Roku is about to turn your TV into an art gallery. With the new Backdrops feature, your TV transforms into a canvas of curated artwork with just a click. It offers everything from classic masterpieces to abstract designs, making your TV a more stylish part of the room. Think of it as the perfect conversation starter, minus the awkward small talk.
In the next few weeks, Backdrops will be available on Roku TVs. The catalog includes iconic works from museums and plenty of eye-catching modern pieces. Want to show off that incredible vacation photo? No problem—you can display your own images too. Whether it’s a shot of a stunning sunset or your pet doing something ridiculous, you can feature it on the biggest screen in your home.
“We’ve always known our TVs are good for more than just binge-watching,” said Brian Pinkerton, Roku’s SVP of Advanced Development. “Now, you can turn your TV into a centerpiece for your room. The best part? It won’t cost you anything extra—unless your taste in art runs towards priceless originals.”
Backdrops has a few tricks up its sleeve, too. You can customize the time each image stays on screen or adjust the brightness to match the mood. Don’t feel like reaching for the remote? Use your voice to activate it, because let’s be honest, the remote is probably under the couch. And if you’re the curious type, you can learn more about each artwork, like who painted it and what they were thinking when they did.
Getting started with Backdrops is straightforward. Once the feature is available, it will pop up in your settings or show up as a new app on the home screen. Just click to get your gallery going. Instead of a blank screen when the TV’s off, you’ll have a rotating display of your favorite art—or that photo of your cat dressed as a pirate.
Backdrops will begin rolling out soon to Roku-branded TVs and third-party models. Roku streaming players and streambars can expect it to arrive later this fall.
