If you have been watching Roku’s provided TV without an antenna, hit the star button on your remote with the Live TV app highlighted on the home screen. This will bring up an option to scan (or rescan) for local channels. Despite its appearance, you do not need an antenna to watch live TV on the Live TV app on your Roku.

• On Roku’s website, it’s the model that shows up when you click on Roku Streaming Stick, but you’ll need to double-check what you’re buying at other stores.
• Alternatively, you can also navigate to the “Guide” section of the service and look for something to watch.
• The dongle needs a mains connection, but you get a cable and a plug in the box, as well as two AAA batteries to power the remote.
• Live TV channels, though not the most prominent of features on a Roku device, is, by all means, a very handy feature nonetheless.
• Before buying new cables, try swapping your Roku’s HDMI cable with any other HDMI cable you have, as a test.
• It also supports Bluetooth connectivity and can stream in Dolby Vision, on top of its 4K capability.
• Yes, all of the free streaming services we’ve included in this guide are 100% completely, totally free.
• You can add the services you have to your profile and manage your watchlist for all of them in one place.
• I usually just do one update a month unless Roku removes or adds a whole bunch of channels mid-month or changes a whole bunch of channel numbers (as they do occasionally).

To test to see if this is the problem, try connecting your Roku directly to your TV. If the problem goes away, that’s a good sign your middle device isn’t HDCP 2.2-compliant. If you see Roku error code 009, it means that your Roku is successfully connected to your router, but it can’t reach the Internet. If your other Wi-Fi devices are operating Roku Casino normally, restart your Roku. If the other devices can’t connect either, try rebooting your modem and router, and then restart your devices.

Pros and Cons of Using an OTA Antenna

So, first of all, we will show you an omnipotent way that lets you record anything on your Roku TV. There will be a list of TV channels, so you can select the one you like and start to watch them. So consider signing up for a live TV streaming service such as DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, Vidgo, and YouTube TV, and see which one works best for you. And so, when you experience Live TV channels issues, the conventional ones that is, look no further but the ports, the cables, and the very mode through which they are made available. And so, when facing issues with Live TV channels or any other issue such as poor download speed on Roku, check and update the Roku firmware.

That’s a major win if you’re running a much-less powerful set but still want ample picture performance. The longest bit for me was waiting for the device to fully reboot and download a software update, but again it shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes at most. You will have to sign into all of your streaming apps, which might take a few extra minutes. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is not just Roku’s smallest device but one of the slimmest streaming sticks in the market. It weighs just 0.90 ounces (26.0 grams) and measures 3.7 inches by 0.80 inches with an added 0.45 inches of thickness.

How to Watch Live Sports on Roku Without Cable

Roku TV is a smart television platform where you can watch many streaming videos, TV shows, and programs, as it supports a wide range of platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Live, Sling TV, etc. Sometimes, you may want to watch your favorite videos offline, or you cannot watch live shows due to time conflicts, then the easiest way is to record on Roku. There are other free channels, too, such as network TV channels, like FOX News and ABC. Plus, there are some free apps that have a selection of content available, like Pluto TV, which has free sports, news and live TV channels, as well as some on-demand movies and TV shows.

Introduced today, Roku Live TV Guide is a new way for audiences to find free TV channels (both live and not) without installing a single app. The new Roku Streaming Stick isn’t anything like the Roku Ultra. Instead of targeting the high-end market, Roku sells this stick for $30, and at that price, I don’t see how you can go wrong. There are some limitations to be aware of, mainly that it only streams in 1080p, so don’t plug this into your 4K TV hoping to get the best picture quality. What I did was plug it into my 10+ year-old Samsung TV to give it a new life. This TV was bought long before smart TVs became commonplace, but with this Roku Streaming Stick, you’d think it was a brand-new TV.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: A slimmed-down 4K HDR powerhouse

YouTube isn’t just home to viral videos; it’s also one of the most overlooked places to stream full-length movies and TV shows for free. Tucked between music videos and meme compilations, there’s a deep well of licensed movies and complete TV episodes available to watch without paying a cent. Plus, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage to save your recordings for up to 9 months. Once you ensure proper cable etiquette, it is time to check and rescan the channels, especially Live TV channels on your Roku TV. With that said, let’s take a look at how to tackle issues with OTA channels transmitted through cable and Dish inputs.

Accessing the Live TV Guide

Hulu is an affordable option that has plenty to offer, including both on-demand and live TV entertainment, depending on the package selected. It’s a reliable and excellent way to stream live television from your Roku. On-demand packages are as low as $7.99, but they do not include live TV. Sling is at the top of our list due to its fantastic programming options and prices. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but it surpasses many other on-demand, live TV services.

Roku’s releasing Live TV Guide in staggered waves, like when Instagram rolls out a new feature to select groups of users over a span of months. That’s really all I have to say that’s negative about the device. In my case, I have a 1080p that I keep in my basement, so there’s no sense spending the extra money for a 4K device since I’ll never need one for this TV. There were a few times when I was told I had insufficient power to my stick, but the pop-up went away on its own within seconds and didn’t impact anything. It might be something I have to prepare for down the line, but it seems all good as of right now. My TV is very old, so that could be the culprit, and I can always switch to a wall outlet if needed.

D. CBS News

But if it’s not, then you can simply download Sling on the Roku store and add it to your lineup of channels. You might be asked for your Roku PIN and Sling credentials in the process. Some Sling users have reported that Sling occasionally crashes on Roku, but an upgrade or refresh usually does the trick. While there are a number free streaming services to choose from such as Sling Freestream, Tubi, and Freevee, one of the prime places to check for free TV and movies is the Roku Channel. This is essentially a streaming service within a streaming device.

Streaming Local Channels via Mobile Apps and Casting to Roku

Assuming you have the right TV attached, and apps that support the features, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K offers 4K resolution playback (hence the name), Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. Roku is also promising significantly faster Wi-Fi connectivity and a wider Wi-Fi range for this stick, and we didn’t notice any problems with video loading or app launching during our testing. Roku makes some of the cheapest streaming devices around, and traditionally one of the trade-offs for those affordable price points has been rather sluggish hardware. Fortunately, the speed boost that this latest model has been given makes getting around menus and settings screens a breeze.

Skinny Bundle Streaming Services

Certain channels or content may not be available in all locations or on all devices. Kelly is the managing editor of streaming for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening. Lastly, we do the hard work and actually watch the shows and movies, to make sure these apps actually work well.

Browse the Live TV Guide

The ota channels are in correct order, but then starting with the streaming channels it starts with ch 254 whereas it should start with ch 115, then it’s in random order after that. I dont know how but you did it again Roku(please fix this asap)-so Frustrating… It’s a coup for Roku, leveraging McGraw’s household-name status—his syndicated show ran for 21 seasons—to draw in viewers seeking advice and drama.

ABC NEWS

Most of the time, IR signals can bounce off walls and ceilings to reach their target, but even then, if your Roku device is stuck behind another object, those IR signals won’t make it. Alternatively, you can always try downloading the Roku Remote app from the iOS or Google Play store. The app allows your phone to function as a Roku remote and might provide a solution if your remote is damaged beyond repair.

How Much Does Roku Cost In Total?

While you can install apps like Max, Peacock, and many more, the remote only has quick launch buttons for Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Prime Video. If you have another Roku device, you can skip the sign-in process for all the apps just by linking your account to the new Roku. Signing into everything is a big hassle for me, so it was nice that I could just load up Disney+ and see my profile already there. Plus, the Streaming Stick Plus even offers 4K upscaling for TVs that support it. This means that 720p and 1080p content can be upscaled to 1080p and 4K, respectively, in certain scenarios.

Roku is a great streaming service that has a number of devices such as smart TVs, Streaming Sticks, and Streaming boxes. These devices come with Roku OS, an OS that lets you install and stream various channels both free and paid. Luckily, since they are all free, you don’t need to choose just one of the best free streaming services. However, you may find it difficult to balance a bunch of different apps and want to focus on just one or two.

On Roku’s website, it’s the model that shows up when you click on Roku Streaming Stick, but you’ll need to double-check what you’re buying at other stores. You don’t want to miss out on the stick that doesn’t need a wall outlet to power on, so look for model 3840R. We will be glad to assist you further with your problem with the Live TV pause, which suddenly stopped working. Use at least a 2.0 USB flash drive with 16 GB of memory to avoid recording and playback issues. Unfortunately, Roku’s smart home accessibility is sorely lacking in comparison to other major rivals, namely Google. But that doesn’t mean the Roku Streaming Stick Plus can’t still have its own smart home concepts, which rears its head in the Roku Cameras app.

Roku Live TV Channel Number List (Free & Premium)

Backdrops can be selected across a wide variety of different verticals, including general photos, artists, photographers, and institutions. Some of my favorite artworks include the “Morning after a Snowfall at Koishikawa” by Katsushika Hokusai, “El Jaleo” by John Singer Sargent, and “Impressions, Sunrise” by Claude Monet. I’ve discussed my love of Backdrops before and it’s no different here. It’s an ingenious new addition for Roku, providing loads and loads of art for users to personalize their TV standby settings in a myriad of ways. Of course, you will have to contend with a myriad of ads on Roku OS. Like I said, make sure to turn off automated videos so you aren’t bombarded with audio-intensive ads on startup and you should be fine.

Still can’t find your device? Try connecting manually

• And thanks to a multi-year deal, The Roku Channel will air a weekly Sunday MLB game for free, indefinitely.
• On the front-facing side, which bears the Roku typeface, there’s a small status light to show when it’s active.
• As the name suggests, it returns your Roku device to the same state it was in when you pulled it out of the box.
• You should be able to watch DirecTV Stream on Roku after logging in with your DirecTV account details, but make sure your Roku device is upgraded to software version 9.4+.
• In fact, the “What is Plex?” section on the official website doesn’t even mention the media server functionality.The main attraction of Plex for streamers is its discovery functionality.
• Now around 40% of viewers watch live sports and news on streaming services for half the price of a cable subscription on average.

Though many people prefer this type of TV, there is something to be said for live TV where you can tune in and watch something as it’s happening. If you don’t need a streaming stick, the Roku Express 4K+ is just as good, supports 4K and HDR10+, but is $10 less. The biggest difference is that it doesn’t include quad-band Wi-Fi (still has 802.11ac) and is a streaming box, instead of a stick. Users can add premium subscriptions to services like Paramount+, Showtime, STARZ, discovery+, and AMC+ that can be accessed within the Roku Channel ecosystem.

thoughts on “How to Watch Live TV on Roku in 2025”

You can add other channel packs as desired for just $5 per month, such as Sports Extra, Kids Extra, Hollywood Extra, etc. If you find the right pages at a given time, you could also choose the $25 package where you get ALL Extras. They also offer premium add-ons like Starz and HBO for just $9-$10 per month and others for only $5.

The Roku Channel is a free streaming service that offers a variety of content, including local news channels and original programming. Ensure it’s set up correctly and connected to your home Wi-Fi network. A stable internet connection is crucial for accessing streaming services and updating your Roku device. This platform allows you to stream content from various apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. It also offers access to a wide range of channels, including live TV, news, sports, and more.

• And that means you cannot record your favorite movies or programs from Roku directly.
• Our guide on how to watch YouTube TV on Roku will also come in handy.
• If none of the steps so far have helped, try switching out your cable(s) with another set.
• Local channels provide up-to-date news and information relevant to your community.
• Despite its appearance, you do not need an antenna to watch live TV on the Live TV app on your Roku.

The major issue is that you can’t use other options with its devices; you’re relegated to Roku’s own smart home models, which limits its overall scope. Neither the device itself nor the remote offer wireless listening, which means you have to rely on the TV for this functionality. It’s a major blow to parents of newborns or users who might like watching content late after their significant other has fallen asleep. Let’s get into what makes the Roku Streaming Stick Plus a considerable step up over not just its predecessor but several of its rivals.

The ads are about as frequent as other free services, but they tend to be more repetitive (and sometimes annoyingly interactive, requiring you to choose an option). However, you need to keep in mind that it is only available when watching “over-the-air” broadcast TV from the Live TV input instead of the live streaming from the Roku Channel. Given that Roku itself does not offer a Cloud DVR feature, you can only record videos on certain channels, like YouTube Live, Hulu Live, Sling TV, and others.