Forum Discussion

lucyklein's avatar
lucyklein
Newbie
11 months ago
Solved

Live TV channels missing from Roku express

I have purchased the Roxu Express HD for my tv. I have set it up on my tv, however it is not showing a section for live tv channels. I’ve tried to look online and can’t work out if the reason i can’t see the live tv channel section is because I don’t have an aerial/antenna? Does anyone know why I can’t see the live channel tile on the screen?

TV & Player Setup
  • RokuJechealR's avatar
    RokuJechealR
    8 months ago

    Hi Andy_L_C,

    Welcome, and thanks for posting to the Roku Community!

    We understand your concerns about an option to enable Live TV on your Roku Express.

    Please be aware that Roku streaming devices like the Express do not have TV tuners, so they do not have antenna inputs and can't receive these stations.

    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 your TV's live TV input.

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

    However, this is only accessible if you have a Roku TV. Visit our support article to learn more about setting up and watching live TV on your Roku TV system.

    If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know. 

    All the best,
    Chel

4 Replies

  • RokuJohnB's avatar
    RokuJohnB
    Community Moderator
    11 months ago

    Hi lucyklein,

    Thank you for your first post here in the Roku Community!

    We appreciate you letting us know about your concern about the missing Live TV option on your Roku Express, and we'd be glad to assist. To access Live TV, you must first enable the option for it to be displayed on your Home Screen. Kindly navigate to Settings > Home Screen > Live TV > Select "Enable."

    Additionally, you can visit Roku's official website on Watch Live TV on Roku Devices for more information on the Live TV feature on your Roku device.

    Please let us know if there's anything else that we can do to assist you.

    Best regards,
    John

    • makaiguy's avatar
      makaiguy
      Community Streaming Expert
      11 months ago

      lucyklein-

      Unfortunately, in the streaming world,  there are two different meanings for the term "live tv".

      In one sense, "live tv" refers to those streams you view as they are sent by the streaming service according to the service's schedule, as opposed to "on demand" programs you can click on and view whenever you want.  Channels in the channel guide in The Roku Channel are examples of this.  You have to watch them as they come in, so in that sense they are "live" even if you're watching an I Love Lucy from the 1950s.  THOSE are the "live tv" options that RokuJohnB is directing you to.

      In the other sense, "live tv" is what you receive from local broadcast stations and received via an antenna.  Roku streaming devices like the Express have no TV tuners, so they have no antenna inputs and can't receive these stations.  If these are what you are asking about, you have a number of choices:

      • Connect an antenna to your TV, and use the TV to watch them.  Your Roku is not involved.
      • Subscribe to a cable or satellite service that includes these channels and view them on your TV directly from the service's specialized receiver.  No Roku is involved.
      • Some cable and satellite services mentioned above may have a Roku app you can use to view their content via your Roku.
      • Subscribe to a paid streaming service over the internet that you can view on Roku that includes the "live tv" local channels you want to watch.  Some popular services would include YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling, Frndly TV, etc.  You would watch these via a streamer like Roku, or a TV that has built in support for these over-the-internet services.
      • Some network-affiliated streaming services may give access to their network's live programming.  Peacock Premium subscriptions, for instance, provide access to your local CBS station.

       

       

    • Andy_L_C's avatar
      Andy_L_C
      Newbie
      8 months ago

      I have no Live TV option to enable under Setting-Home Screen on a Roku Express.  So this solution does not work for my Roku Express.

      • RokuJechealR's avatar
        RokuJechealR
        Retired Moderator
        8 months ago

        Hi Andy_L_C,

        Welcome, and thanks for posting to the Roku Community!

        We understand your concerns about an option to enable Live TV on your Roku Express.

        Please be aware that Roku streaming devices like the Express do not have TV tuners, so they do not have antenna inputs and can't receive these stations.

        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 your TV's live TV input.

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

        However, this is only accessible if you have a Roku TV. Visit our support article to learn more about setting up and watching live TV on your Roku TV system.

        If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know. 

        All the best,
        Chel