Channels & viewing

[Caveman52]

I bought a ROKU streaming stick for an older tv. Everything seems to work fine except, I can’t get the local channels to show up under LIVETV. There are no options to do a channel scan and during setup, it never asked me to run one. I can change the input on the tv and get the local channels, so I know the tv is finding them. Any ideas as to why I can’t access these channels? 

[Strega2]

A Roku player is not a TV.  It has no tuner or an input for an antenna.  It is meant to add streaming from the internet to an existing TV.  The TV is expected to already do the over the air stuff.

[Caveman52]

Thanks! So does that mean that the only way I can see local channels on these older tv’s using the ROKU stick is by changing the input? The local channels seems to be fine on my other actual ROKU TV’s. The only ones that don’t work are the older ones that don’t have the Roku operating system running on them

[Strega2 · Accepted solution]

That would be the typical way, yes. I pop back and forth between Roku, Satellite,  OTA and other inputs routinely using the input buttons on my AVR.  (But that's because I have an AVR - if I didn't then I would just switch inputs on my TV.)

Of course, there are channel/apps on Roku that present a live-TV-like presentation, but these apps are still using internet streaming, not the antenna on the TV. 

[Lamconsultingsv]

Hello. I have promoted ROKU for many years to my family and friends. What I liked about it was the ability to INCORPORATE THE LOCAL DIGITAL CHANNELS WITH THE STREAMING DEVICE. Beginning in July ROKU sneakily changed their system to ELIMINATE THE LOCAL CHANNELS. They are trying to force US ordinary folks that are used to what we have to watch what they want us to watch. For example, if I live in SC or Texas, why are you taking away my local news over Digital TV, forcing me to watch the morning news on the Local app that only gives a repeat of the early morning news over and over again? I want to know what is happening in my neighborhood, not Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York or wherever else. ROKU is turning into a CABLE like monopoly. They better wake up soon because I am getting ready to dump this ROKU TV and system for an old school TV where what I watch is not forced down my throat. Think about it. All we really want is to integrate what we have now combined with what is available for the future. Join the past with the future in a logical and strategic way. Don’t ram it down our throats. Spread the word until they understand.

[pamelalocke]

what do you change the input to?  I have the same issue

[RokuCarly]

We appreciate you reaching us here in the Roku Community, @pamelalocke!

We'd be happy to be of assistance here and help you stream your local channels using an antenna.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to receive free “over-the-air” TV broadcasts from nearby TV stations using an HDTV antenna. You can refer to Antenna Web for more information on accessing “over-the-air” TV in your area and finding and using an HDTV antenna.

To access “over-the-air” broadcast television, the HDTV antenna must be connected to the Live TV input of your TV.

1. Connect the coaxial cable from your HDTV antenna to the “Ant/Cable In” connector on the back of your TV
2. Press Home on your Roku remote
3. Select Live TV
4. Follow the instructions on the TV screen to complete setup

Note: If Live TV is missing, you can add it by going to Settings > TV inputs > Live TV > Set up input.

We have a support article dedicated to this for additional information and steps: How to set up and watch live TV on your Roku TV system

Hope this helps!

Warm regards,
Carly