Forum Discussion

Greg2024's avatar
Greg2024
Newbie
9 months ago
Solved

How to view local ABC affiliates on Roku.

Now that ABC has disabled its App. How is one supposed to view their local live ABC affiliate for local news and programming? Hulu, and none of those other channels you can view ABC on do not carry the local ABC affiliates. I am trying to watch WCVB-TV in Boston an ABC affiliate. The Very Local channel that WCVB is associated with does not carry it live, only on demand. So, at six o'clock when I want to watch the news, the only option I have is to watch the Noon edition on demand. Insane. At least on Parmount where CBS has its app you can get the local CBS affiliate WBZ-TV. Disney is destroying television viewing. 

If anyone could be of help, it would be much appreciated.

 

app playback
  • RokuArjiemar's avatar
    RokuArjiemar
    9 months ago

    Hello! Greg2024,

    Thank you for posting in the Roku Community!

    We appreciate you contacting us regarding the ABC channel's unavailability on your Roku device. We are happy to assist you.

    The ABC channel is no longer available. To continue to access that content, we suggest you contact your TV provider or the URL displayed in the channel when you launch it on your Roku device.  

    For reference, here is the channel support contact ABC.

    Thanks,
    Arjiemar

24 Replies

  • Mic4's avatar
    Mic4
    Reel Rookie
    9 months ago

    Get an antenna. I'm in attleboro and watch all the boston stations. Work well.

    • bgviolette's avatar
      bgviolette
      Newbie
      7 months ago

      Good luck with an antenna if your antenna signal breaks up with storms and airplaines. 

      • Mic4's avatar
        Mic4
        Reel Rookie
        7 months ago

        Must be in a pretty **bleep** area. I am 40 miles south of Boston and I pick those station with no issues. Even during a storm.

  • RokuArjiemar's avatar
    RokuArjiemar
    Retired Moderator
    9 months ago

    Hello! Greg2024,

    Thank you for posting in the Roku Community!

    We appreciate you contacting us regarding the ABC channel's unavailability on your Roku device. We are happy to assist you.

    The ABC channel is no longer available. To continue to access that content, we suggest you contact your TV provider or the URL displayed in the channel when you launch it on your Roku device.  

    For reference, here is the channel support contact ABC.

    Thanks,
    Arjiemar

    • madlib's avatar
      madlib
      Newbie
      9 months ago

      We pay for a full cable box through verizon and we have roku in the bedroom. How am i paying for cable each month but can’t use abc anymore on roku? But you want me to pay for hulu live to get AbC i’m confused.

      • andyross's avatar
        andyross
        Roku Guru
        9 months ago

        Roku has nothing to do with the removal of the ABC app. That is Disney greed trying to get you to sign up for Disney+ or Hulu+Live TV.

  • andyross's avatar
    andyross
    Roku Guru
    9 months ago

    Some stations have their own apps that will air local news and programming. If you want ABC network programming, you need to have an antenna or some Live TV service (cable, satellite, YouTube TV, etc...) Also, for news, some of the free apps like Haystack News, Local Now, NewsOn may offer local NEWS feeds. These feeds may not be live and may be delayed an hour or so.

    • DeeG's avatar
      DeeG
      Newbie
      9 months ago

      I have xfinity but still can’t get ABC? I also have Hulu . Any suggestions?

      • andyross's avatar
        andyross
        Roku Guru
        9 months ago

        If you have Xfinity TV, you can use the Xfinity Stream app. All channels should available when you are on your home network.

  • Stevejv429's avatar
    Stevejv429
    Channel Surfer
    9 months ago

    Was about to ask/ post the same question. 

    Sooo, options are:

    Pay for another cable box.

    Get an outdoor antenna. 

    Pay for Disney+ (do they even offer a live local option? Aside from Dancing w/ Stars? )

    Pay for Hulu (see above for live local)

    Hook laptop to tv to stream abc.com 

    Am i missing anythjng?

    • andyross's avatar
      andyross
      Roku Guru
      9 months ago

      For live streaming of ABC, you need a live TV service. Sling Blue may be the cheapest at $40 as that package has many local ABC, Fox, and NBC stations. Otherwise, you would need a full cable-style streaming like YouTube TV or Hulu+Live TV, both of which are $75-80+.

      For reference, ad-free Paramount+ includes live local CBS, and ad-free Peacock includes local NBC. Ad-free Hulu does NOT include live locals, only the Hulu+Live TV offers that.

       

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      9 months ago

      Stevejv429 

      May also be able use an indoor antenna.  (even some old rabbit ears may work).

    • Rambighorn60's avatar
      Rambighorn60
      Newbie
      3 months ago

      Subscribe to Sling Blue—at least in most  places you will get your local ABC network affiliate station. 

  • GrandpaIan's avatar
    GrandpaIan
    Reel Rookie
    9 months ago

    Just setting a new Roku TV for the first time. Very disappointed it does not include SBS or ABC iView. Apart from that, it is easy to navigate and setup. Shall be lobbing the ABC. 

    Regards

    Ian

    • andyross's avatar
      andyross
      Roku Guru
      9 months ago

      Roku is only responsible for The Roku Channel. All others are written and submitted by the services or developers.

      You will need to contact ABC directly and suggest a Roku app.

      • Alopex's avatar
        Alopex
        Reel Rookie
        9 months ago

        Looks like my thread has somehow been merged into an unrelated thread about ABC USA?

        ABC iView (Australia) has nothing to do with local ABC USA channels.

        Anyway, I contacted the ABC iView team and they said they have no plans to support Roku (apparently porting the existing app from TelstraTV Roku to regular Roku isn't straight-forward). Maybe Roku could reach out to them and offer some assistance with the porting to get them on board? If Roku wants to increase their stake in the Aus market, that is.

  • andyross's avatar
    andyross
    Roku Guru
    9 months ago

    You can see if Haystack News, NewsOn, or LocalNow carry it. Otherwise, the media companies don't want to give stuff away for free anymore. Without an antenna, you will generally have to pay.

  • Mic4's avatar
    Mic4
    Reel Rookie
    5 months ago

    No idea where you are, but i know living in attlboro with a good antenna(that sits in my front window)i get all the boston station including 5.2 that has your news on at 10. When i scan i get 64 channels. Get a good antenna and good luck.