(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

This week, media conglomerate Fox acquired Roku in a deal worth a whopping $22 billion. The deal won’t be finalized until sometime in 2027, but as someone who makes a living testing, reviewing and recommending TVs, I can’t help but ponder the short- and long-term ramifications for Roku-centric living rooms.Beyond Roku TVs — which arrive with the brand’s excellent streaming software baked right into the TV — Roku makes some of the best streaming devices on the market. They, too, are built around the Roku experience, delivering an easy-to-use interface atop a vast library of downloadable apps.If you use a Roku device on a daily basis for streaming movies, shows and live TV, the next few years of binge-watching and app-jumping could look different. Here are some of the changes that could be on their way.An expansion of the Roku hardware lineup may be in the cards

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)This is purely speculation on my part, but we might see new Roku TVs, streaming sticks and several changes to Roku-branded hardware over the course of the next several years. It all depends on how viable Fox sees the Roku brand as a hardware entity, and how effectively its executives believe they can leverage said hardware.Once upon a time, Roku TVs were, frankly, not very good — at least as far as performance goes. In recent years, Roku-branded TVs have seen substantial improvements. The best Roku TVs today often make use of Mini-LED backlighting, which is partly why their picture quality has gotten better of late.While it’s tough to read the tea leaves about how this acquisition will reshape Roku’s hardware lineup, I don’t expect there to be a significant reduction in Roku TVs, streaming sticks (like the Roku Streaming Stick 4K) and Roku boxes. The reason for this is simple: Fox now has a direct line to the Roku home screen in millions of people’s homes.With this connection, Fox can now effectively integrate its own apps and services into our collective Roku experience. It's a benefit that most other media giants don’t have.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.The Roku Channel or other apps could be retired