Channels & viewing

[Swede3400]

I thought with Roku I was supposed to be able to watch a program the day after it aired. It has been 9 days since my favorite show aired on NBC and I get "Unlock content now by linking your TV provider." when I tried to watch it. I don't have a TV provider. I cut the cable years ago and only use my provider for the internet. I am fed up with Roku not doing what I was told it's supposed to do. Can someone please tell me why it does this? Thanks in advance.

[Strega2]

A roku is a streaming TV device that runs various apps.  Exactly how any app works is up to its creator.

It sounds like you are running one or more apps that want you to have a TV provider (so they can be paid through the provider.)   Many apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Paramount+, Tubi, etc. have no need of a provider.  Choose the apps you prefer.

Oh and don't trust the advice of the guy who told you what Roku was supposed to do on anything expensive or important. 

[Swede3400 · Accepted solution]

Thank you. It was the ad for Roku itself that led me to believe I could watch my local channels the next day after airing. With what I'm paying for internet plus having to pay for 3 other channels I may as well go back to cable.

[Strega2 · Accepted solution]

I generally don’t do ads myself, but I wouldn’t trust them in general - certainly not to provide a "full picture"!

With so many ways to get TV, I would expect most options to be reasonably competitive.  Streaming currently provides a lot more flexibility than a typical cable TV package, but making good use of that flexibility requires the user to be flexible too.  ie: if you demand that streaming provide the same channels and features as cable, then it might not cost less. On the other hand, if you watch Tubi and/or The Roku Channel, and some of the many other completely free channels, then you can do streaming for no monthly cost.  (I don't, because of my no-ads preference, but some people can stand it! 😀)