Roku acts as a portal to video streaming for a large number of people. The Roku is the platform we use to access the video services we enjoy, whether it’s through a Roku media streaming device or Roku software built directly into your smart TV. Roku, on the other hand, provides a free video streaming service called The Roku Channel. The ad-supported service doesn’t quite match the top premium alternatives or even the free tier of Editors’ Choice winner Peacock, but it’s worth a look.
What you will see here:
On the Roku Channel, what can you watch?
More than 10,000 free episodes and movies are available on the Roku Channel. This puts it on track with other free streaming sites such as Tubi (which has 20,000 episodes and movies) and Peacock (13,000 hours of content). When we last checked, Crackle offered only about 1,000 free episodes and movies. Free video services take a more random approach to entertainment, distributing whatever licenses they can get their hands on. Although The Roku Channel’s collection spans decades and genres. It appears random in comparison to premium Editors’ Choice choice services like Netflix and Hulu.
From Dennis the Menace in the 1950s to the original Miami Vice in the 1980s. To Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 2 Broke Girls, and Xena: Warrior Princess, TV shows span decades. On The Roku channel, you can watch Ace Ventura or the first two Shrek flicks, then switch to Man on Fire or Snowpiercer when you’re in a serious mood. Hell’s Kitchen and some good, old-fashioned daytime court TV are among its trashy reality hits. You can even watch dubbed anime like Bleach and Naruto.
Much of The Roku Channel’s bought content is a little out of date. But if you want something more recent that you’ve probably never seen before, Roku also has original shows. The strange thing about these episodes is that Roku bought them from the doomed Quibi. That defunct service spent a lot of money on big-name celebrities to persuade users to view “quick bite” films on their phones. As a result, these renamed “Roku Originals” are surprisingly impressive, ranging from the reboots of Punk’d and Reno 911 to Will Smith’s stand-up comedy reality program and a show in which Christoph Waltz hunts Liam Hemsworth for sport.
Available Channels on Roku!
Even while it’s entertaining to see Rachel Brosnahan on Roku talking about her prized golden arm, Editors’ Choice pick Peacock has a better backlog and more exciting original shows, such as its Bel Air revival with a deliciously nasty Carlton.
The Roku Channel offers free live TV in addition to its on-demand content. There are news channels such as ABC and NBC. You may also watch Lifetime movies, Bob the Builder, Project Runway, or The Asylum’s wonderful “mockbusters” on dedicated channels. This is a wonderful advantage to have in addition to the on-demand shows and movies, but if you’re looking for free live TV, Pluto TV may provide the channels you’re looking for.
The Roku Channel sells premium channels from partners like AMC, BET, Starz, and Showtime if you’re willing to pay for premium content. These networks also sell premium channels as part of other subscription services, such as
Costs and Platforms
The Roku Channel is completely free, except for the optional premium channels (whose pricing varies based on the channel). To begin reading content, you do not even need to create an account. However, there is only one tier: you must view advertisements. Peacock offers a broad and worthwhile free tier, but clients can upgrade to a paid tier for $4.99 or $9.99 per month.
The Roku Channel is available on anything with the Roku brand on it, including HDMI dongles, smart TVs, and Roku’s Android and iOS apps, as you might think. You may also view it online or download it to your computer. Owners of non-Roku devices can watch shows on
Roku Channel is available on the web and on mobile devices.
The dark purple and black color palette that dominates The Roku Channel will be familiar to Roku users. Before listing other shows and movies in densely packed rows, the website displays a large splash picture for a featured show. There are themed categories as well as categories for shows you’re already watching. Look for new shows that are trending or shows that are set to exit the service. Catch films that aren’t available on Netflix. Get a taste of premium channels for free. Alternatively, let Roku suggest material it thinks you’ll appreciate. You may also conduct a direct search for content and add it to your collection. When you choose a film, you’ll see a summary, the rating, and genre, as well as cast images. A list of all episodes in a season is also included in the show.
The video player works fine. You can rewind 15 seconds and activate picture-in-picture mode. However, you can’t change the video quality (or even know what the video quality of a broadcast is). Although we acknowledge that free providers do not offer 4K streaming, viewers should be aware of this fact. The quality of the stream is also determined by what you’re seeing. If a show isn’t widescreen, it isn’t likely to be HD. Although playback on my home Wi-Fi connection (60Mbps download) was generally good, some shows might struggle at first before smoothing out and improving picture quality. This was a common occurrence with live TV feeds.
Mobile devices as remote for Roku Channel
Except for the ambiguous “Auto, Low, Mid, and High” video quality options, the mobile experience is virtually the same. The Roku app also works as a remote for any Roku device, which is a huge plus for mobile users. As a result, you can use your phone to control your TV, do text searches rapidly, or offer voice instructions. Roku allows you to watch The Roku Channel on as many devices as you like without reaching a limit because it is a free service. However, unlike premium streaming services, you are unable to download videos to your mobile device for offline watching.
VPN and the Roku Channel
It’s one thing to watch a streaming service for free, but what if you could watch one without exposing your personal information online? Because they spoof your location to another area of the world, a VPN is an essential tool for online digital security. They do, however, frequently collide with streaming services and their regional license agreements.
Surprisingly, live TV functioned with the active VPN, but given how quickly streaming services block VPN connections, this could change in the future.
Parental Controls and Accessibility
Because there is essentially no barrier to entry, it is especially difficult for parents to monitor free programs. Any child with access to the internet can watch whatever they want without having to pay for it or create an account. However, The Roku Channel offers ratings for all of its series and movies, and if you have an account, you may set a PIN to limit access to mature content.
You can toggle on or off English subtitles for accessibility. You can also change the text color, font size, and window opacity when viewing subtitles.
Advantage
Live TV with free original shows
Optional premium channels
The app can also be used as a TV remote.
Disadvantage
There is no ad-free option available.
The library has a haphazard feel to it.
There are no downloads available for offline use.
Video quality is difficult to manage.
Conclusion
If you already own a Roku device, you should check out The Roku Channel. After all, it’s completely free. A great sitcom from your childhood, an old popular movie you never saw in theatres, breaking news, or a secret original gem saved from Quibi may all be found there.
Editors’ Choice selection Peacock, on the other hand, is a more enticing free service that allows you to upgrade to a superior paid subscription. Hulu and Netflix are also Editors’ Choice options for mainstream streaming audiences if you’re ready to pay upfront.
