Channels & viewing

[Pin31]

I have Roku and I want to set up the CTV on the app (which I did) but it says I have to give them my Internet provider but will my Internet provider charge me for having this app on the Roku?

Thank you

[Strega2]

I think if you look again, they are probably asking for your TV provider. (Which is OK because they are already charging you for that channel.) I've never heard of a Roku app that cares about your internet provider.

[JWS9518]

Typically, an app/channel will ask for your provider to determine if you have a TV viewing package that is part of your internet/cable subscription.  For example, if you have Comcast, Spectrum , or one of the others as one of your TV/Internet providers and want to watch ESPN+, which is typically part of their packages, then ESPN+ will ask you to verify your provider by either automatically checking once you select it if you are on the same home network where you pay for the service or will ask you to log into the app with your cable/internet provider username/password.  Then if your provider gives you access to that channel as part of your subscription, you can view the channel/app with no issue.  If not, then you have to access the channel as part of a paid subscription or if the channel has a free version, then you can view that way.

[Pin31]

I forgot to add. I have an Internet provider but I have no cable through the provider because I got the Roku.  Roku has the CTV app but they want your internet provider (I think) but will they charge me (my Internet provider) because I don't have cable with them. I am not sure how this works to get an app on the Roku but you have to provide an Internet provider. I am okay giving them my Internet provider BUT don't want to be charged for the app?

Thank you

[RokuTakashi]

Hi, @Pin31 

Thanks for posting here in the Roku Community.

We understand that you want to activate the CTV app on your Roku device, and we're here to help you contact the right support regarding your concern.

For this matter, we recommend you contact CTV support and inquire further about setting up their channel on your Roku device. Activating a channel typically requires assistance from the channel provider since they have specific requirements that should be met before accessing their app and contents.

To contact them, please refer to CTV | Support

We hope this helps, and let us know if you have further concerns or inquries.

Thanks,
Kash

[Strega2]

I think you will find that they say: TV provider. In any case, if you go through their authentication process, once you log in to your internet provider, I am about 99% sure that you will get a message saying that CTV is not included in your package. (Because you're telling us it's not - so it would only "work" if there as a huge bug in their system.)

There is nothing mutually exclusive about Roku and cable TV. (Or satellite TV, or a streaming provider like Youtube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sling etc.) So, some channels in the Roku store provide you with additional ways to access the content you are paying for. For example, if you have cable, via a cable box in the living room, you can watch those same shows via a Roku in your garage without having to worry about another cable box or getting a cable there.

If you don't have that channel (or any TV provider at all) then an app that asks you to log in to your TV provider may be of no use to you.

[Strega2]

I just checked this. The CTV app in the channel store says: "TV Service Provider Sign-In required."  (For some features - other features are apparently free to everyone.)

[JWS9518]

CTV may have a free version, but it sounds like for full access to CTV you either have to pay for a stand-alone subscription or have a TV/streaming package (cable or otherwise) that has CTV as part of your subscription.  Not every channel has their own stand-alone streaming app.  Some rely strictly on being part of a package, whether that is cable or other streaming services that offer "Cable-type" channel/TV packages.  For example, I have a Spectrum TV package, even though I no longer have cable boxes, and as part of that package, I can view various channels that Spectrum provides, but also, I can view other channels that are viewable by streaming only, such as ESPN plus or Discovery plus, which I pay for as part of the monthly cable service or is included as part of that package.  I save money by not having boxes but still pay for the access to see their service through the Roku.