If you accept cut the cord and bought a Roku device, you can however access your local Tv set networks. Here'south how to spotter local channels on Roku for free!

The Drawbacks of Using Roku to Picket Local TV

Most importantly, due to diverse licensing and distribution deals, the local TV channels y'all access through your Roku are not necessarily going to exist identical to that which y'all'd receive through cable Television set or an OTA antenna.

The issue is especially prevalent when it comes to news and movies. Luckily, there are lots of other means for string-cutters to sentinel news broadcasts, while a Netflix subscription will offering all the movies you lot could possibly desire.

one. Official Local TV Roku Channels

If you want to watch local channels on Roku, your first port of call should exist the official Roku Channel Shop. Here, you volition be able to detect both network-affiliated and 3rd-party options.

Today, there are more than than 100 costless local news channels in the store, including WSB-Television receiver Channel 2, News 12, WBRC Play tricks 6 News, WTVF News Channel 5, Boston 25, FOX13 Memphis News, WPXI Channel eleven News, and KGTV 10 News San Diego.

The best fashion to scan the free local channels is to head to the News and Weather section of the Channel Store, either on the web or through your Roku device.

2. Third-Party Local Channels on Roku

If your local TV stations don't take their own Roku app, you nonetheless have a few different avenues available to you.

The first is to check out third-political party apps. There are two worth serious consideration.

NewsON

We've discussed NewsON many times here at MUO. It's a joint project betwixt five of the largest TV station groups in the U.s.: ABC, Cox Media Group, Hearst Tv, Media Full general, and Raycom Media. Since launch, several more station groups have also come on board.

The result is that NewsON at present offers more than 170 Tv stations from 110+ American towns and cities for free. According to its own literature, almost 85% of the The states population at present has access to at to the lowest degree one local channel.

Haystack TV

Another ane of our favorites is Haystack TV. It'due south arguably the best option for cord-cutters who want to lookout the national and local news.

From a local TV standpoint, Haystack TV has partnerships with more than 150 local news stations. They include CBS Los Angeles KCAL, CBS Pittsburgh KDKA, CBS Chicago WBBM, CBS New York WCBS, CBS Boston WBZ, CBS San Francisco KPIX, NBC Nebraska, and many more than.

Haystack is customizable. The more y'all picket it, the more than it learns about your interests and preferences so it can show yous the content you intendance about.

3. Private Local Channels on Roku

I of Roku's all-time features is its ability to add private channels. They are apps created by hobbyists and independent developers which have not been published in the official store.

If you do a bit of digging, you might be able to find a individual aqueduct for your expanse. Simply make sure yous're legally immune to watch the content before hit the install button.

Read our article to larn how to add together individual channels to your Roku device. We've also written about some of the best private channels for Roku that you should install right now.

4. Major Network Apps on Roku

If you still have a cablevision TV subscription, you will be able to download the official apps from all the main networks, including ABC, NBC, Fob, CBS, and PBS.

Some local affiliates of the big networks stream their content via the parent network'due south app. Bank check directly with the TV provider to find out whether your local channels are supported.

5. Use an OTA Antenna With Roku

If you take a Roku Television (a television set with the Roku operating system born), you can claw an HDTV antenna up to it and watch OTA TV through the Roku interface. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to begin.

Y'all'd exist surprised almost the amount of content that's bachelor with an antenna—you lot'll get everything from the NFL to pop TV serial.

Modern antennas are neither expensive nor visual eyesores. With a mid-range model, y'all should be able to option upwards channels from more than 100 miles away (depending on your local terrain).

6. Local Channels on Roku Using YouTube

Another way of watching local channels is to check out YouTube.

An always-increasing number of local networks stream 24/vii broadcasts of their feeds. At the very to the lowest degree, you should be able to find standalone clips, segments, and episodes and so that you lot tin always stay beside of the local goings-on.

To use YouTube, y'all will need to download the official YouTube app for your Roku device and sign in with your Google account.

vii. Screen Mirroring to Roku

Unfortunately, Roku devices practise not provide a native way to scan the cyberspace, and the Roku browser marketplace is limited. That'due south problematic if your local TV channels only stream content on their website and do not take any 3rd-political party apps showing the footage.

Merely don't despair, as there is a workaround—if you're an Android or Windows user. Information technology's called Miracast.

Miracast is like a wireless HDMI cable. Information technology lets you lot mirror your screen on supported devices, a scrap like a Chromecast. All new Android phones and Windows computers have Miracast included.

To get started on Windows, open the Activeness Center and click on Connect. On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Cast.

Watching Local Channels on Roku: Paid Options

Finally, remember there are some paid apps bachelor to you lot likewise. The most popular are DirecTV, Hulu, PlayStation Vue, Sling, and YouTube TV. Each of them has some form of local programming for you to lookout man. Make use of the free trials to see if they are right for you.

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About The Writer

Dan Price (1607 Articles Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, chapter agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. You can as well notice him roaming the show floor at CES in Las Vegas every year, say hi if you lot're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Fiscal Consultant.

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