Channels & viewing

[Sunny3]

atc98092,

Thank you very much for that information. I had no idea.

I think we just aren't understanding how Roku works.

Yes, I do have internet service through Cox and I plan to keep that service.

You've been very helpful. Thank you!

[makaiguy]

Cable-type channels want to be paid. When you have a paid subscription to a provider service that carries these channels, they receive their pay out of the subscription fees you pay that provider. When you don't have a subscription to such a provider you are not paying for those channels.

Many cable-type channels only make their programming available for streaming over the internet to those paying for them through a provider as mentioned above. That service doesn't have to be a bloated cable or satellite service however. There are several you can subscribe to and run on a Roku that may carry the channels you are interested in. Ones that come to mind to check out for any particular channel would include YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling, and AT&T NOW -- there may be others.

There are several places on the net where you can look up which providers carry a particular channel of interest.  Here are a couple such pages:
https://thestreamable.com/channels
https://www.groundedreason.com/cord-cutting/tv-streaming/how-to-stream-by-channel/

Savings in cord cutting usually come from picking and choosing which of the lesser offerings you wish to pay for instead of paying for full blown cable or satellite services with scores of channels you never watch.

[Sunny3]

Thank you, makaiguy,

Your post is very helpful.

All the posts here have been very helpful.

I think we just need to reset our thinking as to how Roku really works.

I'll look at the links you gave.

Thank you very much!

[makaiguy]

Let me also add that there are premium services you can subscribe to directly such as Netflix, Major League Baseball TV, and a bunch of others.  When you do this, you can view the channel on any platform for which they provide support (computer via browser or dedicated app, mobile device app, apps on various streaming devices) by logging in using your direct account credentials.

Some of these have also made arrangements with third parties (Roku, Hulu, Amazon, etc), enabling you to subscribe to them through the third party.  This has the convenience of consolidated billing through the third party, but with a serious drawback.  Typically you can view the channel ONLY through the third party handling the subscription.  In Roku's case this means you can only view a premium channels with a subscription through Roku on Roku's own The Roku Channel.  In most (all?) cases If you subscribe through one third party platform and try to watch on another, you cannot log in and view the channel.  Also, if you have any problems and need support you often find the channel and the third party just point fingers at each other and it makes it difficult to get help.  Personally, I subscribe to all my premiums directly with each service to give maximum flexibility and avoid some potential hassles.

[Sunny3]

Hi makaiguy,

Okay, so we have chosen Fubo and have subscribed because it has all the networks we normally watch.

I haven't explored the other apps yet, but I will.

We have 4 more TVs in the house and they aren't Roku TVs so will Roku work on those too?

And, do we have to pay a subscription for each TV that uses Roku, or will we only pay one subscription fee for all 5 TVs?

Thanks for the help!

[atc98092]

You can use a Roku on any TV with HDMI inputs, which is almost any TV purchased within the last 10 years or more. I recommend the Premiere or higher Roku player. I'm not a fan of the Express. Too many complaints about networking, and it's not 4K capable. You may not need 4K now, but you might in the future.

You won't have to pay a separate fee to use Fubo (or any other channel) on multiple devices. However, it's possible that Fubo has a limit to the number of simultaneous streams on one user account. Fubo can answer that question. 

Speaking of fees, Roku does not charge any fees to link a device to a user account. Some scam sites will claim there is a fee, or an "advanced" user account for multiple devices. There's no such thing, so just be cautious when you link new devices to your account. 

[Sunny3]

atc98092, Roku Express + is what we have.

Before I purchased I checked prices online and it was around $144 so I was surprised at the price of $44 I paid. There were no other choices at the store so I got this one. I didn't know there were other choices.

Maybe I should return this and get a different version. 

I'll check with Fubo and see how many TVs we can watch at one time. We usually have the kitchen TV, a guest room TV, and the den TV on at the same time.  We almost never have all 5 TVs on at the same time.

Thanks again for all the help!

[atc98092]

Good heavens, where were you shopping? The Premiere is on sale right now directly from Roku for $25. Even its normal price is only $35. I also just checked Best Buy, and they have it at $25 as well. 

And the Express+ isn't even an available player any longer. It was discontinued some time last year. Sounds like someone was profiting immensely at your expense. 

Most online providers that have stream limits are generally around 3-4 at the same time. But it would be good to check. 

[Sunny3]

What???? 

Express + was discontinued? I purchased this at Walmart on Monday. It was the only version they had and I got the last one on the shelf.

The prices I got online were from different websites/retailers.

Okay, I'm going to take this one back and go to Best Buy like I should have done to begin with.

Thank you!

[atc98092]

Since it's not listed on the Roku web site for sale, I consider that discontinued. Roku currently offers the basic Express, Premiere, Streaming Stick+ and Ultra as current models. Then there's the two Soundbars with built-in Roku players and Roku TVs built by a number of different manufacturers. 

And of course I'm only referring to what's available in the US. Different countries have different models available.