Here’s how to check out all of Roku’s free linear channels

Roku streaming devices are a great option for turning your home entertainment system into a streaming hub. They pack a staggering amount of content into a small, easy-to-use device, delivering your favorite shows and movies on streaming apps. Along with the content you may already pay for every month, Roku also includes a variety of free channels, including its own free ad-supported streaming (FAST) TV platform the Roku Channel.

If you cut the cord years ago, you may have missed out on live programming for years, opting to watch when shows eventually hit the streaming services you subscribe to. Roku aims to give you a better option; right out of the box, your new Roku device has access to hundreds of channels broadcasting programming around the clock. With options that include new, sports, movies, and TV classics, there’s always something worth watching available.

Everything you need to know about linear TV on Roku

Roku linear TV channels

Like all streaming platforms, Roku provides access to all of the big-name services that deliver the most buzzed-about series and movies like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and more. However, what Roku does better than practically anyone else in the industry is surround that with hundreds of free ad-supported channels that bring viewers everything from news to sports to kids’ shows to classic movies and more.

There are over 500 channels available on Roku for you to surf through the next time you’re looking for something to watch. All of these channels are linear, meaning that you can tune in and watch something around the clock. That means that unlike streaming a show or movie from an on-demand service like Peacock or Paramount+, viewers aren’t able to pause, fast-forward, or rewind, and in many cases, the shows can’t be DVRed to watch later. Also, all of the linear channels on Roku are ad-supported, so there’s no way to opt into a tier that is commercial-free.

A small number of these channels cover news, sports, and weather, and feel like channels you could find on traditional cable and satellite pay-TV services. However, the vast majority of these channels are built around a specific theme. These themes could be a specific genre (westerns, sci-fi, classic comedies), a specific artist (Elvis Presley, Ed Sullivan, Alfred Hitchcock), or a single television series (“Gunsmoke,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Price Is Right”). While the focus of these channels differs from their linear predecessors, in a lot of ways, they still work like cable. You remember cable, right?

You’ll tune into the channel you want to watch, and will join the programming wherever it is in its airtime. This means it’s possible to miss an episode or tune in halfway through a movie. At intervals during watching, you’ll see commercial breaks as well. The free Roku channels are all ad-supported, which means it doesn’t cost you anything extra to tune in, but you’ll have to endure the commercials, since their advertising is what allows Roku to keep channels in rotation.

How to access linear TV on Roku

Roku might have plenty for you to watch, but you’ll still need to find it first. We’ve got the details for accessing that sweet, free TV.

1. Navigate to the home screen on your Roku device.
2. Select “Live TV.”
3. Select a channel from the guide or the recommended channels to start watching.

Roku live TV channels to check out

Roku has put together a massive list of linear channels. These include everything from news and sports to channels that air classic shows like “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Johnny Carson Show.” With hundreds of channels to scroll through, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you aren’t sure of your options. That’s why we’ve got a selection of channels for you worth checking out. The only thing to remember is that we’ve only highlighted a few channels from each category, so that means there is plenty more for you to discover.

Movies and TV

Looking for something to turn your brain off and zone out after work? We’ve got you covered. These channels are all made for TV shows and movies.

News and Sports

If you want to stay caught up on what’s happening in the world, or you’re a sports fan, there are also options. There’s a wide variety of options, no matter what sport or network you’re hoping to find.

Kids and Children

When it comes to finding family-friendly programming, you want an option that’s built for your children. That way, you can be sure they aren’t watching shows you haven’t vetted first. Roku has 28 channels specifically for children, with the shows they already know and love.

Go watch TV!

Roku delivers a stellar option for your home entertainment hub. You can access movies and shows across hundreds of free channels, along with enjoying your favorites from streaming services. Whether you’re brand new to Roku or you’ve known about it for years, the company offers many streaming devices well worth the price. With tons of ad-supported content, you can feast your eyes on a huge content library without ever paying an extra penny.

Roku’s massive array of linear channels also makes it easy to find something to put on as background noise, even if you can’t decide on a specific show to turn on. This means you can always find something to watch and even check out classic movies and shows you’d forgotten existed.

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