Roku is among the best streaming devices you can buy. While on-demand TV shows and movie access on Roku are convenient, you prefer live TV channels to catch your favorite shows, news channels, and sports events. You don’t lose access to local channels when you cut the cord in favor of a Roku streaming stick. It’s easy to watch local channels on your Roku device.


At CES 2023, Roku announced it is looking to manufacture TVs running Roku OS in the near future. The company wants to cement its position in the streaming devices market. The built-in Roku Channel Store is packed with free, paid, and cheaper apps and services offering access to local channels over the internet.


Check live TV on Roku OS 12

Roku recently launched Roku OS 12 for eligible devices. Go to Settings > System to download the latest system on your streaming device. You can check Live TV Zone on the homescreen to access several channels.

You can glance over local news channels curated for your location and even check AI-recommended channels from major cities across the U.S.

Use live TV channels from the Channel Store

The Channel Store is your one-stop solution for downloading free channels. It’s packed with network-affiliated and third-party channels. Some notable names include NewsON, Haystack, WBRC FOX6 News, Boston 25, and WPXI Channel 11 News.

Local channels on Roku

NewsON offers more than 200 local news stations across the U.S. You don’t need an account or subscription. You can download the NewsOS channel from the Channel Store and enjoy the content online. Haystack is another popular option for watching local and global news from more than 300 channels.

You can add channels using the Channel Store on your Roku device, Roku site, or mobile apps. Your Roku account syncs and makes all channels available on your compatible devices.

Live TV on The Roku Channel

Roku channel store

The Roku Channel unlocks thousands of TV shows, hit movies, Roku Originals, and more than 350 live TV channels on your Roku device. It’s available from the Channel Store to download. It doesn’t require a subscription, purchase, or rental. You can add up to 40 Premium subscriptions from services like SHOWTIME, AMC+, and EPIX and access everything from a single app.

The Roku Channel can be downloaded on Samsung smart TV and Amazon Fire TV. Once you download the Roku Channel, open the app and head to the Live TV section to enjoy always-on TV channels anytime.

Check local channels on YouTube

YouTube has an ever-growing number of live TV channels to stream on Roku. Most news stations have a YouTube channel to air live news and segments. All you do is download the YouTube app on your Roku from the Channel Store and sign in with your Google account details.

Explore paid streaming services with local channels support

There’s no shortage of streaming services with live TV channel support on Roku. Let’s quickly go through some of the popular options for your Roku device.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV on Roku

Google’s YouTube TV offers 100+ live TV channels to watch on Roku. The channel list covers popular categories like News, Sports, Kids, Entertainment, and Music. The company offers unlimited DVR space, and pricing starts at $73 per month. You can opt for a free trial to check the content library and overall streaming experience. YouTube TV is available to download from the Channel Store on Roku.

You also have the option to explore dozens of add-ons to elevate your streaming experience on YouTube TV. Services like Max (known as HBO Max), Showtime, AMC+, Cinemax, and more are available as add-ons on YouTube TV. With the introduction of NFL Sunday Ticket and access to all the relevant sports channels, it’s a must-have streaming service for football fans. You can read our dedicated guide on YouTube TV to learn more.