Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-Second Test
- 02Method 1: Connect an Antenna to a Roku TV With a Built-In Tuner
- 03Method 2: Watch Local News Through Free Roku Apps
- 04Method 3: Sign In to a Local Network App With a TV Provider Account
- 05Method 4: Add an Antenna Even If Your Roku Player Has No Tuner
- 06Roku Local Channel Methods Compared
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Does Roku have local channels for free?
- 09Do all Roku TVs have a built-in antenna tuner?
- 10How do I get local channels on Roku without cable?
- 11Why won't my Roku TV find local channels?
- 12Does the Roku Channel have local news?
- 13Can I use a Roku Streaming Stick to get local channels?
- 14Related Guides
I run a Hisense R6 series Roku TV in my bedroom. The first time I connected a small indoor antenna, a Live TV tile showed up right on the home screen. How many local channels I actually pull in depends on my distance from the broadcast towers and what's blocking the signal. That's normal for over-the-air TV, not a Roku quirk. On a separate Roku Streaming Stick in my kitchen, there's no antenna option at all, because the stick itself has no built-in tuner.
The 30-Second Test
Grab your Roku remote and press Home before you try anything else. Look at the tiles on your screen.
- See a tile labeled Live TV or Antenna TV? Your Roku device has a built-in tuner — skip to Method 1.
- Only see streaming app tiles like Netflix and YouTube? Your Roku player has no tuner — skip to Method 2.
Don't have your Roku remote handy while you test this? Download the free HiRemote app to control a Hisense Roku TV from your iPhone in about 30 seconds over Wi-Fi. Prefer not to download anything? Use the free browser-based remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote instead.
Method 1: Connect an Antenna to a Roku TV With a Built-In Tuner
This works if you own a Roku TV — a television with Roku's software built in, made by brands like Hisense, TCL, and onn. It doesn't work on standalone Roku players like the Express or Ultra, since those have no antenna input at all.
- Plug a coax cable from an indoor or outdoor antenna into the ANT input on the back of the TV.
- Press Home on your remote and look for a tile labeled Live TV or Antenna TV.
- Open that tile and run a channel scan — this can take a few minutes.
- Once the scan finishes, your local channels appear in a normal channel guide, just like cable.
Roku occasionally renames this menu with software updates, so the exact wording can shift. If you don't see a Live TV option anywhere on your home screen, your TV likely doesn't have a built-in tuner. Check Roku's own Roku TV product listings for current models, or see our Roku TV remote guide for menu navigation help.
Reception depends on your distance from local broadcast towers and what's between you and them — hills, trees, and thick walls can all weaken the signal. An outdoor or attic-mounted antenna usually performs better than a small indoor one.
Method 2: Watch Local News Through Free Roku Apps
If your Roku device has no antenna tuner, you can still catch local news and live programming for free. The Roku Channel — Roku's own built-in app — carries free live news channels in many markets, alongside on-demand shows.
- Open The Roku Channel from your home screen.
- Look for a Live TV or News section inside the app.
- Browse the local and national news channels available in your area.
Other free apps like Pluto TV offer similar live news and general-interest channels. Coverage varies by location, so what you see may differ from a friend's lineup in another city. This route won't replace a full local channel guide, but it's a fast, free way to catch headlines and weather without any hardware.
Method 3: Sign In to a Local Network App With a TV Provider Account
Apps from ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX typically require you to sign in with a participating cable or satellite provider account to unlock a live stream of your local affiliate — sometimes called TV Everywhere.
- Install your local network's app from the Roku Channel Store.
- Open the app and choose to sign in with a TV provider.
- Select your cable or satellite company and log in with that account.
Without a provider login, these apps won't unlock the live local feed. If you've cut cable entirely, this method won't help — fall back to Method 1 or Method 2 instead.
Digging through Settings or a channel scan without your physical remote nearby gets old fast. The HiRemote app pairs with a Hisense Roku TV in about 30 seconds over Wi-Fi. You can run through these menus from your iPhone instead. It also works as a free browser remote if you're on a laptop and don't want to install anything.
Method 4: Add an Antenna Even If Your Roku Player Has No Tuner
Own a Roku Express, Streaming Stick, or Ultra plugged into an older TV? The Roku player itself still has no antenna input — but your TV might.
- Check if your TV has its own antenna or ANT input, separate from the Roku player's HDMI port.
- Connect an antenna to that input, then run the TV's own built-in channel scan.
- Use the TV's own remote or input button for the scan — the Roku remote won't control that menu.
- Switch inputs between your TV's tuner and the HDMI input where your Roku player is connected.
If your TV has no antenna input either — common on older monitors or very basic sets — a separate OTA converter box is your only option. Connect it to an antenna to add live local channels. This adds a device to manage, but it works with any TV.
Roku Local Channel Methods Compared
| Method | Needs an Antenna? | Works On | Live Local Channels? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method 1: Built-in tuner | Yes | Roku TVs only | Yes, full over-the-air lineup |
| Method 2: Free Roku apps | No | Any Roku device | Limited, depends on your market |
| Method 3: TV provider login | No | Any Roku device | Yes, with a participating provider account |
| Method 4: Separate antenna/tuner box | Yes | Any Roku player | Yes, full over-the-air lineup |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Roku have local channels for free?
Yes, if your Roku TV has a built-in antenna tuner. Connect an antenna, run a channel scan, and you get local channels for free with no subscription. If you're using a Roku streaming player with no tuner, you can still get some local news for free. Apps like The Roku Channel offer free live programming in many markets. Full local channel access, though, typically needs a TV provider login.
Do all Roku TVs have a built-in antenna tuner?
No, not every Roku TV model includes one. Some Roku TV models, from brands like Hisense, TCL, and onn, include a built-in ATSC tuner and antenna input, and some don't — check your specific model, or run the 30-second test above. Roku streaming players, like the Express, Streaming Stick, and Ultra, are add-on boxes only. They never include a tuner, since they're designed to plug into a TV you already own.
How do I get local channels on Roku without cable?
Connect an antenna to a Roku TV's antenna input, then run a channel scan under the Live TV or Antenna TV menu. It's completely free. If you don't have a Roku TV with a tuner, install free apps such as The Roku Channel or Pluto TV. These cover live local news and general programming. For full live local coverage, sign into your local network's app with a participating TV provider account.
Why won't my Roku TV find local channels?
The most common reason is a weak or disconnected antenna signal. Check that the coax cable is fully seated in the ANT input. Also make sure your antenna has a clear line of sight toward nearby broadcast towers. For general antenna placement tips, see the FCC's antenna reception guide. If a rescan still comes up empty, your area may simply be too far from a broadcast tower for reliable reception.
Does the Roku Channel have local news?
Yes, The Roku Channel includes free live news channels in many markets, alongside on-demand shows and movies. Coverage and specific stations vary by your location. What shows up in your live news section may differ from a friend's in another city. It doesn't replace a full local antenna lineup, but it's a solid free option if you just want headlines and weather.
Can I use a Roku Streaming Stick to get local channels?
Not through an antenna — the Streaming Stick has no tuner or antenna input, so it can't pull in over-the-air broadcasts on its own. You can still watch some local news through free apps like The Roku Channel. Full local channels are possible too, but only if the TV it's plugged into has its own separate antenna connection and tuner.
