Roku uses a proprietary programming language called BrightScript. BrightScript is a powerful scripting language specifically designed for Roku channel development. The language is somewhat unique, but it has similarities with Python and JavaScript. Roku developers use BrightScript in combination with Roku's SceneGraph framework, an XML-based language used to structure the channel's user interface and handle user input. Understanding these two components—BrightScript and SceneGraph—is crucial for Roku development for programmers.