Netflix and Hulu are popular subscription streaming services, but did you know that you can also watch local and national television channels on your Roku device?
Some local channels are free, but others require a subscription. You can get local channels on Roku in five different ways, as listed below.
How to access regional and neighborhood channels on Roku
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On your streaming device that uses the Roku platform, you can access official Roku local TV channels as well as local TV channels provided by third parties.
Official local TV channels available on Roku
The Channel Store is a good place to start if you want to watch local channels on Roku. More than 100 free, network-affiliated local news channels can be found in the Roku Channel Store. Go to the News and Weather section on your Roku device or on the Roku website to see a complete list.
In the Roku Channel Store, you can get the following free local channels:
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WTVF Channel 5, the News Channel
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FOX 6 WBRC News
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The News on WPXI, Channel 11
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News 12
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Boston, 25
Third-party local TV apps
Local TV stations may not have a channel in the Roku Channel Store if you can’t find them in the list of channels. You can also use third-party apps, such as news and Haystack TV, in order to watch these channels.
More than 170 U.S. television stations are available for free on NewsON. Apps like this one were created by major TV station groups, including ABC, Cox Media, and Raycom.
In a similar vein, Haystack TV provides users with access to a variety of national and local news sources. Partners include CBS Los Angeles (KCAL), CBS New York (WCBS), and NBC Nebraska.
Use subscription-based live TV apps
If you already have a live TV app, you can probably use it on your Roku.
Roku apps stream local channels:
- Over 200 markets can access CBS All Access. live and on-demand national and local content. CBS All Access originals are included.
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Local programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC can be accessed through DirecTV Now in certain areas of the country.
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Hulu + Live TV is available in select markets and streams local programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
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The PlayStation Vue service enables users in certain areas to watch local programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
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Sling TV provides live streaming of local programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in certain markets.
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In certain areas, content from local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations is broadcast live on YouTube TV.
You should connect your antenna to your Roku TV
Obtaining regional and national channels can also be accomplished by connecting an HDTV antenna to a Roku-enabled television. To set up over-the-air television using Roku, your television will provide on-screen instructions that you need to follow.
Screen-mirroring functionality borrowed from another device
Using the Roku mobile app or Apple’s AirPlay, you can stream content from your iPhone to your Roku device.
For Android and Windows devices, you can use Miracast to stream local TV channels that aren’t available on Roku or a third-party app.
As the name suggests, Miracast mirrors your screen to other Miracast-enabled devices (which includes Roku). Click Connect in the Action Center to use Miracast in Windows. The Cast option can be found in your Android device’s settings.
Botton Line!
Netflix and Hulu are popular subscription streaming services, but did you know that you can also watch local and national television channels on your Roku device? You can get local channels on Roku in five different ways. In the Roku Channel Store, you can get the following free local channels: Channel 5 of WTVF is the News Channel. WPXI News, Channel 11News, 12Boston, 25.
You can also use third-party apps, such as news and Haystack TV, to watch these channels. On your streaming device that uses the Roku platform, you can access official Roku local TV channels as well as local TV channels provided by third parties. If you already have a live TV app, you can probably use it on your Roku. Roku apps stream local channels. Over 200 markets can access CBS All Access.
Hulu + Live TV is available in select markets and streams local programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. You can stream content from your iPhone to your Roku device. Miracast mirrors your screen to other Miracast-enabled devices (which includes Roku).
Also Read: What Channel is ESPN on DirecTV?
