Channels & viewing

[joemorgs]

Some streaming channels that are live (ABC, Fox, MSNBC, CNN) are not working at all.  Some channels, however, are (ESPN, Local News KTLA).  Please advise, this is very frustrating.

[RokuJechealR]

Hi @joemorgs,

Thanks for your first post in the Roku Community!

We appreciate you reaching out regarding your issue with the channels not working.

As of the moment, our concerned team has an ongoing investigation regarding this issue. In the meantime, we need your help. Could you provide the following details below?

• Roku device model, serial number, device ID, and software OS/version (these can all be found in Settings > System > About).
• Tracker ID when this issue occurs (when you see this issue occur, press the Home button 5 times, followed by the Back button 5 times, and provide us with this ID).
• What troubleshooting steps have you performed so far to reproduce the issue?

We look forward to hearing your response and receiving your device details.

Best regards,

Chel

[makaiguy · Accepted solution]

Your non-working channels sound like the streaming versions of regular cable channels that require authentication against a "tv provider" service (cable, satellite, etc.) that carries them. 

Cable-type channels want to be paid. When you have a paid subscription to a "tv 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, including networks that are carried by local broadcast stations, make their content available for streaming via a "TV Everywhere" channel app for those who pay for the channel through a provider as mentioned above. That service doesn't have to be a bloated cable or satellite service however. There are several services you can subscribe to and run on a Roku that may carry the channels you are interested in at a lower cost than a cable or satellite subscription. Ones that come to mind to check out for any particular channel would include:

• Hulu plus Live TV
• Sling
• philo
• Directv Stream
• YouTube TV
• frndly
• fubu
• vidgo
... there may be others.

There are several places on the net where you can look up which streaming providers carry a particular channel of interest. Here are several such pages:

• https://thestreamable.com/channels
• https://www.groundedreason.com/cord-cutting/tv-streaming/how-to-stream-by-channel/
• https://suppose.tv/
• https://www.justwatch.com/
• .. and again, there may be others

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