You can easily find lots of local channels on Roku as the Roku channel store is packed with local news & weather, movies, TV shows, sports, and all kinds of content that suit your needs. However, most of the local channels listed only contain news and weather channels.
The article will show you how to get local channels on Roku efficiently.
How To Get Local Channels on Roku, News, and Weather
To watch local channels on a Roku device, you can use the below-given methods. But before we proceed, let’s explain a bit about Roku.
Roku:
- Roku is a streaming device that makes your TV smart. It helps you access entertainment through various streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and Sling which includes movies, TV shows, sports, news, live TV, music, and more
- You will find both free and paid channels in the Roku channel store.
- If you choose paid apps like Youtube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, and Hulu + Live TV, you will need a monthly subscription.
- If you just like watching the News, there are many free apps that you can install to get local news and weather information for free, such as the ‘News on’ app which brings you local news and local news clips from 170 places.
- You can choose local News & Weather channels by heading directly to the “News & Weather” category in the Roku Channel Store.
- There are over 100 local news channels on Roku including, NewsOn, Haystack TV, Local Now, WGN Chicago, KHOU Houston, FOX25 Boxton, and WSB Atlanta.
- Apart from this, you can also get local news and weather information on Roku with the help of radio channels like iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.
Well, let’s go ahead and get straight to the topic of how to watch local channels on Roku.
- Roku Channel:
The Roku channels have more than 60 local news stations in major metropolitan areas, including local affiliates of Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC. You can find them in the “Local News Near You” Row in the Queen Live TV zone.
- Third-Party Streaming Services: Some of the streaming services available on Roku, such as Hulu, YouTube, and Sling offer local channels as part of their subscription packages.
- Over-The-Air-Antenna:
- Connect an HDTV antenna to the “Antenna/Cable in” connector on your Roku TV.
- Press Home on your Roku remote and select Live TV.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan for available channels.
- After the scan is complete, you may be able to watch local broadcasts up to 100 miles away, depending on the strength of your antenna.
4. Local News App: Look for apps like NewOn, and Haystack News in the channel store. These apps allow you to input your city or zip code to access local news, weather, and traffic from your area.
Remember that the availability of local channels may vary depending on your location and subscription package.
How To Watch Local Channels Via Antenna
You can also watch local channels on your Roku TV, Roku Stick, and Roku Player. It all depends on your location. The antenna can pull transmissions from more than 50 miles away.
Generally, you will be able to get broadcasts from all the major networks ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS. So you will be able to easily watch your local news and best primetime TV shows.
Weather Network and WeatherNation both offer you local weather forecasts and hourly and extended forecasts based on your location. The WeatherNation also provides you with a 24/7 live stream of national weather news.
- Tablo TV enables you to watch and record live OTA TV. So enjoy the streaming by setting up Roku Player or Roku Stick on your TV.
What Can You Watch On Local Channels?
There is so much you can watch on local channels! They are a great source of news, events, and entertainment in your area. Let’s find out what you can watch on local channels:
Local News:
- On local channels, you can watch all the latest news happening in your city, state, or region.
- You can watch news on politics, crime, traffic, weather, sports, and other local issues.
- Interviews with local leaders and community members can be found.
Weather Forecast:
- Accurate weather forecast for your area.
- Get temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and other weather-related information.
- Get weather warnings and advisories in advance.
Traffic Information:
- Information about traffic conditions on the road.
- Alerts about jams, accidents, and road closures.
- Suggestion for alternate routes.
Local Events:
- Local TV shows, such as talk shows, reality shows, and cooking shows.
- Performances from local artists and musicians.
- Coverage of community events and festivals.
Sports:
- Live telecasts of matches of local sports teams.
- Local sports news and analytics.
- Coverage of school and college sports events.
Religious Programs:
- You can also watch religious programs and bhajans channels related to different religions.
Educational Programs:
- Educational programs for children and adults.
- Information about local schools and colleges.
Advantages of local channels:
- Local Relevance: Local channels focus on news and events in your area.
- Stronger Community Bond: Local channels help bring the community together.
- Support Local Businesses: Local channels help promote local businesses.
How To Watch Local Channels:
- Antenna: Using an antenna you can watch local channels for free.
- Cable TV: Your cable TV provider may have a package of local channels.
- Satellite TV: Some Satellite TV providers also offer local channels.
- Streaming Services: Some streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, and Sling TV offer local channels.
Conclusion: Local channels are a great way to learn about your area. They help you stay updated with local news, weather, sports, and other entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get local channels?
As we told above, you can use an antenna to access local channels available in your area. To watch local news, information, and shows on channels like Fox, and NBC, you can buy Hulu on-demand package for $5.99/month without the need for an antenna.
What app gives you free local channels?
Locast is such a good app for free local broadcast TV online. Cord-cutters no longer have to miss their local news, weather, or sports due to the poor over-the-air signals. Locast gives you direct access to live TV on your available devices for free.
What are the main local channels?
There are various major networks available to broadcast local news, weather, and live TV. Some of these are ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, and The CW. In addition, you can enter your Zip and find local channels available in your area.
Can you get ABC, NBC, and CBS on Roku?
Yes, live broadcast channels such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, HGTV, and Local Now are available in the Roku Channel Store. Roku TV users can also access live TV and local broadcasts over the air by connecting an antenna.
You can install the best apps from the Roku Channel Store to watch local channels on a Roku device. To know about more apps visit our Home Page and select category Apps.