Forum Discussion

Suelue's avatar
Suelue
Reel Rookie
3 years ago
Solved

Do I need a cable provider to activate The History Channel?

I have been watching Oak Island on the history channel for several seasons. All of a sudden, it keeps “encountering an error” when I try to watch it. I only have internet, no cable TV provider.  I contacted my internet provider and they said the History channel isn’t part of my package. I have no idea what they are talking about since I have no cable package with them. My Roku device shows that the history channel is in my line up, and it’s free. I can watch every other show on the History channel, for free, except for Oak Island.  I can’t figure out how to contact Roku to kept them know this is happening.  Interestingly, the cable company was at my house the day before and replaced my modem and the outside cable. Then this “ error” started to occur. 

  • RokuKarla's avatar
    RokuKarla
    3 years ago

    Hello Suelue,

    Thanks for reaching out here in the Community!

    Please be aware that the History channel is an authenticated channel that requires a TV or cable subscription to access content on the channel. If you do not have a TV or cable subscription plan that allows you to access History, you will be unable to watch content on that channel.

    We would recommend reaching out to History for more information about what TV or cable subscription plans allow access to their channel.

    Regards,
    Karla

  • RokuKarla's avatar
    RokuKarla
    3 years ago

    Thanks for the post Suelue

    For the issue you're experiencing with the History Channel, we recommend contacting their support team directly for more information and better insight into how their channel works on Roku. They'll be the best ones to help you out with that matter. 


    Regards,
    Karla

  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    3 years ago

    Suelue-

    I'd think twice about contacting History Channel about this.  They might figure out why you're able to access programming you're not supposed to and take it away.

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  • RokuKarla's avatar
    RokuKarla
    Retired Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hello Suelue,

    Thanks for reaching out here in the Community!

    Please be aware that the History channel is an authenticated channel that requires a TV or cable subscription to access content on the channel. If you do not have a TV or cable subscription plan that allows you to access History, you will be unable to watch content on that channel.

    We would recommend reaching out to History for more information about what TV or cable subscription plans allow access to their channel.

    Regards,
    Karla

    • Suelue's avatar
      Suelue
      Reel Rookie
      3 years ago

      Thank you Karla. I was unaware of that, since I’ve been watching it for a few years without one. Still puzzled about why I can watch all the other shows on History. 🤷🏻‍♀️

      • RokuKarla's avatar
        RokuKarla
        Retired Moderator
        3 years ago

        Thanks for the post Suelue

        For the issue you're experiencing with the History Channel, we recommend contacting their support team directly for more information and better insight into how their channel works on Roku. They'll be the best ones to help you out with that matter. 


        Regards,
        Karla

    • goparrish's avatar
      goparrish
      Reel Rookie
      3 years ago

      Question: Can I access Roku channels like this with only a "basic" cable subscription or do I need a higher level/more channels cable package? Much obliged.

      • Strega's avatar
        Strega
        Roku Guru
        3 years ago

        Generally you just need a package that includes the channel you are trying to use.  (ie: if the channel is being paid by your cable package, then they allow you to stream them as well.)