So, like, have you heard of Roku before? Yeah, those guys are famous for their streaming gadgets and sticks, but did you know they have this totally free entertainment hub called the Roku Channel? You don’t even need a Roku TV or their hardware to watch it. Crazy, right? Let me break it down for you.
To get in on the action, you can hit up the Roku Channel on a web browser or through their mobile apps for Android and iOS. If you’re chilling with a smart TV or some other streaming device (think Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung smart TV), you gotta snag the Roku Channel app from their app store first. Bummer alert: if you’re rocking an LG smart TV or an Apple TV streamer, you’re out of luck. But don’t sweat it, I’ll share some hacks for those platforms later on.
Now, if you’re feeling the FOMO and want a Roku streamer, no worries—I got your back. But here’s the kicker: you don’t actually need a Roku streaming device or TV to catch the free shows on the Roku Channel. Yes, you read that right. Just whip out your trusty web browser, head to theRokuChannel.com, and pick your poison.
Alright, so what’s the deal with the Roku Channel? Well, first off, they’ve got a bunch of FAST channels (that’s free ad-supported TV for ya), movies, and TV series ready for your binge-watching pleasure. Plus, they even offer live linear TV, which is like old-school TV scheduling but with a modern twist. And get this—the Roku Channel has its own exclusive movies and shows that you won’t find anywhere else. Fancy, right?
I’m talking top-notch stuff like the Emmy-winning Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, starring none other than Daniel Radcliffe himself. Roku’s got a few other original gems up their sleeve, like The Great American Baking Show, Honest Renovations, and Visionaries: The Arch Project with Keanu Reeves. It might not be as vast as what you’d find on Netflix, but hey, it’s all free (with some ads, of course).
Oh, and get this—Roku swooped in and rescued a boatload of shows from Quibi, that short-form video service that flopped big time. Now you can catch shows like Die Hart with Kevin Hart and the revival of Punk’d with Chance the Rapper, all on the Roku Channel. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.
Since the Roku Channel is all about that streaming life, they’re all about hooking you up with other streaming services like Prime Video, Peacock, MGM+, and Paramount+. So, if you’re digging what they have to offer, you might find yourself redirected to those services’ apps or websites. Just a heads up.
Now, if you’re itching to dive into the Roku Channel on your computer or tablet, just pop over to therokuchannel.com. You’ll see a bunch of thumbnails showcasing the movies and shows up for grabs. Quick note: not everything is free and ad-supported, but the Roku Channel makes it easy to tell what’s what. Just scroll a bit, and you’ll know what’s up.
The browser view lets you browse through different categories like Roku Originals, Movies, Series, Comedy, Drama, and more. Plus, you can save your faves for later. It’s pretty straightforward, except for one tiny hiccup—you can’t hide the Premium Subscription content. But hey, that’s just how Roku rolls.
Want to check out the Roku Channel on your phone? No sweat. Just fire up the Roku app on iOS or Android. It’s mainly a remote for Roku devices, but you can totally use it to watch the Roku Channel. Pro tip: if you’ve got an Apple TV, you can mirror your phone screen to watch the Roku Channel on the big screen.
So, what’s the best way to catch the Roku Channel in action? If you’ve got a Google, Amazon Fire, or Roku streaming device, grab the Roku Channel app for a hassle-free experience. And if you’re without those gadgets, just hit up the web browser for some free entertainment. Or if you’re more of a mobile user, log in via a browser to add shows to your Save List and access them easily on the app.
Free streaming is where it’s at these days. With a few commercials here and there, you can indulge in a ton of classic and new movies and shows on the Roku Channel and other FAST services. So, why not kick back and enjoy the show, right?
