If you have a Roku streaming device, you’re well-blessed with the number of available channels. Not only is the Roku Channel Store overflowing with options, but you can also install private channels for additional content.
Note that Roku is much stricter with allowing grey market content than Android TV and Amazon Fire Sticks, even in its private channels.
Here’s our list of free Roku free channels for 2020.
1. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is now a well-established name in the cord cutting world. It broadcasts more than 100 TV channels across topics as diverse as news, entertainment, sport, and music. There’s also a healthy dose of kids’ content.
Read our guide to IPTV if you want to learn more about the topic.
2. Tubi
Tubi is a legal app for watching movies on demand. The app is ad-supported, but you don’t need to make an account to view the content. It has everything from UK series to foreign-language horror.
3. The Roku Channel
Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel has quickly become one of the top Roku channels. Thanks to partnerships with MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures, and more, it offers a surprisingly impressive selection of free movies and TV shows. Like Tubi, the app is ad-supported.
4. Crackle
Crackle, owned by Sony, can be a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to the quality of content. There’s a lot of older material and B-movies that you probably wouldn’t want to watch, but it’s worth keeping around for the occasions when Sony makes some of its better content available.
You might need to use a VPN to unblock the site it is geo-blocked in your area.
5. YouTube
Obviously. YouTube has a huge collection of free TV shows and movies you can watch for free. It can even act as a direct download site for movies if you use a video downloader app.
6. PBS
PBS has a reputation for producing high-quality free content. Thankfully, a big chunk of the network’s catalog is available to stream for free through the Roku Channel. You’ll find everything from drama to documentaries.
7. PBS Kids
PBS Kids has a decent selection of children’s shows available for free. It’s an excellent complement to a paid service, but there’s not enough content for the channel to be the sole video app for your children.
8. TuneIn Radio
With more than 100,000 live radio channels from around the world, as well as an on-demand library of more than four million old shows for subscribers, TuneIn Radio is the best Roku app for anyone who wants some background listening. You can listen to the live stations without creating an account.
9. Comet TV
Comet TV is aimed at sci-fi fans. It predominantly serves up classic movies, with little fresh content making its way onto the platform. Nonetheless, if you’re a fan of the genre, it’s definitely a Roku channel you need to install.
The app is also available as one of the best Kodi addons for live TV.
10. Haystack TV
Haystack TV is one of the best Roku channels for anyone who wants personalized news. You can set your topics of interest and preferred sources when you make an account, and the app will slowly learn more about your preferences over time. Haystack sources videos from many top news networks, including BBC, CNN, FOX News, Bloomberg, and more.
11. Sky News
If you’d prefer a regular 24-hour news experience, grab the Sky News app. You’ll get access to the live global feed of the UK-based channel, as well as plenty of clips and highlights you can watch on-demand.
12. Plex
Plex is the best Roku channel for managing your locally-saved video collection. You can create separate libraries for movies and TV, pull in metadata and artwork, and stream your content on all your computers and mobile devices.
Indeed, Plex is one of the best Kodi alternatives, though it has a slightly different feature set.
13. Nosey
Are you a daytime TV addict? Nosey’s video library is full of shows like Jerry Springer, Paternity Court, and Cheaters.
14. FilmRise
FilmRise is another home of B-movies and classic movies. There are more than 10,000 titles in its collection, and it doesn’t cost a dime to access.
15. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the leading free Roku Channel for anime fans. The free tier lets you watch videos in standard definition and with ads. Subscribers can remove the ads and watch in HD.
Watch More Free Content
Roku devices can play a part in any cordcutter’s setup, but they are not essential. To learn about some of the other streaming options available to you, check out our guide to the best streaming services and the best IPTV services.
