Los Angeles — Screensaver Artist Ends Roku Deal After Fox Acquisition

Jim Sachs, creator of the long-running Marine Aquarium screensaver, ended his licensing agreement with Roku after Fox Corporation completed its acquisition of the streaming platform this week, Ars Technica reported. Roku users on affected devices will lose access to the screensaver, marketed on the platform as "Aquatic Life," starting December 1.

Why did the developer walk away from the deal?

Sachs told Prolific Publishing, the company that handled his licensing with Roku, that he would not renew the agreement the day after learning Fox planned to buy Roku, according to Ars Technica. The deal between Fox and Roku closed November 6, 2026. "I can't be part of the Fox world," Sachs told the outlet, citing Fox News' approach to news and entertainment. Asked about his specific concerns, Sachs said, "It seems that Fox simply wants another venue for spreading their philosophy, which I consider repugnant. I can't stand the idea of my artwork being used to lure even one person down that rabbit hole."

How long had Marine Aquarium been on Roku, and what was the arrangement worth?

Roku had licensed the animation, officially called Marine Aquarium and developed by Sachs through his company SereneScreen, for 10 years, Ars Technica reported. The licensing agreement renewed every October and could be canceled by either party for any reason, according to Sachs. He told Ars the exclusive licensing rate was $80,000 per year for all set-top devices, versus $60,000 per year for non-exclusive rights — and that Roku had always chosen the exclusive option.

What happens to Roku users who had the screensaver?

Roku will automatically switch affected devices from the Aquatic Life screensaver to the Roku City screensaver, which includes what Ars Technica described as subtle advertisements, according to the user notice cited in the report. The change was first reported by Cord Cutters News, per Ars Technica. The Aquatic Life screensaver had offered an ad-free display, and Ars Technica noted that users online have objected to its removal, including a Reddit post describing it as a tool for managing ADHD-related focus issues.

Did losing the deal hurt the developer financially?

Sachs told Ars Technica the decision carries "major financial consequences," since the Roku licensing deal was his primary source of income; he said sales of the computer version of the screensaver were low by comparison. "Our needs are very small, with a high property tax bill being the only significant expense," Sachs said. "We'll be okay but can't start any of the projects I had planned."

Could the screensaver return to Roku?

Sachs told Ars Technica he is interested in placating fans of Marine Aquarium and said Roku has asked him to restore the license. Ars Technica reported that it asked Roku to confirm details of the licensing agreement but did not receive a response before publication. The screensaver remains available for purchase on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, according to the report, though its return to Roku's platform appears uncertain.