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ZDNET Highlights
- The Roku Channel offers free live TV, on-demand shows, and movies.
- You can watch on almost any TV, computer, tablet or phone.
- There are over 500 live channels available.
The Roku name has become synonymous with streaming devices, but it has also quietly become one of the best streaming services.
For eight years, The Roku Channel has been one of the better free streaming options available. It hosts live content as well as on-demand TV shows and movies at no charge (Roku says it has “thousands of free TV shows and hit movies” and more than 500 live TV channels).
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If you already have a Roku device, the Roku app is likely already installed. However, if you don’t have a Roku device or have never accessed the channel, it’s worth checking out to see what you’ve been missing.
I can honestly say that I never really tried to see what the app has to offer, and now that I have, I don’t know why I waited so long.
live tv category
The Live TV category included content such as Law & Order, Storage Wars and Police; Channels dedicated to MLB and NFL; classic shows like Gunsmoke and Little House on the Prairie; live news shows from Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC; And ample amount of material for children.
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It literally feels like the cable I remember growing up. There was even a live sports category with a handful of college football games.
On-demand shows and movies
The on-demand TV shows and movies sections were just as strong, offering things like Pawn Stars, The First 48, a large number of documentaries, It, Titanic, and more.
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Other free streaming services exist, like Tubi, Fubo, and Fandango at Home, but after checking out the different offerings, I’d put The Roku Channel up against any of them.
always evolving
Although the app has quite an impressive lineup, the Roku Channel offering is always evolving.
Just last week, it added more than a dozen new channels, including Gaming Center, which hosts video game live streams and tutorials, offers e-sports highlights and a behind-the-scenes look at the gaming industry; Yahoo Sports Network, which hosts content such as sports highlights and fantasy tips; The Tyler Perry Channel, with drama, comedy and inspirational stories; And In Depth with Graham, discussing politics, culture and world affairs.
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You will have to create an account, but the app is completely free. there is web browser versionOne Android versionOne iOS versionAnd of course, a version for Roku OS, so you can access the channel on almost any device. A small amount of content requires a subscription to an additional service like HBO Max or Hallmark, but that’s not the case for most.
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