-deals-and-other-great-bargains/ ]