Roku Image Guide

Overview

The requirements for cover art for shows to be listed in Roku Search are significantly stricter than they have been simply to put the show up on the channel.

Regular shows on the channel have needed two cover images:

• A regular 16:9 HD image (1920×1080 preferred,1280×720 acceptable)
• A square 1:1 image (1080×1080 or 720×720)

These images are what appear when someone goes directly to the MEGTV channel to browse available shows.  Shows that only supply the rectangular image are either getting a letterboxed square image with top and bottom black stripes or a squished or cut off image in some views.

New: Roku Search

Roku Search also requires two cover images

• an HD rectangular image (16:9, 1920×1080 preferred)
• a tall “portrait” image (2:3 tall orientation, 800×1200).

However, despite the rectangular image being the same size, the requirements for the actual contents of the image are significantly different, so much so that no cover images currently in use on the network would be accepted.

The requirements for Roku Search Feed acceptable images are laid out below. Note that it is only necessary to make these images once for the entire series (all episodes under the same show name.)  You can continue to use the same thumbnails you have for the individual episodes, noting that your shows will have the best appearance on Roku if you supply both the rectangular and square thumbnails for each show. (Otherwise the square thumbnail will continue to be letterboxed, squished, or cut off.)

Roku Search Feed Series Image Guide

The Goal: One clean image per size that makes people want to click. Think “TV-friendly poster,” not a busy YouTube thumbnail.

1. Make exactly TWO files (both required)

• Landscape version → 1920 pixels wide × 1080 pixels high
• Vertical (portrait) version → 800 pixels wide × 1200 pixels high

Save as medium-quality JPG

• Target filesize for Landscape → ~200KB, no larger than 300KB (not MB)
• Target filesize for Vertical → ~150KB, 200KB max

Images do not need to contain identical content but should be recognizably similar.

2. Content Rules (sorry artists)

• Use real photos from the show/podcast whenever possible (see example – the three guys + the bird mascot work great).
• Keep it super clean
  • no background text (blur readable backgrounds)
  • no extra logos, no watermarks, no comic panels
  • no schedules, no “On Roku” text 
  • no extra graphics
  • no season or episode numbers, no credits
• The only text allowed is the actual show title or series name (“3BEERMEN” in the sample). Make it big, bold, and styled exactly like your official logo.
• No clutter. Less is more. Roku reviewers hate busy images.

3. Title (Logo) Placement — Super Important

• Make the title large and easy to read even when the image is small on someone’s TV.
• Place it so it stands out but does not touch the edges (leave breathing room on all four sides — roughly 10% margin).
• Do not put it dead-center if the logo splits the image in two, or in a way that covers faces or looks unbalanced.

Test it: shrink the image down to thumbnail size — the title should still be clear.

4. Quick Do’s & Don’ts

• Do: Look at the example images for the exact style Roku will accept.
• Do: Keep any background simple (solid color, subtle texture, or part of the photo).

• Don’t: Add any extra text, logos, dates, “Season 1”, etc.
• Don’t: Use illustrations, comics, or heavy graphics unless that’s the official show style.
• Don’t: Let the title touch the edges or get lost in the middle of faces.
• Don’t: Make it look like a full advertisement or YouTube thumbnail.

5. Final Check Before Sending

Open both files at actual size.
Zoom out to ~25% — does the title still pop?
Are there any stray words, logos, or busy areas?

Example Images:

Official Roku requirements here: Artwork Guidelines
(You’ll thank us for summarizing.)