No matter which Roku device you have, you can easily use it to satisfy your binge-watching needs. But while there are thousands of different channels to wade through, the best ones—like Hulu, Sling TV, and HBO—tack on a monthly fee. With plenty of free options available, though, you don't have to plunk down your hard-earned cash to get great entertainment.
However, with so many choices, how do you know what's worth your time? You can search for specific names of free channels, or use the Featured Free section on the home screen, but that's a chore. We've done the work for you by sorting through the many options to pick the 10 best free channels.
Newsy
Newsy is a helpful source for staying abreast of the latest news. The channel offers newscasts highlighting the latest stories. Newsy starts you off with the top stories, and you can then browse for news among different categories, such as World, US, Politics, Business, Tech, Entertainment, Science/Health, and Sports. The main segments are brief but with enough detail to keep you informed on what’s happening. You’ll also find longer special features that focus on a specific person or topic.
The Roku Channel
You can always start with the Roku Channel itself, which is available not just to Roku owners but to anyone who signs up for a free account. Access the Roku channel from your device or from the Roku website via your computer or mobile device. Its Live TV Channel Guide is now available on the Roku home screen, and Roku just released a standalone Roku Channel mobile app for when you're on the go.
No matter how you connect, the Roku Channel serves up films like , , , and . It digs up TV shows of the past with episodes of , , , , and (1966). You’ll also discover news broadcasts, stand-up specials, and documentaries to keep you informed and entertained.
TED
TED offers thousands of talks and demonstrations from expert speakers on a variety of topics. Watch any of the many trending videos or venture into such categories as Courageous, Inspiring, Funny, Persuasive, or Jaw-Dropping.
You can also search by speaker name, topic, or other criteria. Learn about business, finance, politics, technology, science, medicine, art, culture, sex, and more with such talks as “How to bring compassion into everyday life,” “What would happen if you didn’t sleep?,” “Why people fall for misinformation,” and “When is a pandemic over?”
NewsON
Want more in-depth news coverage from across the US? NewsON is a great way to keep up with the news in your area or any of the 50 states. This channel tunes you into live and recent local newscasts from around the country. By default, the app starts you off with broadcasts in and around your area. You can catch a live feed or check out previous broadcasts from the past few hours or even late yesterday. From there, you can expand your coverage by picking a specific state to focus on local breaking news and other stories.
Vevo
Looking for a place to watch music videos from your favorite artists? You’ll find them on Vevo. This free channel connects you to a wide variety of videos from singers, bands, and performers. The home screen offers recommended and trending videos, as well as new releases. Music is sorted by genre, including pop, rock, country, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, blues, and classical. You can also search for videos by artist.
Vevo even goes beyond just the latest, hottest artists. One clever and creative video I discovered spotlights Tony Bennett singing a duet of “God Bless the Child” with clips of the great Billie Holiday. Beyond music videos, Vevo serves up interviews and behind-the-scenes features of many artists.
Popcornflix
When you want to catch an offbeat film or TV episode, check out Popcornflix. This channel is home to a range of movies and TV shows, some of which are gems and others…not so much. Popcornflix bills itself as offering blockbusters, award-winning cinema, cult classics, independent films, and binge-worthy shows. And that’s an accurate description.
Yes, you’ll find such stinkers as , , and , but you’ll also discover classics like , Charlie Chaplin’s , and , as well as more modern movies like , , and . To spice up the offerings, Popcornflix taps into old TV shows, foreign films, documentaries, and stand-up comedy specials.
Cooking Guide TV
Looking to spice up your life in the kitchen? Cooking Guide TV is an appetizing channel for foodies, with its cool menu of shows featuring cooking demos, recipes, and advice from chefs that you can incorporate at home. covers a range of topics from breakfast cereal to intermittent fasting. offers tips and tricks on following a Keto diet. serves up recipes for breakfast and lunch. And features profiles and meals from firefighters in and around New York City.
Dr. Sonjia's Sex in South Beach
Okay, now it’s time to learn more about sex. Dr. Sonjia's Sex in South Beach shines a revealing light on this perfectly natural but often uncomfortable subject. Designed for “mature audiences,” this channel attempts to break down the barriers so people can enjoy a happier, healthier sex life. Each episode covers a specific topic by offering information and advice through discussions and interviews. You can watch Dr. Sonjia’s latest show or search for past episodes like “Erectile Dysfunction No More,” “Sex with Disabilities,” and “Booty After Baby.”
Tubi
Here’s another free Roku channel with movies and TV shows you probably wouldn’t find on Netflix or Amazon. Tune into Tubi and browse through the large collection of unique and unusual titles. You’ll discover a range of films across different genres, including comedy, action, horror, romance, and sci-fi.There’s even a category devoted to movies that are not on Netflix. Lay back on the couch for an evening of , and Watch your favorite TV shows like , , , and . Tubi rounds out its lineup with comedy specials, documentaries, and programs for preschoolers.
Pluto TV
Who needs regular TV when you’ve got Pluto TV? This free Roku channel works just like your standard cable TV subscription. Start by browsing the live TV offerings. Pluto TV offers news stations such as CBS and NBC, sports highlights, comedy specials, documentaries, tech items from CNET and Geek & Sundry, classic TV programs like and , music and radio stations, and select motion pictures. No, you won’t find the latest and greatest movies and TV shows, but you’ll discover plenty of past and current selections worth watching.