Want to ditch expensive cable TV bills but still be able to watch live television? Roku makes it easy and affordable to watch live channels using just a streaming box and the internet.
With Roku, you can access local television stations, live sports, news, and full cable lineups. This guide will overview the various setup options and answer your question regarding how to get Roku Live TV.
What Can You Watch with Roku’s Live TV?
Roku makes it simple to get live TV through their devices. Their system lets you watch live channels, including news, sports, movies, shows, kid’s programs, and more. Some of the live content available encompasses:
- Local TV stations
- News channels such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, HLN, and more
- Live sports from ESPN, NFL Network, NBA TV, and others
- Network television stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and more
- Premium movie channels, including HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz
- Popular streaming services like Hulu, Sling TV, and others
- International programming in Spanish, Korean, Russian, and other languages
- Streaming music video channels
- Weather updates
- And much more!
Roku offers one of the widest selections of free TV channels, so you’ll surely find plenty to watch.
What Roku Devices Support Live TV?
The great news is that almost all modern Roku devices support streaming of broadcast television. This includes:
- Streaming boxes like the Roku Premiere, Express, Streaming Stick, and Ultra
- Streaming players like the Roku 2, 3 and 4
- Smart TVs, which have Roku’s software built-in
- Sticks like the Roku Streaming Stick+ and Express+
As long as your Roku device is connected to the internet, you can access and watch live-streaming content. Roku’s streaming platform makes it easy and consistent across all types of devices.
How to Set Up Live TV on Your Roku Device
Setting up streaming TV on Roku only takes a few quick steps. Here’s what to do:
- Connect your Roku to the internet – Via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable plugged into your router. High-speed internet is recommended for smooth streaming.
- Sign up for a streaming channel (optional) – Services like Hulu With Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV require a paid subscription, but offer lots of great channels. More details are below.
- Connect an antenna (optional) – If you want to watch live local channels, connect an antenna to your TV set.
- Add streaming channels – Use the Roku Channel Store to search and add whatever TV channels you want. Many are free.
- Select the Live TV tile – From your Roku home screen, select the Live TV tile and choose channels to start watching.
- Cast Live TV from your mobile device – Cast live stream from mobile apps and websites to your Roku.
And that’s all there is to it! With just a few quick steps, you can start streaming TV channels through your Roku box. Keep reading for more details on setting up and using Roku’s Live TV options.
Connect a TV Antenna for Free Local Channels
Connecting an over-the-air antenna is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to watch television through Roku. When set up correctly, an antenna can receive broadcast signals from local network affiliates within 30-50 miles. This gives you free access to live local news, sitcoms, dramas, sports, and more.
To set up a digital tv antenna:
- Obtain an HDTV antenna and connect it to your television’s coaxial input. Suitable indoor units start around $20-30.
- Select the “Connect an antenna” option during Roku’s setup process.
- Perform a channel scan to search for available local stations.
- Add your favorite local channels to the Live TV tile on your home screen.
With an inexpensive antenna connected to your Roku TV or other streaming device, you can watch tons of great live content broadcast over the air in your region. Roku makes it easy to access through its interface.
Cast from Mobile Apps and Websites
To cast to Roku:
- Make sure your phone and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network
- Open the video app or website
- Tap the Cast icon and select your Roku
- The stream will play directly on your TV
This on-the-fly casting can be handy for one-off events and streams.
Roku’s On-Screen Live TV Guide
Once you have Live TV set up on your Roku, using it is super simple. Select the Live TV tile from your Roku home screen to access the on-screen channel guide.
You can see all your available live channels by flipping through page by page. To start watching a channel, just click on it! The guide makes channel surfing easy and intuitive.
While viewing the live tv channel guide, you can also:
- Favorite channels for quick access
- Filter channels by category, like sports, live news, movies, etc.
- Search channels
- See what’s on now and what’s coming up later
- Easily change channels
Roku puts all your television content in one place for a seamless viewing experience.
How Does Roku Make Streaming So Easy?
Roku devices make watching movies and TV shows incredibly fast and easy. Here are some of the benefits:
- Simple setup – Get local stations over-the-air or from an online service with just a few steps using your Roku remote. No extra equipment is needed!
- Intuitive interface – Roku OS aggregates live TV channels into an on-screen guide with additional features like search and filters.
- Tons of content – Access an endless lineup of channels spanning news, sports, movies, shows, Spanish language, kids, and much more.
- All in one place – View live TV streams and on-demand libraries in one Roku interface. Seamlessly switch between local and streaming channels, apps, and inputs.
- New channels added automatically – When you add a subscription or antenna, local stations appear on your home screen automatically.
- It just works! – Roku players have top-notch streaming performance optimized for smooth, fast live TV viewing. It just works perfectly!
Streaming devices and Smart TVs genuinely offer the most accessible and affordable live TV streaming experience available today.
Important Things to Know About Live TV Options
Here are a few key things to keep in mind about watching live tv on Roku:
- An internet connection is required to watch live content through a service like Hulu or YouTube TV. For an over-the-air setup, the internet is recommended but not required.
- Live TV streaming uses more bandwidth than on-demand shows. High-speed broadband internet is recommended for the best performance.
- Location affects what channels are available. Your local channel availability depends on your distance to the broadcast towers.
- Blackout restrictions apply to some live sports and local stations when using a streaming channel.
- Multiple streams often require an upgraded plan. Most base plans only support 2-3 simultaneous streams.
- Offline viewing is not typically available for live content, only recorded or on-demand shows and movies.
- Channel lineups vary between streaming plans. Compare lineups and pricing before picking the best option for your needs.
- Contracts and equipment rentals are not required. Streaming services are contract-free and only need a Roku player.
Roku makes watching live TV incredibly convenient. Just keep these factors in mind when setting up the live tv.
Conclusion – Get Lots of Great Ways to Watch
The Roku platform offers one of the simplest and most affordable ways to stream live TV channels over the internet. You can access tons of great live content with a streaming service subscription, digital antenna, or free channels.
The benefits include:
- Local station coverage using just an antenna.
- National news, sports, and entertainment with streaming services like YouTube TV.
- Premium movie channels from providers like HBO and Showtime.
- Free live TV through The Roku Channel store.
- An intuitive interface and guide bring it all together.
No cable TV is required. Cut the cord forever, save money each month, and enjoy cable-free live TV as a Roku user!