Roku will remove its Aquatic Life screensaver on December 1 after artist Jim Sachs declined to renew the license for his Marine Aquarium animation. The screensaver, offered on Roku devices for a decade through publisher Prolific Publishing, will be replaced automatically by Roku City, which includes subtle advertising. Sachs says the contract came up for renewal in October and could be ended by either side. He chose to withdraw after learning Fox planned to acquire Roku, saying he did not want his work associated with Fox’s news and entertainment or used to draw viewers toward its ideas.
The choice carries a substantial financial cost: Roku paid $80,000 annually for exclusive rights across set-top devices, and the deal was Sachs’ main source of income. He says losing it will prevent some planned projects, though his aquarium screensaver remains available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Roku has asked him to restore the license, but Sachs has little hope his decision will influence the company; he would reconsider if Fox changed what he calls its rage-driven business model and accepted responsibility for its effects. Fans have described the animation as calming and criticized Roku’s increasing advertising and reliance on sponsored themes. Sachs hopes another streaming service may license it. Fox completed its $22 billion acquisition of Roku on the day the news was reported.
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