To find additional channels besides the ones installed by default on your Roku, use your Roku remote to scroll down to streaming channels. printing okay on the remote to select it.
In the Channel Store, you will see the Featured where some commonly used channels are listed.
You can view the most popular free channels by selecting Top Free Movies & TV.
This is where your channel-finding adventures begin. There are hundreds and hundreds of channels full of content that you can watch. Much of it is free, but there are certainly plenty of channels you have to pay for or already have a cable subscription for.
Note: You can also control your Roku with the mobile-based remote or the Roku Remote app on your Apple Watch.
Best Free Roku Channels
The following are some of the best free Roku channels that you’ll want to add. They all have plenty of content that is entertaining, binge-worthy, and sometimes wonderfully quirky.
1. The Roku Channel
This channel has a mix of free and premium content. You’ll find categories like News, Hit Movies & TV, What’s Cooking, Sports Fix and more.
Movies on the Roku channel range from older ones like Interview with the Vampire to more modern ones like Fury. There is a live TV channel guide that you can use to find free news, shows and streaming content from multiple stations.
There are family movies, reality shows, and even old sitcoms like I Dream of Jeannie and Highway to Heaven. If you’re just getting used to your Roku, this channel isn’t a bad place to start.
2.Netflix
Netflix is technically not free, since you need to pay a monthly subscription. Technically though, if you watch many hours of content on this channel every month, the value proposition is close to zero.
Sign in to your Netflix account on this channel to access Netflix original series and movies, watch full seasons of TV shows and sitcoms, or find documentaries about things that interest you.
The good thing about the Netflix channel is that Netflix frequently updates its offering, so you are rarely in a rush to watch something good.
3. Hulu
Hulu is another subscription-based service, but it offers a limited free account.
Hulu is well known for being the place to watch full seasons of old and new TV shows that you may have watched or want to watch again. On the Hulu channel, you’ll also find exclusive original shows and movies, lots of kids’ shows, and many of the most popular movies you might not find on other channels.
4. plexus
When most people think of Plex, they think of the Plex media center. However, in late 2019, Plex launched its own streaming service.
The main categories of content you’ll find on the Plex channel include Movies & TV, Web Shows, News, Podcasts, Music, and of course, Your Media. Your Media is where you can connect to media that you have stored on your own personal Plex media server.
5. Red box
Redbox existed long before streaming services. The DVD population sparked the arrival of those DVD movie vending machines that can be found outside of stores across the country.
These days there’s Redbox On Demand, which is also another channel on Roku. This doesn’t seem like a free service, but this pay-on-demand service also includes a Free Live TV. This free section is packed with content in categories like news, sports, movies, TV, and top genres.
The selection is not significant but they are all free.
6. Pluto.tv
Pluto is an interesting take on free streaming content. Content is presented in a TV Guide-style grid with streaming selections listed by time frame.
Some of the TV stations you’ll find here include CNET, IGN, Nick, Comedy, CMT Westerns, and many others, all designed specifically for Pluto TV viewers. So sit back and surf the channels like you used to when you had cable!
7. Tubi
The Tubi channel is a great one to try if you’re looking for quality movies and TV shows that you’d find on more popular services like Netflix.
It’s a great place to go when you run out of things to watch on those most popular channels. You can also explore free content on the popular cable channels you love, including A&E, FOX, Lifetime and more.
8. Crunch
If you’ve ever searched for free movies online, chances are you’ve come across Crackle pages for specific movie streams. This is not a surprise considering how many free movies you can find there with no subscription required.
Watch old and new TV shows and movies spanning all genres like documentaries, thrillers, dramas, horror, and you’ll even find Crackle original movie deals.
9. Swimming for adults
If you are an adult who has never stopped watching cartoons, then you know that Adult Swim is a channel made for you.
Adult Swim shows are essentially late-night cartoons on Cartoon Network. The target audience for these shows, which often feature sexual themes, strong language, and often violence, is clearly the 18+ audience. This Roku channel features popular adult animated series like Rick and Morty, The Venture Brothers, and Robotic Chicken.
The block has frequently aired adult animation features, mockumentaries, comedy sketches, and pilots. The block’s shows are known for their sexual themes, frank sexual discussions, nudity, strong language, and graphic violence.
10.C.W.
Another well-known station that loves to record people is the CW. This network was originally a joint venture between WB Entertainment and CBS.
Some of their biggest hits and shows you’ll find on this Roku channel include: Riverdale, Nancy Drew, the DC Legends of Tomorrow series, Supernatural, Haunted, and many more.
11.ABCs
Speaking of stations, on Roku you’ll also find a channel to stream hit ABC shows.
Some of the more popular shows you’ll recognize here include The Bachelor, Grey’s Anatomy, Shark Tank, Modern Family, and more. If you are looking for a single Roku channel to enjoy your favorite shows, this is the one.
12.PBS
The public broadcasting station obtains its funds from a wide range of sources. A large component of that comes from the public itself, including individual donors and entire private foundations. So it’s amazing how much of its programming is done so professionally that it has built up a significant audience of fans.
On the Roku Channel for PBS, you’ll find the best PBS shows like BRAND NEW STAR, Frontline, and several original Masterpiece movies. Best of all, when you add the channel, you’ll need to register online (for free) and include your zip code. With this information, the Roku PBS channel will offer the content of your local PBS station, including news.
13. Free TV
The Freebie TV channel on Roku focuses on movies and TV shows that offer something for everyone in the family.
Each genre doesn’t have many titles, about a couple dozen each, but you’ll generally find a few hundred titles. Furthermore, there are even popular YouTube video channels to stream. Please note that much of the content here is ad-supported.
14. Western Mania
Have you ever been nostalgic for old Western movies? Who does not?
On this Roku channel you can browse and enjoy the old westerns that you grew up with as a child. Binge Bonanza, cisco kid, rifleman, and many more.
15. Vice
This is one of those Roku channels that once you start watching you won’t be able to stop.
Vice programming is very different. Think of documentaries on all kinds of topics, including crime, celebrity, culture, fashion, and topics that don’t even fit into one category. If you’ve ever wanted to find content to stream online that makes you feel enlightened and entertained at the same time, this Roku channel is for you.
16. American Classics
This Roku channel gives new meaning to the word classics. These are shows from another era.
Think of John Wayne, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and more. You’ve heard the quotes. You’ve seen references to these in modern movies. Now watch the golden age of Hollywood in all its streaming glory directly on the American Classics Roku channel.
17. Sunrise
Filmrise is another service that doesn’t require a subscription to stream all the free content found there.
Best of all, the content library is extensive and includes amazing movies and TV series. You’ll find popular comedies, romances, horror movies, action movies, documentaries and more.
18. Scary photo
Are horror movies your thing? How about a Roku channel devoted entirely to the movies that scare you?
This channel is ideal for horror moviegoers. You will not only find modern movies like Train to Busan, temple, or VHS. You can also enjoy old horror movies like Dance Night, Ghost, and Friday the 13th.
19. Independent Rights
While not every indie movie is worth watching, there are quite a few that are surprisingly good to watch. In fact, some are surprisingly good.
On the Roku Indie Rights channel, you can watch award-winning independent movies and series. Judge these movies for yourself. Choose from horror movies, drama, comedy, and wacky movies that you won’t forget long after the end of the movie.
other channels
Believe it or not, this long list of the best free Roku channels is just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to browse through many more, simply select your favorite category in the Roku channel store.
Once you select any of the channels, you will have the option to add the channel. If you have set up a PIN code to protect your account, you will need to enter it. Once done, you can open the channel from your Roku home page.
Also, if you don’t like the default Roku screensaver, customize your Roku screensaver with your own photos.
