Roku devices are among the most popular cord-cutting tools around, and that doesn't look like it's changing anytime soon. Roku is a great way to organize on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, but what about live TV services? Do you know how to watch live TV on Roku?
Here are a few of our favorite ways to stream live TV on Roku:
| Price | Channels | Free Trial | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#1
 |
$64.99 – $154.99 | 140+ | 5 days | |
|
#2
 |
$7.99 – $82.99 | 85+ | 30 days | |
|
#3
 |
$6.99 – $13.99 | N/A | None | |
|
#4
 |
$40 – $60 | 30+ – 130+ | 3 days | |
|
#5
 |
$74.99 – $94.99 | 220+ | 7 days | |
|
#6
 |
$4.99 – $99.99 | N/A | 7 days | |
|
#7
 |
$25 | 60+ | 7 days | |
If not, this is the guide you need. With its cable look-alike “skinny bundle” subscription services and many other live TV options, Roku has you covered. Here are a few of our favorite ways to watch live TV on Roku.
How to Watch Live TV on Roku
Your options for live TV on Roku include a few different types of services, including live TV streaming services. Sometimes called “skinny bundles” after their slimmed-down channel selections, these live TV streaming services are cable-like services that take live network television and put it online. The idea is that you can do everything you could do with cable, including surf channels, watch live TV, and even record things to a DVR. But in the case of skinny bundles, it all happens online, meaning there are no regional monopolies — which results in lower prices and fewer restrictions for consumers like us.
Besides skinny bundles, our list includes free live streaming services of all types (including genre- and network-specific solutions) and paid sports league streaming packages. We have, however, left out streaming apps that require you to validate them with a pay TV login. This is a site for cord-cutters, after all!
The following list contains all the ways you can watch live TV on Roku:
A Word on League Sports Packages
MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, and NHL.TV let cord-cutters watch live out-of-market MLB, NBA, and NHL games, respectively. The prices vary by league and package, and some leagues offer single-team deals. Despite the blackouts and relatively high price tags, these are a clear choice for fans with a particular passion for one sport or league.
I know a private Roku channel where you get all the live TV channels and more for a small monthly fee. Email me for details 1iptvguy@gmail.com.
I would like to get the live TV for Roku.
So would I. Please send details.
Thank you!
I would like more information about the private Roku channel where I can get live TV channels.
I would like more information please
Tell me how to get free local stations from my Roku.
Why do I have to put in a code to watch some of my local channels?
Which service?
Hello Mike: I am a senior and due to my financial situation due to the virus. I need to look at saving and thought I would look at getting rid of cable. I have a hulu premiere which I am struggling in trying to figure out how it works.
I came across your name where you mentioned to contact you to get a private Roku channel where you get all the live TV channels Please can you offer any help
Thank you
Hi how do I get live TV on roku
Will I be able to get these channels Own-We-MTV-Bravo???
You can get a Bravo addon for Kodi. Not for Roku, yet.
Add private channel XTV with code XTVIPTV to your Roku. Although it lags every once in a while and some channels just don’t work at all, you have a choice of about 20 working cable channels to stream. It’s all completely free. It’s my favorite channel by far. (It also has on demand and 24/7 channels available.)
Can I get OWN.
Philo channel has own.
What I really want to know is can I get the local channels in my area.
Antenna
Sling TV is great but is very spotty lately. Service reloads a lot. Can’t watch a full program without reloading. Very unhappy. I canceled it after 1 year with them, as it’s gotten worse. Worst part is I turned on family to this service. They need to get it together.
I’ve decided, after two trials, that Sling TV isn’t worth it. The delays are ridiculous, especially on live TV, but also for on demand. I’ve just now dropped Sling TV for the second time. It suck via Roku 2 & 3 models, this much I know.
The more that Sling TV improves, the worse the service is. You have to keep raising your internet speeds to keep up. Soon it will be cheaper just to go with satellite or cable because of the added internet charge!
Every one I click is not in Canada.
Friend just downloaded PS Vue and seems to love it! Gives you 3 plan options, highest one being $45, and you get 100 channels.
I want TVA channel.
PlayStation Vue hands down over Sling TV except for ONE thing. Sling TV is portable, you can take it with you on vacation use on Roku Stick or equivalent in hotel or any TV anywhere with HDMI. Not so with PlayStation Vue. NOT portable and only one change of address and then they drop you. If they ever change that nonsense I’m in for life.
I have PSVue and a Roku Stick and take it with me all over the place, works just fine. The only time I run into problems is if I try to watch something on a computer outside of my home network.
I use a Leaf Mohu antenna & get all major network channels & about 30 other useless ones for free. But I am trying to figure out how to get A&E and a couple others with subscribing to anything. Any hints?
Do you really watch “A&E and a couple others” or just a few shows on those networks? It may be cheaper to just buy the seasons of the shows from Vudu rather than subscribe to the mini-bundles. I have 2 shows I watch on BBC America and I just buy the full seasons on Vudu. The shows even come with behind-the-scenes bonus clips that I normally would not see on the network.
I would like a add-on or app that would allow me to view Investigative ID.
I love my Roku. For live TV, check out USTVnow and xTV. Free cable and other great channels. I livestream my local news every night.
How do I download this on Roku 3?
PlayStation Vue is much better than Sling, more premium stations and sports for $40 a month (the top package), it’s well worth it and we are cord cutter oldies. Of all the services we tried it’s the best content, great picture, reliable, has DVR function included, you will not be disappointed. It makes Sling look like a Dollar Store.
Yes DO try XTV which also has some live cable TV, USTVnow is crap compared to even the cheap Vue package, and is based in Pennsylvania where you get all Penn news and broadcasting not to mention USTVnow crashes a lot for days.
I just added Nowhere TV, and there was a notice that said it will no longer be carrying local TV. 🙁
Great article! Thank you so much!
Skitter TV seems to be another option with a lot of live TV channels offered on the Roku. Just thought I’d mention it as you didn’t list it as an option in your article.
We are paying a fortune for DirecTV! Like, we could get a new car for what we’re paying!!! I can’t take it anymore. We do watch a lot of Live TV and we use our DVR a ton. We have Roku and I really need input. PLEASE HELP!!!
Channel Master offers local TV channels AND it’s a DVR with a 2-week channel guide… add a Roku… or Fire and you will have a complete package for free… add Netflix and Hulu (about $20) and it’s a lot of shows for little $$$.
How do you get access to Channel Master?
Joy Jacobs: At www.BestBuy.com
What exactly does Channel Master do? The box costs $100.00, but do you get free TV with it?
I’ve got PS Vue, and it’s great, but it doesn’t have BBC America. Sling has BBCA, but I don’t really want to pay another $20 a month for one channel.
Try FilmOn TV – you won’t find FilmOn TV in your Roku Channel Store where it’s a hidden channel using a special code.
I ave BBC America in my PSVue offering.
Been with PlayStation Vue for a while… I really really love it… Stay up to date with today’s TV… It asks your location so you can get local channels… Sling doesn’t do that.
Any service offer Fox News?
PlayStation Vue on a Roku offers Fox – that’s what made my decision to cut the cord. It works out great!
I said Fox and meant Fox News Channel.
Fox does not report real news.
Fox News (the only viable news) is available on XTV or Channel Pear.
CNN is also a viable news source, highly recommend you check it out.
Fox News is on PlayStation Vue. I’m watching Fox News Channel live right now on my Roku via the free trial. I will more than likely order PlayStation Vue after my trial expires. PS Vue has 90% of the channels my family and I like to watch. Hopefully they’ll add more basic popular channels. If so it would be a winner winner chicken dinner IMHO. My fingers and toes are crossed.
FOX News is not real news. It’s news “adjusted,” for Republican viewers, who wear “Depends” and are mostly incontinent. These are people who don’t realize TRUMP is a fluffed-up, narcissistic douchebag, who wants to change the USA into a country that worships his way of thinking. Want better content? Get the Disney Channel. It’s more “Mickey Mouse” than even FOX is.
Thanks for your “definition” of FOX News. Can you now supply a definition for MSNBC news?
Trust an apparent idiot to inject politics into a simple info request. Your brainwashing is complete.
It’s getting to be just UNbelievable, seems like no matter what the subject is, even the simplest one like asking for help with a TV channel brings out the moron people haters that are lurking in the woodwork just waiting for a chance to pounce. They have lost at every attempt to discredit a legititmently elected President . So this country will never be able to heal it divisions until they just keep their vicious mouths shut.
Rupert Murdock put Fox “News” on air solely as a platform of propaganda to appear as real news. It is not. It exists solely to convince people to vote for the party that makes billionaires like him and his multi-millionaire anchors richer, period. The channel claims “fair and balanced news” but it is not even close. For real news, as others said, watch PBS Newshour, NBC or CNN. You will get nothing but a “Right” perspective on Fox which demonizes the Left so as to get you to vote for a party that increases the wealth of plutocrats like Murdock and Fox staff, while decreasing the wealth of the rest of the country. That is the sad truth, Mr. Matthews, and a primary reason our country is so divided–Fox, OAN and “Right” hate radio, all of which push the same BS lies known as “alternative facts”. There is only one set of facts: the truth!
You can watch the Fox News Channel FREE by the livestream of the Fox News Channel on YouTube & Lou Dobbs by some guys channel also on YouTube…
Friend says YouTube has the Fox News Channel live.
This needs to be updated. TWCTV does NOT work outside of the home where the account resides. I have tried using my parents login at my house and it won’t let me. So password sharing is out on this one.
Thanks for pointing out! We updated the article and added a couple of new channels (Livestream and Tablo).
New app called View Local just came up on my Roku… What is this?
PS Vue does have great packages compared to Sling BUT using on Roku is pretty much out of the question. The response time is literally 3-4 minutes, so good luck using it without a PlayStation. I’ve been keeping my eye on when the issue has been addressed because I wouldn’t mind switching Sling TV for PS Vue programming but not at the cost of that response time when I’m watching or want to change channels.
Idk what Tnisha is talking about, I have PS Vue on my Roku 4, and I have zero issues with it. Response time is very little, maybe a second after I click a channel the stream starts. Maybe you’re using a Roku 1 or an older stick?
The only complaint I have about PS Vue on Roku is the fast-forwarding option in the DVR is hard to use because it doesn’t have a preview. Fix that and everything would be golden.
I’ve added PlayStation Vue to my Roku this week. I don’t own a PlayStation. I just have an LG Smart TV and PSVue is working perfectly fine on my TV. The response time is instant (1 second). It’s super fast. Maybe you should test it out on a different TV at your house, or a friends house if you only have one TV set.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET HALLMARK MOVIES AND MYSTERY CHANNEL ON ROKU?
Hallmark and Hallmark movies and mysteries are available with Sling as a $5 add on package called Lifestyle.
I have a Roku TV. It has a lot of free channels, like Hallmark and Pluto, and many more for free MSNBC and CNN. And if you have an Amazon Prime, the movies are free.
What about local channels 2,5,11, Hallmark, TBS, etc.? Please let me know.
That what I wanted to know as well.
I have PlayStation Vue on my Roku and use it on 4 TVs – I believe Sling is $20 per TV unless they’ve changed their pricing since I inquired. For travel, you can use your phone or tablet as the 5th allowable device on PSV.
Is Fox News live and offered live streaming?
Yes. I watch Fox News live on Roku via PlayStation Vue. I’m doing the PSVue trial and so far so good. My family and I really like it so we will more than likely keep it.
Bought the new Roku Premiere. Can’t screen mirror from Android. Anyone have a fix for this? I understand older model Rokus have this option.
You can get Hallmark show on Roku with the Feelin channel. It’s $23.00 a year.
Hello, I’d like to know how to get Pi TV on my Roku 4. Thanks!
You may try use Allavsoft to download CBS News video to MP4, WMV, MOV, FLV, AVI, etc.
I have cable with my internet service and wondered if I can get all those channels if I hook up Roku. I only want Roku for Netflix.
Can you get Heroes & Icons with Roku? WZME changed to Jimmy Swaggard and Optimum (cable in my area) does not air H&I now…
Looking for live TV, email me for details (1iptvguy@gmail.com).
Looking for free options for live TV channels, not having much success.
I have a Roku Premier. How can I get free live and local channels on it? I would really appreciate some assistance.
Look for the Pluto app on your Roku TV.
I would like to get the TLC channel live, any suggestions?
Is it true that you can add (channels) networks (such as VH1, OWN, and Nickelodeon) to a jailbroken Fire Stick?
Channel PEAR, Nowhere TV, and Pluto TV all suck on a Roku. Channel PEAR is almost unwatchable! The other two do not offer anything worth watching (Nowhere has almost no content). I would not recommend any of these!
What’s The Pear Channel code???
Channel Pear is broken, maybe it’s where you live. I have the Pluto app and I love it.
You can also watch FilmOn on the Roku device, and it’s free to install. Just use these codes to install and add these to the list.
Channel code: NMEVA
Channel code with guide: arteseafon
Trying to locate the channel PEAR on my Roku but I can NOT find it. Help!
The Pear Channel is a Roku hidden channel, so ask someone & comment for the code here & then add The Pear Channel at your online Roku account…
I keep hearing everyone talk about Roku hidden channels. How do I find these, and are any of them free?
Channel Pear has been broken for about a year.
I know of a private channel where you can get 200+ live USA channel, 80 Spanish channels, popular TV shows, and 800 + movies for a small monthly fee all you need is a Roku and internet connection if your interested email me at 1iptvguy@gmail.com. I’m not directing anyone to a website so I don’t get kicked off here so of you want to know email me.
I am interested in this private channel. I know about a (for fee) Roku channel called USTVnow for military and expats.
Can you please send the channel name to my email address ashokQA@gmail.com?
Yes please!!!
Mach TV.
Is it possible to watch live You Tube on Roku?
Yes! I get it on mine. Go to Search on Home menu, enter YouTube, then follow instructions to install.
Sling TV says it includes FOX & NBC in Sling Blue; but I subscribed & then they told me that FOX & NBC are not available due to my location. However I found a completely free app for Roku for NBC. The only way that I’ve found to get FOX is through Playstation Vue, but it’s too expensive. So what I wound up doing is downgrading to Sling Orange & adding the Hollywood Extras, which are EPIX movie channels. It’s still the $25 a month I was paying for Sling Blue, but it’s more of what I want.
I’m in the Atlanta area. How do I get local channels?
Go to Walmart and get a converter box.
I received this reply about Livestream from Roku: Krista (freeformsupport).
Jun 24, 9:23 AM PDT
Hi there!
Thanks for asking us about this. At this time, Livestream is not available in your geographic area just yet, but we’re always working hard to add more geographic areas in the future!
Livestream is currently available in the following areas: Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham and San Francisco. You must be located within each available station’s local viewing area and must verify your participating TV provider account for access to the ABC live stream in your area.
I have the new Roku Express Plus and have added XTv and the Channel Pear. I have the live cable channels but not consistently on a regular basis. The channels for these two apps are not always available. Is there another way I can get live TV on a more regular basis? Thanks.
If you are looking for reliability and stability and value, it is PlayStation Vue. I, like you, did all research and just completed my 5 day free preview and for $54/month, I get over 90 channels, including all the NFL essentials, NFL Network, ESPN. For locals, I have a good indoor antenna. Works fine. You can stream up to 5 devices with Vue, nobody else offers that. In addition, they offer cloud DVR technology. The best part is: They also offer Red Zone channel for a separate subscription for only $39 for entire season. Sling does not offer Fox News channel.
Sling does have the Fox channel, not for all areas, though. I have the Fox channel on Sling, I’m in Florida.
Is there an app or hidden channel to get Nascar, NHRA, and Indy Car? I have Sling and am sick of paying for Fox 1 and 2 and NBCSN. Anyone can help it would be appreciated.
I just want to watch live NASCAR racing thru the year for free. Antenna TV has some shown on Fox and ABC, the rest are on cable channels?
I have a Roku and some of them say may need subscription. So how do you get HBO and all those premium channels? You also need to have an internet connection. So if you drop cable and keep the internet connection, are you limited to a certain amount of data usage? I mean I have Charter and Netflix and can watch as much as I want without worrying about data. My favorite channels are the sports channels, BTN, ESPN, etc., Hallmark Mysteries and Murders, Chiller, SyFy, and more like that. What is the best way to go?
I wish to watch tennis, golf, and cricket on TV… Via Roku or Apple… Any help and direction welcomed.
Hello,
Spectrum cable just raised my bill to $200 and I’ve had enough. I’m dumping cable TV Jan. 1st. Can I get all the live cable channels with a streaming device like Roku or another device? What is the best streaming device with the best rates?
Here’s our list of the best streaming devices. For example, something like the Roku Ultra would be a good option. You could then subscribe to a live TV streaming service, such as DIRECTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, or Sling TV, and watch live TV via your Roku.
I have just got a Roku TV. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to get local channels here in Jacksonville, FL? Do I need to get Hulu or Netflix to watch live broadcasts on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox.
You could check one of the skinny bundles listed above. DIRECTV NOW, fuboTV, Hulu With Live TV, PlayStation Vue, and Sling TV all offer some combination of ABC, CBS, Fox and/or NBC in select markets.
An antenna is not viable where I live, I am in a 400 unit, concrete building that faces South, away from the TV towers here and the managers refuse to install an antenna on the roof for us to connect to. Any ideas?
You could consider testing a live TV streaming service, such as DIRECTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, or Sling TV. Though, unfortunately, they aren’t as inexpensive as an antenna would be.
My advice is to stay away from Roku TV. We got it with our home and now I understand why the seller didn’t want to take it. Every option is more expensive than replacing it with your average HDTV.