Roku: Anthony Wood

How I Built This · 21 Nov 2022 · 1h 12m

What this episode covers

Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, recounts his journey from early software ventures to creating the ReplayTV DVR and ultimately launching the Roku streaming platform. He details the strategic decision to license the Roku operating system to TV manufacturers rather than selling hardware directly, and explains how the company monetizes through advertising and revenue sharing with content providers. Wood also discusses the importance of simplicity in product design, the competitive landscape against giants like Amazon and Google, and his philosophy on philanthropy and wealth.

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