Many streaming services have contracts with cable/satellite providers that do not permit them to offer streaming without a TV provider. There's no "scam" involved here. And if they don't have such a restriction, they will then require you to subscribe directly with them.
Did you really think you could stream all the NBC/ABC/CBS content for no cost? The networks have spent millions developing and producing content for their broadcast affiliates. It's free over the air because of all the commercials that pay to keep the stations on the air. Even with streaming there's costs involved, with the servers that store the content and the Internet connections to feed the content to us. Someone has to pay for it, so of course the networks want a subscription of some sort.
As to the descriptions you see for each channel/app in the Roku channel store, the provider of the channel writes those. Some are more clear than others about the need for a TV provider, but there are many providers that have such a requirement.
Dan
Roku Community Streaming Expert
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