Film buffs, sports fanatics, and families will all find plenty to rave about when it comes to Roku’s channels. That said, there are so many to choose from that picking the channels that best suit you and your viewing habits can be a challenge.
With this in mind, we’ve handpicked the best Roku channels for every type of entertainment.
Some channels are only available in specific countries and others limit the content you can access if you travel abroad. With CyberGhost VPN, you can digitally relocate back to your home country and get secure, uninterrupted access to your Roku channels from anywhere.
The 15 Best Channels on Roku
Browse our list of the best Roku channels for TV shows, movies, sports, and news to find the channels that will keep you and your family entertained for hours.
1. Max
Max tops the streaming charts because of the quality and quantity of content it hosts. Viewers in the US, as well as select countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, can sign up to watch everything from award-winning HBO dramas to blockbuster movies. If you’re in the US, you can also add the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On to your subscription to get access to more than 300 live sports events per year.
2. The Roku Channel
We’d be remiss to write an article about Roku channels and not mention Roku’s own free streaming service. The Roku Channel is available in the US, UK, and Canada, and features a variety of ad-supported TV shows, movies, and live sports. The on-demand content is frequently rotated, so don’t wait too long to stream the titles on your watch list. Despite this, it’s one of the best free channels on Roku.
3. Disney+
When you’re looking for a Roku channel to entertain the whole family, Disney+ is the app to choose. You’ll need a subscription to watch, but it’s reasonably priced and gives you access to Disney’s massive content catalog. You’ll be able to watch Pixar animations, the Star Wars series, and Marvel Cinematic Universe favorites, along with Disney original movies and series.
4. Nowhere TV
One of the oldest and best Roku private channels, Nowhere TV is a hidden app that offers US viewers a variety of free movies, TV shows, and sports events on networks like ABC, NBC, BBC, and HBO. To access the channel, log in to your Roku account via the Roku website, navigate to My Account, and select Add beta app with a code under Streaming Store. Then simply enter the code H9DWC and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. Netflix
Netflix offers viewers all over the world access to thousands of hours of critically acclaimed TV shows and movies, including Netflix Originals and content from big-name production houses. It’s generally well priced, but it doesn’t offer a free trial. The content you have access to will vary depending on the country you log in from.
6. Crackle
Crackle’s selection of big-budget flicks puts it at the top of our list of the best free movie channels on Roku. There are a few drawbacks, though. First off, it’s only available in the US. Secondly, all of the movies and series on the platform are ad-supported, and there’s no way to skip these interruptions when you’re watching. But all streaming platforms need to generate revenue in some way and it’s worth sitting through a few ads to access the movies and shows on Crackle.
7. Starz
Starz is often packaged as an add-on for Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other services, but you can subscribe to it as a standalone service on Roku. It’s a great channel for US viewers who want to watch Universal Pictures films (think Jurassic Park, Fast & Furious, and Oppenheimer) right after they’re released.
8. Hulu + Live TV
Without a doubt, Hulu + Live TV is the best Roku live TV add-on. It gives US viewers access to Hulu’s extensive on-demand library along with nearly 100 live TV channels. The live TV inclusion makes it pricier than many of the on-demand subscription services. That said, it comes with Disney+ and ESPN+, which means you’ll be able to keep every member of your family entertained for hours.
9. ESPN+
We have to mention ESPN+ when talking about the best sports channels on Roku. ESPN+ gives US sports fans access to a wide variety of live sports content, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB, as well as soccer, tennis, and golf tournaments. You can subscribe monthly or sign up for a year at a lower overall cost. There’s also the option to bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu to get extra value for money.
10. CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a sports broadcasting network that gives Roku viewers in the US access to every game in the NFL, UEFA Champions League, college football and basketball leagues, plus loads of other tournaments. You’ll need a Paramount+ or cable TV subscription to access CBS Sports via Roku. To try it out for free, you can take advantage of Paramount’s 7-day trial period.
11. FitOn
FitOn is one of the best free workout channels on Roku. The app features cardio, strength training, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, and other workout classes. You can also access personalized fitness plans – yes, the team at FitOn will build a program just for you, for free – and exclusive sessions led by celebrities, including Jonathan Van Ness, Gabrielle Union, and Julianne Hough.
12. Glo
Glo is another one of the best Roku fitness channels. It’s a paid mindfulness channel that offers tons of yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes, all organized by mood, practice styles, body parts, time available, and skill level. You’ll also get access to a few live classes each day (although these are scheduled around US time zones) if you want to feel part of a group session.
13. Sky News
Anyone who wants to be in the know about global goings-on will be thrilled at the opportunity to add Sky News to their Roku channel selection. Based in the UK, Sky News is the best Roku news channel for catching up on international affairs. This free service is available worldwide and gives you access to 24/7 live reports along with on-demand news highlights.
14. Scripps News
Scripps News – formerly Newsy – brings you international news coverage without the fluff. It’s another top Roku news channel, focused on providing viewers with fact-based reporting in short, easy-to-digest videos. The platform gives US viewers access to round-the-clock, ad-supported news programming in a variety of categories, including US and world news, business news, politics, entertainment, and sports.
15. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the best place to watch anime. The platform offers a variety of subbed and dubbed anime series that you can watch right after they’re released in Japan, which earns it a top spot on our list of the best free channels on Roku. Older, ad-supported anime episodes are available to stream for free, but you’ll need to sign up for a subscription if you want to access the latest content and skip the commercials.
Why You Need a VPN for Streaming
Most streaming services are only available in certain countries, and others have different content libraries in different countries.
This is a big problem if you want to take your Roku player with you when traveling abroad – unless you use a VPN. This handy little piece of tech can mask your IP address to make it appear as though you never left home. (As a bonus, a VPN also helps you bypass blocks on networks that restrict streaming.)
With CyberGhost VPN, you get access to a massive network of VPN servers across the globe that give you super-fast connection speeds. We also have streaming-optimized servers for popular platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, and Max, so you can enjoy secure, error-free access to your streaming accounts.
CyberGhost VPN is easy to use, even if you don’t have any experience with VPNs. Plus, our customer support team is on hand to answer any of your VPN related-questions 24/7 via live chat and email.
How to Use a VPN with Roku
If you’ve installed Roku on your computer, using it with a VPN is as simple as installing one of CyberGhost’s native VPN apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Roku devices themselves aren’t compatible with VPN apps, but there’s an easy workaround. You can share your VPN connection from your computer to your Roku or set up CyberGhost VPN on a compatible router to stream with a VPN. Here’s how:
Share Your VPN Connection from Your Computer
- Download CyberGhost VPN and connect to your preferred server.
- Navigate to your computer’s settings and find your internet sharing options.
- Turn on internet sharing, ensuring that you allow other devices to connect to your computer.
- Go to your Roku device, navigate to Settings and then to Network.
- Select Set up connection followed by Wireless.
- Choose the network you set up on your computer earlier.
- Follow the on-screen prompts (e.g. entering a password) to complete the setup.
Set Up CyberGhost VPN on Your Router
- Get CyberGhost VPN.
- Log in to your account and navigate to the Download Hub.
- Scroll down to find ‘Routers or other devices’ and click Configure.
- Select your desired VPN protocol, server country, and server group, then click Save Configuration.
- Open your router’s configuration panel, locate where to add a VPN client to your router and begin the setup process.
- When prompted to import the .ovpn file, upload the configuration file you saved in step 4.
- Follow the instructions on screen to finalize the setup.
FAQ
Netflix, Hulu + Live TV, and Disney+ are some of the best streaming services on Roku for premium content. For free content, Crackle has a good selection of big-budget movies and the Roku Channel offers live TV channels along with on-demand content.
Yes, Roku has private or “secret” channels. Some popular private channels include Nowhere TV and FilmOn TV. These unofficial channels aren’t listed in the Roku Channel Store. You can add them by entering a code via the My Account portal on Roku’s website. You’ll need to do this on a computer.
There’s loads of good content to watch on Roku right now. Some trending shows include The Bear and Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, Nobody Wants This on Netflix, and The Penguin on Max.
Roku After Dark is the nickname given to a selection of adult-oriented content that’s available on certain Roku channels, which usually streams after 9 p.m. EST. It typically includes mature movies or shows with higher content ratings.
Hulu isn’t free on Roku or any other streaming device. You need a Hulu subscription to access content through the Hulu app on Roku. Hulu offers various subscription plans, including a budget-friendly ad-supported plan, a premium ad-free option, and Hulu + Live TV, which provides access to live TV channels.
Roku does allow adult channels, but it has tightened restrictions on adult content and limited the availability of many private channels over time. Adult channels are generally private or “secret” channels, so you have to add them to your account using a specific code.
Roku has a number of secret menus that give you access to advanced system information and settings. These include options for checking your Wi-Fi signal strength and adjusting bit rates (i.e. how much data you can send and receive). You can access these menus by pressing the buttons on your remote in specific sequences.
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