What Free Channels Can You Watch on Roku? Full List of Roku Free Content

Ever wonder what you’re actually getting for free on Roku, besides the giant menu of apps that seem to come and go every month? Here’s the truth: Roku delivers a heap of completely free channels, but the best parts are tucked away behind titles you might not expect, and some treasures are basically hiding in plain sight. If you love the idea of watching TV without handing over your credit card every month, you’re not alone. According to Roku’s own 2025 stats, nearly 40% of hours streamed through their platform are from free channels – that’s a huge chunk of entertainment, no strings attached. But let’s separate the real, always-free stuff from trial teasers and those that want your cash the second you blink. I’ll break down the core lineup, expose the best-kept secrets, and even show you smart ways to dig up free extras you probably never knew about.

The Heart of Roku’s Free Channel Lineup

The list of free Roku channels can be a little overwhelming if you just scroll through the Channel Store, but some stand out as the anchors holding the whole free lineup together. Free Roku channels range from the official Roku Channel itself to a buffet of movie, TV, news, and niche streaming apps. Right out of the box, anyone with a Roku device can jump into a wild variety of free content in a few taps — no credit card, no hidden fees. So what gets you hooked?

Here are the biggest, most reliable free Roku channels in 2025 that you can start watching immediately after setup:

• The Roku Channel – An ever-growing collection of movies, shows, news, live channels, and even kid-friendly content. What sets it apart is a mix of older hits and original content that’s exclusive to Roku, like “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” They even added some sports replays this year.
• Plex – Touts thousands of free movies and TV episodes with everything from action to documentaries. Their catalog rotates monthly, but there’s always something new tucked in between.
• Tubi – Owned by Fox, Tubi is a fan favorite for overflowing amounts of free movies and binge-worthy series. Think classics, ‘90s nostalgia, and a surprising number of recent releases that major streamers ignore.
• Crackle – As one of the OG free streaming apps, Crackle’s selection seems curated for those who love offbeat, cult, and retro favorites. If you want something less mainstream, dig here.
• Pluto TV – Mashes together free live TV (think scrolling TV guide) plus on-demand streaming. Pluto carries themed channels for comedy, reality TV, mysteries, classic cartoons, and even 24/7 Baywatch, if that’s your guilty pleasure.
• NewsON – A one-stop live-streaming news channel connecting over 275 local news stations. If you want local headlines or live weather for a big storm, this is faster than searching on your phone.
• Stirr – Bundles together live, on-demand, and even some local programming. SBG’s Stirr features everything from sitcoms and court TV to city council meetings and regional sports clips. It’s a weird mix, but great for variety.
• Peacock (limited) – In 2025, Peacock still allows a chunk of content for free, including some NBC series, movies, sports replays, and original news clips. The “premium” stuff is locked, but there’s still plenty left to watch.
• CBS News – Watch live national and local CBS coverage, plus breaking news specials at zero cost.
• ABC News Live – Non-stop news streaming, mix of breaking news, weather, featured stories, and live coverage.

You can add any of these right through the Roku Channel Store – no hidden steps or sneaky signups. By the way, when Roku says something is free, they mean it: they get their money from ads, not your wallet. If you ever see a channel that asks for a credit card before showing “free,” skip it. That’s a classic red flag.

Digging Deeper: Genre-Specific Free Channels You Won’t Want to Miss

Beyond the big names, Roku is packed with niche free channels that deliver everything from anime and old-school sitcoms to live sports commentary and even quirky international shows. A lot of people get stuck in the “safe” options — the same three old channels they know. But there’s real gold if you’re willing to search a bit, especially if you’re tired of the streaming monotony.

• FilmRise – The go-to app for free legal streaming of true crime, classic TV, British dramas, and foreign titles. They have specialty channels for different genres, so you can dive into an entire channel just of sci-fi, mysteries, or even Gordon Ramsay reruns.
• Crunchyroll (free tier) – Loves anime? Crunchyroll’s free version still lets you watch a rotating library of popular series, with ads, though simulcasts are locked unless you shell out for premium.
• Xumo Play – Known for its live TV grid, Xumo has channels dedicated to game shows, nature documentaries, indie films, and even straight-up weather. They also have music video channels and a few surprise big-name movie titles lasting about a month at a time.
• Comet TV – Free sci-fi cult classics, space-themed movies, and science documentaries. Think late-night marathons of Stargate SG-1 or Mystery Science Theater 3000.
• Roku Kids & Family – This is a curated mix within The Roku Channel, with everything from cartoons to educational shows. Perfect for distracting kids without running into anything questionable.
• The Bob Ross Channel – No explanations needed. Just paint, happy clouds, and Bob Ross reruns on loop.
• Reuters TV – If you want world affairs and serious news coverage, this is your hometown.
• Sling Free – Basically a sampler platter of live streaming TV channels and some on-demand shows, no account needed. It’s a way to taste what you’d get if you paid for Sling, but there’s plenty to watch here for zero dollars.
• Red Bull TV – Adventure sports, music festivals, documentaries on urban culture, and extreme outdoor events. If you want to feel your adrenaline spike, this is made for you.

Even if you stick just to the free side of Roku, it’s almost impossible not to find something weird or intriguing to watch. Love British crime dramas? There’s a channel. Obscure Korean horror? There’s a channel. Niche sitcoms from the ‘70s? You’d be shocked how much you can stream. Want help finding these? Use Roku’s own voice search or organize your home screen: highlight the star icon to “add channel,” then just type in what excites you, like "true crime" or “nature documentaries.”

Here’s a quick look to show how widely the types of free channels on Roku break down by category in 2025:

Tip: Sometimes the best free channels come from lesser-known developers or even hobbyist creators. Every few months, check the “New & Trending” section in the Channel Store to see what’s fresh and free.

Tips, Hidden Gems, and Getting the Most From Free Roku Channels

So you know what’s out there, but want to turbo-charge your streaming? It turns out there are a handful of secret tricks, bonus channels, and new features that make Roku’s free content twice as valuable. If you’re aiming to stretch your entertainment dollar, here’s how to make Roku work even harder for you:

• Check for hidden or “private” channels: These are channels not listed in the regular Channel Store. Up until 2023, you could add them by code, but now Roku curates these into special categories—like “Beta” or regional add-ons. You can spot them on tech forums or on Roku’s own “Hidden Genre” lists. Some of these even include cult movie channels and international news in English.
• Set up a regular content search: Every month, free channels shuffle their movie and show lineup. Use the universal Roku search (voice or keyboard) and filter by price, so you only see what’s free this week. Try searching for your favorite actor or title with the “free only” toggle.
• Try the new 'Roku Zones': In 2025, Roku amped up 'Zones'—themed collections where you can browse everything, free or paid, built around a topic like “90s Sitcoms” or “Paranormal.” In each zone, you can just tap the free filter—hidden gems almost always pop up here.
• Build a tailored home screen: Press the asterisk button (*) while highlighting a channel to move it up or “hide” ones you never use. Dedicated freebie fans will sometimes group all their free channels together so it’s easy to avoid clicking on premium ones by accident.
• Keeps tabs on “limited-time” freebies: Peacock, CW, and a few network apps occasionally unlock entire seasons or movies for a limited time. Sites like CordCuttersNews.com often list these events, or spot the “free this week” tags on Roku’s home page under The Roku Channel.
• Don’t forget classic radio and music: TuneIn and iHeartRadio remain free for live radio, playlists, true crime podcasts, and even streaming certain sports events. If you miss concerts or want niche stand-up comedy, check out the Shout! Factory or Vevo channels, both offering totally free shows in 2025.
• International options: Hungry for news or shows in a language other than English? Roku supports dozens of international free channels, from AfroLandTV (African drama) to France 24 and NHK World. News and entertainment in Spanish, Hindi, Tagalog, Japanese—the variety gets wider every quarter.
• Parental controls: You don’t need to pay for safety. Roku’s free PIN protection lets parents lock down certain apps or hide mature channels with just a few taps. This is crucial, since most free streaming relies on ads and broad content buckets.

The best insider move? Burnout-proof your watchlist. Rotate in a new free channel every two weeks. Just when you think you’ve exhausted everything, someone shares an oddball documentary or a new indie sitcom that warms up a week of rainy nights. With over 350 live and 2,800 on-demand titles in The Roku Channel alone in 2025, it’s not about finding free content — it’s about having enough free time to explore it.

If you want the numbers, Roku’s June 2025 data showed 80-90 major free English channels, with at least 300 total if you count every active genre, regional, and international channel. These numbers jump even higher if you include those “unlock for a week” deal channels. So, wherever your mood takes you—retro game shows, global news, animated classics—Roku’s free side has you covered.