What Are the Best Roku Channels in 2026?

Method 1: Browse the channel store by category

Every Roku-powered TV has a built-in store for adding channels. It's sorted into categories like movies, live TV, and free streaming. Start there if you're not sure what you want yet. Scrolling by category surfaces channels you wouldn't think to search for by name.

The table above is a starting point, not the full catalog. For the current, complete list, check Roku's own channel store listing directly, since it changes constantly. The channels above are well-established services, not obscure one-off apps.

Method 2: Search for a channel by name

If you already know what you want, searching beats browsing. Open the search tool on your Roku home screen and type the channel's name. This works for almost anything, including niche channels that never show up in a category list.

Typing on an on-screen keyboard with a D-pad is slow, letter by letter. This is where a phone-based remote helps most. You get a real keyboard instead of pecking out letters one at a time.

For the full walkthrough on installing and updating channels, see How to Download Apps on Roku TV.

Method 3: Separate what's actually free from what just looks free

Not every channel labeled free means the same thing. Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel's free tier are genuinely free: ad-supported, no credit card, no trial clock. Other channels call themselves free but only unlock a short preview before asking for a paid plan.

Read a channel's own description in the store before adding it. If the listing doesn't clearly say free or ad-supported, assume it needs a subscription. Check pricing inside the app itself, since plans and prices change.

Looking specifically for local news or your local network affiliate? That's a narrower question with its own answer. See Does Roku Have Local Channels? for the full breakdown.

Method 4: Control playback and typing with your phone, not just the TV remote

Once your channels are installed, day-to-day use is mostly typing and navigating menus. You're searching for a show, signing into an account, or switching between apps. A phone works better than a D-pad for all three.

On a Hisense Roku TV specifically, the HiRemote app adds direct launch shortcuts for channels. That includes Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+. It also brings a full keyboard for typing logins instead of an on-screen one.

It connects over your home Wi-Fi, the same network your TV already uses. Pairing takes about 30 seconds, and there's no account to create.

It won't do everything the original remote does. For everyday browsing and typing, though, it covers the parts that actually slow people down. If your remote has stopped responding altogether, see How to Reset a Roku Remote (Every Type) before you reach for your phone as a full-time replacement. For the full rundown on pairing, fixing, and replacing the physical remote itself, see Roku TV Remote: How to Pair, Fix, or Use Your Phone Instead.

Don't want to install an app at all? The browser-based option at hisense-roku-tv-remote covers the basics: power, volume, navigation. It works on any Roku-powered TV, Hisense or otherwise, straight from a browser.

Trying to send video from your phone to the screen instead of just controlling the TV? That's casting, not remote control—see our guide on Google Cast to Roku for what actually works.

Need to change a TV-level setting instead of adding a channel — picture, privacy, or network? See our guide to Roku TV settings for where each menu lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free Roku channel?

There's no single best free channel — it depends on what you want to watch. For live TV and news-style programming, The Roku Channel and Pluto TV are the most established free options. For free movies and full TV seasons, Tubi and Freevee cover the most ground without needing a subscription.

Does Roku have a channel for local news?

Not in the way a cable box does, but several free channels bundle local-style news and weather feeds. Coverage depends on your market and changes over time, so results vary by location. For the full breakdown, see Does Roku Have Local Channels?

How do I add a channel on Roku?

Open the channel store from your Roku home screen. Search for the channel you want, or browse to it, then select it to add. It installs automatically and appears as a new tile on your home screen within a few minutes. No Roku account changes or restarts are normally required.

How many channels can I add to Roku?

Roku doesn't publish a hard cap for most models. Very large home screens can still slow down scrolling and search. If your screen feels cluttered, remove channels you don't use instead of leaving everything installed. Deleting a channel doesn't delete your account or history inside that channel's own app.

Is there a free movie channel on Roku?

Yes — Tubi, Freevee, and Crackle are free, ad-supported channels with large on-demand movie libraries and no subscription required. The Roku Channel also mixes free movies into its live TV guide. Account requirements vary by channel, so check each one's sign-up screen if asked.

Can I use my phone as a Roku remote to search for channels?

Yes, on Hisense Roku TVs specifically. The HiRemote app replaces the physical remote and adds a full keyboard for search and sign-in. For other Roku-powered brands, a free browser-based remote at hisense-roku-tv-remote covers navigation and search without installing anything. Both connect over your home Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth.

If a channel won't install or shows an error, check Roku's own support site. It's the most reliable place for current status.

Related Guides

• How to Download Apps on Roku TV
• Does Roku Have Local Channels?
• How to Use the Roku Remote App on Your Phone (2026)
• Best Hisense TV Remote App for iPhone: 6 Apps Compared (2026)
• How to Turn Off Backdrops on Your Roku TV
• How to Pair a Roku Remote: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Google Cast to Roku (What Works, What Doesn't)
• How to Reset a Roku Remote (Every Type)
• Roku TV Remote: How to Pair, Fix, or Use Your Phone Instead