Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-Second Test: See What You Already Have
- 02Method 1: Check the Free Apps Already Sitting on Your Roku
- 03Method 2: Add Free Network Apps for Select Local Shows
- 04Method 3: Connect an Antenna Tuner for the Full Local Lineup
- 05Method 4: Use a Free Trial of a Live TV Streaming Service
- 06Comparison: Which Free Method Actually Gets You Local Channels?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08How can I watch local channels on Roku without an antenna?
- 09Is there a way to get local channels on Roku for free?
- 10Does Roku have a local channels app?
- 11Can I watch ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox on Roku for free?
- 12Do I need an antenna for local channels on Roku?
- 13What is the cheapest way to get local channels on Roku?
- 14Related Guides
We spend a lot of time at HiRemote staring at Roku home screens. HiRemote is a free remote app built for Hisense Roku TVs, including the R6, R7, and R8 series. Those TVs run the same Roku OS as every other Roku device. That means the free channel options below work the same on a Hisense Roku TV or other Roku device. The honest answer is that 'free' and 'full local lineup' rarely overlap, and this guide shows exactly where that line sits.
The 30-Second Test: See What You Already Have
Before you install anything, check what's already on your Roku. Open your existing free streaming apps — The Roku Channel, PBS, and any news app you already have. Look inside each one for a live TV or local news section. Many Roku owners already have partial local access and don't know it.
If none of your current apps show live local content, move on to the methods below. If one of them already works, you just saved yourself the rest of this guide.
One more thing before you start testing apps: you need a working remote to navigate menus and log into accounts. If you're on a Hisense Roku TV and the remote is missing or acting up, you don't need it for this. The free HiRemote app pairs with your TV in under 30 seconds over Wi-Fi. Grab it on the App Store and test every method below from your phone.
Method 1: Check the Free Apps Already Sitting on Your Roku
The fastest free option costs nothing to try. Install a few apps from the Roku channel store and see what they already offer.
PBS streams its full program lineup for free. There's no login and no antenna needed, but it's PBS content only, not your local network affiliate.
The Roku Channel bundles free, ad-supported live TV. It includes a local news section in many markets. Local news aggregator apps work the same way — free, ad-supported, no account required.
None of these give you a live ABC, NBC, CBS, or Fox feed on your market's full schedule. For that, move on to Method 2 or Method 3.
Our breakdown of whether Roku has local channels at all goes deeper into why Roku treats broadcast TV differently from cable.
Method 2: Add Free Network Apps for Select Local Shows
ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox all have free apps on Roku. Some shows and local news clips stream free inside them, with no cable login.
Full live simulcasts of your local affiliate usually sit behind a different screen in the same apps. That screen asks for a TV-provider login tied to an existing cable, satellite, or live-TV subscription. It isn't a separate free unlock.
Coverage varies by market and by network. Check each app directly instead of assuming your local affiliate is included.
Method 3: Connect an Antenna Tuner for the Full Local Lineup
An antenna is still the only free way to get every local channel your market broadcasts, live, all day. The FCC's DTV reception maps tool shows which stations should reach your address before you buy anything.
An antenna by itself doesn't show up inside Roku's interface. You need a tuner box, such as an HDHomeRun or Tablo unit, between the antenna and your Roku. The tuner sends the signal to an app, and the channels show up there like any other streaming channel.
This is a one-time hardware cost with no ongoing subscription. It's the closest thing to the old cable-box local channel experience. If you already own an antenna, our guide to watching antenna channels on a Roku TV covers the connection steps.
Setting up a tuner app means plenty of channel-scanning and menu diving. If you're doing this on a Hisense Roku TV, you don't need to dig out the remote for every step. The free browser-based remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote controls the TV from any laptop on the same Wi-Fi. No app install, no account needed.
Method 4: Use a Free Trial of a Live TV Streaming Service
Live TV streaming services carry local affiliate feeds in most markets. Most offer a free trial before billing starts, which gets you the full local lineup instantly, with no antenna and no hardware.
It's free only for the trial window. Cancel before it ends, or the subscription keeps billing at its regular rate. Pricing varies by provider and changes over time, so check the provider's own site before you sign up.
Treat this as a short-term bridge, not a long-term free option. If you want to avoid an ongoing bill, Methods 1 through 3 are the ones that stay free.
Comparison: Which Free Method Actually Gets You Local Channels?
| Method | Ongoing Cost | Needs Antenna | Full Local Lineup | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps (PBS, Roku Channel, news apps) | Free | No | No — news and select shows only | Quick local news, no setup |
| Network apps (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) | Free for select content | No | Partial, varies by market | Specific shows, not full lineup |
| Antenna + tuner box | Free after hardware purchase | Yes | Yes — full broadcast lineup | Cord-cutters who want it all, permanently |
| Live TV streaming trial | Free during trial only | No | Yes — during the trial | Short-term need, one-time events |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch local channels on Roku without an antenna?
You can't get the full local broadcast lineup on Roku without either an antenna-fed tuner or a paid live TV subscription. Free apps like PBS, The Roku Channel, and local news aggregators cover local news and some shows without an antenna. They don't replace a full channel lineup, though.
Is there a way to get local channels on Roku for free?
Yes, partially. Free apps on Roku cover local news and some network shows at no cost. For every local channel your market broadcasts, you still need an antenna paired with a tuner box — a one-time hardware cost rather than a subscription.
Does Roku have a local channels app?
Roku doesn't have one single app that carries every local channel. Instead, local content is spread across PBS, The Roku Channel's news section, and local news aggregator apps. Individual network apps for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox add a few more pieces.
Can I watch ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox on Roku for free?
You can watch some content inside each network's free app, including select shows and local news clips. Full live local simulcasts inside those same apps usually require a cable, satellite, or live-TV streaming login — they aren't unlocked by installing the app alone.
Do I need an antenna for local channels on Roku?
You need an antenna only if you want the complete, free, live local lineup. If local news or a handful of shows are enough, free apps cover that without any antenna or hardware.
What is the cheapest way to get local channels on Roku?
An antenna paired with a tuner box like HDHomeRun or Tablo is the cheapest long-term option. It's a one-time hardware cost with no ongoing bill. Free apps cost nothing but only cover partial local content, not the full lineup.
