I agree with Strega2, a Roku or any other streaming device for that matter, is simply no more than a way to access content, similar in that respect to a cable/satellite box, with the biggest difference being how that content is provided, via internet versus cable or satellite.
Granted, streaming devices have some free channels to watch, however, if you are used to watching a number of channels via the traditional way such as on cable/satellite, it will not be the same experience.
A number of traditional channels will either not be available or require some type of subscription to watch. Those channels that are free tend to have a lot of repeated and/or old content and will not be exactly like watching cable channels. Even local stations that have apps tend to have limited content mostly related to local news broadcasts and will not necessarily be streaming what they are broadcasting on a cable channel. Roku and the other devices are good streaming devices with a lot of apps available, however, it all depends on what your expectations are.
Think of a streaming device like a cable box with no cable package. You can get some basic free channels, either via streaming or an antenna over the air, or you can build your package of channels you want to watch, either individually, such as subscribing to certain channels or buying a package through one of the many services out there, including some that Strega2 mentioned or even with some of the traditional cable/sat services that also offer packages with cloud services as opposed to a cable/sat box that you can access via their app on the streaming device.
Depending on what you want to watch, streaming can be cheaper or more expensive than regular cable/satellite depending on the channels you want and whether they require subscriptions.
Keep in mind, that some channels are only available through package subscriptions through various services, such as a cable package, Direct TV, Hulu, etc.. and some broadcasters do not have streaming apps available on their own or if they do, that experience may be different than what they are broadcasting over the air or via cable/satellite.
