How to get regular cable on roku tv

With a Roku streaming device, you can combine all of your favorite streaming service apps in  one place. Most services provide on-demand content, but what if you want to watch local TV channels? Well, you can, and this guide will show you how to get local channels on Roku.

Key Takeaways:

• There are lots of free local TV Roku channels available from the Roku Channel Store.
• Many free third-party Roku channels allow you to watch local news stations and weather forecasts by inputting a zip code.
• You can also watch live and local TV channels on Roku via paid streaming platforms, such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and Paramount+.
• If you’re a Roku TV user, you can connect an HDTV antenna and scan for free local channels straight from your TV.

Having local and national TV channels on your Roku makes total sense, especially if you’re a cord-cutter. You can be watching your favorite show on Netflix one minute and a local news channel the next — without having to switch to another device.

In this article, we’ll go over the different apps you can install to watch local TV, as well as some other ways you can get local channels on Roku.

• Major network apps on Roku include ABC, NBC and CBS. These let you watch some content for free, but for the latest episodes of your favorite shows, you’ll need to sign in with a valid paid TV subscription like a cable TV login. If you have a Roku TV, you can connect an HDTV antenna and access the channels from there.

• To watch local channels on Roku, you can install a dedicated local TV Roku channel or opt for a paid streaming service that includes local channels. If you have a Roku TV, you can connect an HDTV antenna and scan for local channels.

• Many local channels are available for free on Roku. Some have a dedicated Roku channel, whereas others are available via third-party Roku channels. However, not all channels are available via such apps. For those, you might need to invest in a streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or Paramount Plus.

• Many local channels have a dedicated free Roku channel. Others are available for free via third-party Roku channels. Roku TV users also have the option of connecting an HDTV antenna to scan for local channels.

Some local channels have an official Roku app that you can install directly from the Roku Channel Store. Some are free, while others are subscription-based. Keep in mind that some channels’ dedicated Roku apps won’t be exactly the same as the over-the-air channel due to licensing contracts.

You can use the search tool in the Roku Channel Store to find the channel you want and then add it to your Roku (we have a detailed guide on how to add channels to Roku). Alternatively, you can browse Roku’s categories to find a local channel.

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If you have a Roku TV, all you need to do is connect an HDTV antenna to the TV and follow some on-screen steps to scan for local networks. After that, you can watch them just like you would any other channel. Such channels can include news, sports, weather and primetime TV, and the best part is that they’re free.

You can add an HDTV antenna to a Roku TV and scan for local channels.

HDTV antennas are much better than the rabbit ears of the past too. They provide a better signal and can pick up channels from much farther away. Just remember that the channels you pick up still depend on your location — you just get a wider range.

Use Screen Mirroring

If you can’t obtain the local channels you want with any of the methods above, you could mirror another device with local channels to your Roku. Now, that might not sound like the most efficient way of watching local channels, but if you access them on an iOS, Android or Windows device, you can then mirror it to your Roku and watch the channel on the big screen.

If you watch a local channel’s livestream online, you can easily mirror your screen to Roku and watch it on the big screen instead.

For instance, you might want to watch a specific local channel, but find that it doesn’t have a Roku app and isn’t available on a third-party app or streaming service. If the channel is available via an online stream, you can load it up on your mobile device and then mirror your screen to Roku. It’s easy enough if you follow our dedicated guide on how to cast to Roku.

Find Local Channel Content on YouTube

Although it’s unlikely you’ll find a YouTube stream of your local channel, it’s possible that you’ll find some episodes or clips available to watch. So, while you might not be able to watch a continuous stream, you should be able to keep up with key news points, local weather and other information for your area on the Roku YouTube app.

Final Thoughts: Watch Local Channels With Roku

Now you know the different ways you can watch live and local channels on Roku. Whether you want to catch the latest news or weather forecasts, or dance to your favorite hometown radio show, there are plenty of choices to pick from.

Installing a dedicated live TV Roku channel or using a live TV streaming service are the best options, but there are alternative methods, such as using an antenna with a Roku TV or mirroring your screen to Roku.

Do you watch live TV or local channels on your Roku? Which method do you use? Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comment section and take a look at our Roku scams piece to make sure you stay safe. As always, thank you for reading.