Roku has a channel for just about everything: on-demand movies, live sports, and even live feeds of animals. There are channels for live TV on Roku, including “skinny bundle” live TV streaming services, such as Hulu Plus Live TV.
But what about local channels? Experienced cord-cutters and longtime readers may know local channels are available for free over the air (OTA) with the use of an OTA antenna, but is there a way to integrate this experience into the Roku interface? Are there streaming apps for watching local channels? Here’s how to get local channels on Roku devices.
How to Watch Local Channels on Roku
You can get live local networks on Roku in a few ways. The first is a live TV streaming service or “skinny bundle.” The bad news is that the major network feeds on each of these skinny bundles are limited to select markets. The good news is that it’s easy enough to find out whether you’re in one of the lucky markets. The second option is free over-the-air TV, which can be combined with the Roku platform in a few ways that we’ll talk about below. There are also a couple of other unique options to consider. Read on to learn how to watch local networks on Roku, with no cable required.
Another alternate way to watch local channels on Roku is the NewsON app, which offers live broadcasts of local news stations. It’s worth downloading NewsON on your Roku device to see whether your preferred local news station participates in NewsON’s live broadcasts.
Watch Local Channels on Any Device, Anywhere
Want to watch local channels without cable on more than just your Roku device? We have you covered.
NBC and ABC both have apps on Roku that lets you watch some on demand shows without a login. PBS has a free app, I’m not sure about Fox, and CBS All Access is a paid subscription. There is a lot of major broadcast shows available on Roku. Only CBS All Access has a live stream in most locations.
All the major broadcast channels including ABC, NBC, FOX, and CW have their own channel apps on Roku where you can watch some recent content on there. Only the greedy CBS does not have a complimentary Roku channel, instead wanting to unilaterally set up a pay service for another revenue stream.
We have Dish Network but I’d like to eliminate it. The TV in the living room doesn’t work with our outdoor antenna.
I have a ROKU box & purchased the CBS All Access but I want to get the other two local networks. Can I do that with just my Roku box?
Hi Deborah, thanks for reading! You can get local channels on Roku using using a skinny bundle like the ones listed in this article
How do I do that
There are links to sign up in the article, or you can sign up through your streaming device.
Hey, Deborah!
You can add ABC, FOXNOW, NBC, PBS, CW, CW Feed, Comet, and Bounce, all broadcast networks, and all FREE. These are all the _national_ networks, not necessarily your local network affiliate. You may not be able to stream episodes until the day after they originally air, though. You may be able to find your local affiliate’s news app in the Roku “channel store,” or in the FREE NewsOn or Haystack “channels”/apps.
Also, be sure to add PlutoTV and Stirr. Both give you access to different cable and broadcast network programming, as well as a huge selection of other options, to include on demand movies, Nickelodeon, and even MTV, all for FREE!
what about CNN, Hallmark etc? And I really truly am happy with what I have but want to add Britbox and Acorn.. Can I do that with a ROKU box
Hi Michelle, thanks for reading! A Roku device will support apps that include CNN, Hallmark Channel, and other networks. You’ll just need to subscribe to a skinny bundle that includes the channels you want.
Just get an antenna and a Firestick. I live in a non metro area and receive 4 Spanish stations, 6 English speaking stations.the homemade stealth antenna Is hanging inside my window, facing the antenna farms. Instructions from YouTube. With a Firestick you can watch any movie, or series you want. Youtube is helpful. VPN slows down internet significantly. Don’t bother W/VPN unless you’re a downloader. I initially loved the Roku, but it’s very limited.
If you live metro, use an antenna, inside, or attic. Free locals. Firestick is less $ and a better (IMO) entertainment option.
Try locast.org
Sadly shut down
Can’t find any local channels such as channel10 abc or channel 12 nbc on roku
I have a Roku tv that is hooked up to cable. I was originally able to watch the news channels and now they have all disappeared?
How do you connect to NBC if you don’t have a cable provider
Get a digital antenna, they don’t cost much maybe $20, it will pick up all local channels, and, cbs, nbc, fox and more.
what if you can’t have an anttena on the outside of the house, an internal ones are too weak to get signal?
What about channels like Decades,Antenna time tv ,etc?
Peacock is an app owned by NBC. They have a free and a paid option. The paid option allows you to watch shows live, but if you’re ok with waiting a day or two, then free is perfect.
If you are in the Tampa Bay area, the local ABC Action News has a channel on Roku.
I have ruko in Howell Michigan how to get CBS soaps
I’m in sulphur. Oklahoma
No news channels, very disappointing
Buy a digital antenna and connect to the back of your tv
I dropped DirecTV, tried Google Fiber TV for a year, loved it but can’t afford it. I am using an antenna, plus Sling TV. I’m managing with that combination. My problem is that now with the new season starting, I won’t be able to DVR local antenna shows.
I can’t afford any expensive equipment and monthly fee. Do you have other suggestions?
Thank you.
Hi, Dorothy!
With your antenna and SlingTV, you’ve got a great combination! For less than $100, you can add an AirTV box (https://www.airtv.net/products/airtv/), and then add an external Hard Disk, for FREE DVR for your over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. The best part about this solution? With the SlingTV app, your OTA broadcasts, as well as the OTA recordings are integrated into your SlingTV experience! Even if you decide to cancel your SlingTV service, you can continue to use the AirTV box and your external hard disk DVR with the SlingTV Roku “channel”/app… Better, still- you can watch your local channels on multiple TVs in your home, and even your smartphone, tablet, and computer, while at home, and away (limit of two AirTV streams, concurrently, including recordings)! Your OTA DVR capacity is limited only by the size of your hard disk (500 GB – 2 TB). Once you buy the equipment, and the hard disk, there are no other costs. Be sure to get the AirTV (black) box, and _NOT_ the AirTV Player (white) or dongle. Additionally, they often offer promotions in which you can get credit for your SlingTV service.
Try Hulu. That’s what I use for all my “prime time” tv shows
You updated this article but didn’t mention the recently released ClearStream TV Over-The-Air Television Digital Tuner? It’s a less expensive but more limited alternative to Tablo for accessing your own antenna from any Roku.
https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/Clearstream-TV-Over-the-Air-Television-Digital-Tuner.html
Also Plex Live may make its way to Roku soon as well. But in the meantime there have been workarounds for watching a stream form a HDHomeRun on a Roku for some time now.
https://github.com/computmaxer/roku-hdhomerun
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/101755/rel-hdhomerun-viewer/p1
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/83233/hdsurfer-plug-in-for-hdhomerun/p34
Thank you for your insights, David! We’ll check out the links immediately.
I recently cut and reattached to the cord in rural Oregon. Charter/Spectrum has a local monopoly on high-speed internet. I tried a combo of Sling (Blue/Orange) with DVR and sports pack along with the Charter internet service. It was more cost-effective for me to go back to cable, as they gave me a deal for the same price, that also includes HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and a regional sports network with the rights to Portland Trailblazer games. It was a way better deal than Sling, I also found the customer support for Sling to be very weak with very long waits for rude staff. It reminded me of cable without the channels.
Enjoy info received. I am retired with limited income and refuse to pay $130. Per month for TV! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I got fed up with the expense of Charter Cable and tried Sling but, no local channels and limited lineup. So, I now have YoutubeTV. And, we love it. I get 70+ channels, my local channels and can record my favorites, etc. It’s streaming TV and an APP on both Roku and Firestick. Also, you can have up to 6 devices all logged in under 1 account and 3 users can all watch at the same time. I sometimes watch live TV on my cell phone via the YouTubeTV app. All for all for around $50.
How much do you pay for WiFi ?
We are getting ready to make that switch – I’m currently paying $135 for the silver tv package with a DVR and one digital box – by simply getting rid of my TV (keeping internet and phone, so I get the bundle discount, no other internet options in my area), my bill will drop to about $115 a month. I’m going to add youtube tv and may add a couple of add-ons through my Amazon prime account for channels that youtube tv doesn’t offer, like Reelz.
I dropped my charter cable service to their streaming service and pay about 15.00 and get many channels that I enjoy from ID, Hallmark, LMN, WE, Sundance and many many others. Talk to your service provider to see if they offer their own streaming service.
Hi DJ
I dropped my Charter cable service down to their streaming service for about 15.00/mo – I still get a ton of stations, like WE, Sundance, ID, Hallmark, LMN, Hunting and fishing programs, and many many more stations. I don’t miss regular cable at all and as a bundle pkg – I still saved money. You might check with your cable provider to see if they have a streaming service you can switch too. Hope this helps
hi, I know your post a while ago, but can you tell me how you record your shows? did you buy a dvr?
What about XTV? I just heard about it and it sounds good. It’s a free app.
How do I delete channels I do not want?
S. Mason – Just “highlight” the channel (make sure the white square is around it) and press the options button – the * button – and select delete.
The one problem I see is the Cable Co. will raise your Internet cost. They are still going to get your money!
Actually, I avoided that – we have a tv, phone, internet bundle – by keeping my internet and phone, I still keep my $20 bundle discount : ))
I’ve been trying for years to figure out how to cut the cord in my area. I live about 90 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona, in a town that is surrounded by mountains. This prevents an antenna being used. We would only get 1 to 3 channels all in Spanish. How can we “cut the cord” here?
Get a Tivo, and a Roku, cut the cable, attach an OTA antennea, a wireless router. You now have it all. We are now saving about $200 a month. Got rid of AT&T, got Ooma phone service, got rid of AT&T slow DSL line, got Comcast high speed internet only, no packages. We stream almost everything. Get Amazon Prime, or Netflix. We have more now that when we had with cable.
Dale, my question is: would I be able to have ABC,NBC,CBS,Fox, Sports channels ( specially NHL hockey MSG,MSG2+, and Movie channel like HBO, Showtime ?
. Yes I have a HDTV antenna on my window currently I do catch about 45 channels however I am only 55 miles from the Dallas Fort Worth or Dallas antennas and I have a 70 mile HDTV antenna with a converter box I cannot pick up ABC or NBC I can pick up CVS but not clearly why is that
A lot goes into antenna reception, so it’s hard to say what’s going wrong for you. Sometimes a building or hill in the way can mess with things, and antennas often don’t quite live up to their advertised ranges. Try some of these tips and hope for the best: https://cordcutting.com/how-to-get-clear-tv-antenna-reception-tips-and-troubleshooting-techniques/
What is Firestick? Where are you located?
I am in NJ Iam 40miles away from NYC and I cannot get abc why is that??
I live in up state NY, I’m trying to get our local Fox 23 or WXXA from Albany, I have a Roku Tv and don’t know how to get the local channel live, for Giants game and supper bowl. I have frontier for internet and Dish network for satellite. Dish won’t get fox their both saying the others trying to get them to pay more money. I just want to watch our shows and my husband the giant game and super bowl. Can you help. I also have Hulu. But can’t figure out how to get local channels.
Hi Sandi, thanks for reading! Carriage disputes can be frustrating, but Fox and Dish will probably make peace pretty soon. In the meantime, you can try using an antenna. Depending on how far you are from Fox 23’s broadcast tower, you might be able to pick it up with a medium-sized indoor antenna. Fox 23 is also available through some live TV streaming services, so if you’ve had it with Dish, you might want to consider cutting the cord and switching to streaming.
Hi, get locast app. Streams local nyc stations for free. When you register
it you have to be in nyc metro area. I don’t know if this will work. Next time you are in the nyc metro area bring your stick with you and register it there. Or ask a friend to login to locast website and register it for you with your code from the app.
So, to watch my local OTA PBS channels while Roku is connected to my TV is to switch between the TV and HDMI inputs on the TV remote? Is there a way to program the Roku remote to add the local OTA PBS channels?
Not that I’m aware of, unfortunately. Roku TVs have the input controls built into the menus, but regular Roku boxes and sticks can’t do that.
Best free Roku channels for news are NewsOn [live a.m.-noon-pm] for across the country stations by state (larger markets only) . Haystack TV for various US – International News. For international news -sports its Bel.tv for UK, EU, New Zealand, Caribbean, Africa etc..
Hi, I finally got rid of Dish and Direct Tv cause the price kept going up. I was tired of changing back and forth between them. I purchased a Roku tv and it’s ok but now I can only watch on 1 tv. I live in Indiana in a rural area so my internet still runs me $55. I have CBS All Access, Roku, Hulu, maybe 1 other. I pay $12 for these and only CBS is live. There is like roughly $70 and I have only 1 live streaming channel and can only use 1 tv. I was paying $120 and got dvr, hopper, and 4 tvs. If I was to purchase the live streaming on Fubo, Youtube Tv, Apple Tv, or any of the other live streaming channels I’d be paying just as much, even more depending on which one I chose, and only using 1 tv. I’m tired of living on re-runs. I’d like to stay on top of things. It seems like I should have just stayed with what I had. Don’t get me started on antennas. They are all different prices and getting just the right one for more tvs or what have you is really mind boggling. And yes I have checked on installation and that’s around $250 and up. Granite that’s a 1 time fee but hell I’m on a fixed income trying to pinch pennies and not really having any luck. I’m open for suggestions
Hi how can i get abc channel with out paying for cable? is there a way i can see through using different antenna. Please help in order steps for me to understand.
You should try using an antenna. You can read more here: https://cordcutting.com/devices/ota-tv/
I live in a rural area with mountains and can’t get any channels with an antenna.
What about Chicago’s wgn,wttw,pbs,wjyn stations for my local news a d church services???
For large cities like Chicago. Get location for your Roku. Streams all Chicago stations for free. I too was looking for this.
Sorry I meant Locast for roku
Locast
How can you watch ABC CBS for free
How can you watch ABC CBS free if u have roku and philio
One of the things I did to cut costs was to drop my cable subscription down to their streaming service which only costs me about 15.00/month. I still can bundle it – but doing so cut my bill by a little more than half. I can get a ton of stations – i.e WE, Sundance, LMN, Hallmark, ID, Food Network, Hunting and fishing shows, and a host of many more channels. Alas, I still can’t access local channels but we do have a small OTA outside, although it only picks up CBS stations.