Beyond Netflix and Hulu, these Roku channels are worth checking out
Roku, Inc.
The Roku Channel Store’s vast selection of apps makes it easy to watch just about anything online.
Below is a curated list of lesser-known Roku channels to check out.
Roku, Inc.
A Free Netflix-like Channel: Tubi
Mix of new releases and older films.
Some content is region restricted.
Two great categories areNot on NetflixandHighly Rated on Rotten Tomatoes.
Pluto TV Menu–Roku Channel Version.
Learn Something New: TED
Perfect for short attention spans.
Sort by speaker and topic.
Talks vary in quality.
Topics aren’t explored in great depth.
If you haven’t taken the time to watchTED, you are missing out!
TED stands forTechnology,Entertainment, andDesign, and its premise is “Ideas worth spreading.”
Installation is free via the channel store.
Turn Your TV Into an Art Gallery: Artcast
Displays priceless art in your home for free.
Parts of paintings are cut off by the screen.
Pluto TV Menu–Roku Channel Version.
No way to add your own photos or art.
Put a little more art in your life with Artcast.
This Roku Channel is both a screensaver and an art gallery.
Artcast galleries are auto-looped, so once started, you don’t have to return later and restart playback.
However, if using Artcast Lite, ads are displayed before the galleries play.
Each photo or painting is displayed for 60 seconds.
Classic reruns of older television shows.
No way to rewind live TV.
On-demand content is rotated too frequently.
Pluto TVprovides free news, sports, TV shows, music, and movies.
There is even a 4K channel (provided you have a compatible Roku gear and TV).
However, the on-demand movie offerings start when selected.
Since the selections and movies are free, most of them feature ads.
The Best Cult Movies and Shows: Shout!
TV
Free with no ads.
HD remasters of classic shows.
Content is rotated too frequently.
Only one or two seasons of a TV series are available at once.
If you are a fan of cult-status B-movies and old TV shows, Shout!
TV is a free ad-supported channel you could add via the Roku Channel Store.
Watch classic episodes ofMS3TK (Mystery Science Theater 3000)and films from the legendary work of Roger Corman.
Live Sports from Stadium (free).
Free Movies and TV Shows.
Free content has Ads.
Free movies and TV shows are not the most current.
Roku offers its own channel in addition to the thousands of others available through the store.
Both free and paid content are provided.
Edge-of-Your-Seat Thrills and Horror: Shudder
Impressive selection of foreign horror films.
Consistent HD quality streaming.
Some content is not available in all regions.
Some great podcasts explore film-related topics, such asInside the Exorcist.
Shudder’s collectionsinclude Thrill Me, Tales of the Supernatural, Borderlands, and others.
The Best in Anime: Crunchyroll
Staggering selection of popular and obscure Japanese animated shows.
Doesn’t recommend content based on your viewing history.
Few full-length movies to watch.
If you are an anime fan, you should check outCrunchyroll, which can be downloaded for free.
Once installed, you could watch their basic service free or go for one of the premium plans.
If you are unsure which viewing option is right for you, take advantage of the free trial.
The free, ad-support, limited-access option might be acceptable if you are only an occasional viewer.
Current Events Without the Hype: Scripps News
Curates news based on user preferences.
Videos are too short to explore topics in detail.
No syndicated or local content.
Are you tired of cable news channels that are more opinion and gossip than actual news?
If so, add Scripps News (formerly Newsy) to the Roku Channel list.
Scripps News is free to install and watch no subscription or pay-per-view fee.
However, there are occasional ads.
Indoor and Outdoor Gardening Tips: Garden TV
Comprehensive tutorials.
Full episodes of “Garden Home.”
Lots of overlap across different topic categories.
Do you spend all day watching streaming videos in front of your gear or TV?
Take a break and pick up an outdoor habit like gardening.
Check out Garden TV in the Roku Channel Store before you kick off.
The Garden TV Channel is free, but an ad is shown before each video.
Informative No-nonsense Weather Reports: WeatherNation
View weather for multiple locations simultaneously.
Are you a weather junkie?
If so, check outWeatherNationon your Roku.
Additional weather news stories give you more context and understanding of what is happening and why.
Hosted weather reports are presented by certified meteorologists no comedy hosts here!
WeatherNation is free from the Channel Store but does feature ads.
The Excitement of Science and Nature: Curiosity Stream
Video tags streamline searches.
Great resource for teachers and students.
Watching streams in 4K costs extra.
No content from Bill Nye or Neil deGrasse Tyson.
You may think that Curiosity Stream isn’t that different from the National Geographic or Discovery Channel.
Extreme Sports and Adventure: Red Bull TV
International and domestic sports coverage.
Cheaper than similar sports channels and apps.
Streaming content restarts when interrupted.
The Best of British TV: Acorn TV
Great bargain for half the price of Netflix.
Keeps track of what you watch.
Mostly features older movies and TV shows.
Certain content is restricted outside the U.S.
Are you a fan of British TV shows?
If so, then Acorn TV may be for you.
you’re able to install Acorn TV free via the Channel Store.
However, after a free 7-day trial period, the subscription fee is $7.99 monthly (commercial-free).
