The Roku streaming device has already gained a lot of popularity. It opens up access to watching content on various streaming platforms and more. But what if you’re used to watching cable TV, but you don’t have special wires in your house. Roku streaming device offers you an alternative in the form of backdoor portals, which give you access to some of the greatest local-area content, including news, weather, sports, and more. In this article, we are going to tell you how to watch your favorite local channels on your Roku device.
How to watch official local channels on Roku
The first option available to you is a list of Roku’s own official local channels. Over 100 channels are currently available on Roku, including News 12, Boston 25, FOX13 Memphis News, and many more. The disadvantage is that the list of available channels is constantly changing.
To start searching for available channels, simply sign in to the Roku website with your browser. Scroll through the list of available networks and view detailed information. Some of these services are only available if you have a paid subscription, so you should find out before you click “Install”. You can install your favorite channel directly from the website.
How to watch third-party channels on Roku
If your favorite local TV channels are not available on Roku or they have left the platform, you can choose one of the official third-party apps. You can easily find them in the Roku store. Here are a few of the best third-party apps:
- Haystack TV creates a personalized feed of global and local news from more than 300 trusted sources. Within the channel, you can customize menus by topic, category and provider. Moreover, this service is free;
- NewsOn offers more than 170 TV channels from 110+ U.S. cities and towns for free. You can search for affiliates by station or location and save your preferred local providers in the “Favorites” category. And with Live Stations, you’ll also be notified when certain affiliates go live with the latest local coverage;
- CBS News. On this platform, you can watch local reports from nine local CBS channels, including the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and others. You can also watch additional clips and reports from popular CBS programs such as CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News, and 60 Minutes.
How to use the OTA antenna with Roku
If you don’t want to bother with connections, providers, and monthly subscriptions, you can install an over-the-air antenna (OTA). First, connect an HDTV antenna to your Roku TV. Next, follow the easy on-screen steps to scan for channels. This option lets you watch your local NBC, Fox, CBS, ABC, and CW channels for free.
Finally, you have to be aware that there are also paid apps. The most popular are DirecTV, Hulu, PlayStation Vue, Sling, and YouTube TV. Each of them offers some form of local programming to watch. Take advantage of the free trials to see if they’re a good choice for you.
