Roku has just expanded the free content options you can watch. Over the past month, the company, via The Roku Channel and its Live TV lineup, has added a cluster of new FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) channels.
The update delivers more niche, brand-driven, and ambient options that you can tune into immediately on supported gadgets.
Below is a breakdown of what Roku added.
The new 17 Roku channels
The added channels are as follows, each categorized well for easy identification:
Movies & scripted and franchise channels
For nostalgia, franchise fans, and cinema-curation, these are the new additions:
- Stargate by MGM
- Xena: Warrior Princess
- American Gladiators by MGM
- Cinepolis
- Cirque du Soleil
Sports, esports & competition
For live and curated event content, you have these new options:
- NASCAR
- PFL MMA (PFL’s 24/7 FAST channel).
- Team Liquid
- Swerve Sports (women’s sports-first FAST channel)
- Bassmaster Channel (fishing/sports-outdoors programming).
- Ryz Sports Network and The Jim Rome Show / PFL-related content
Lifestyle, factual, and ambient channels
Lifestyle, factual series, and true crime additional selections are as follows:
- Life Below Zero (linear channel carrying the NatGeo/BBC survival series).
- To Catch a Smuggler.
- Paternity Court by MGM / Court TV Legendary Trials
- Dog Whisperer by Cesar Millan
- This Old House Shorts
- Tyler Perry’s Love Thy Neighbor
Other channels
On top of the new 17 channels, there are also other notable additions, which include:
- Revolt Mixtape / Roku Sounds of Summer
- A range of Stingray “ambient” channels: These include ZenLIFE, Naturescape, Stargaze, Cityscapes, Cozy Cafe, and Free Riding. They are visual-music, ambient, and meditation channels which benefit lo-fi, scenic, and sleep and relaxation viewing fans.
How to find and add these channels on your Roku (step-by-step)
If you want these newly added Roku channels on your screen now, here’s the procedure to follow:
- From the Roku Home screen, press the Home button on your remote.
- Select Streaming Channels to open the Channel Store.
- Use the search box to find a channel by name. For example, select “Stargate” or “PFL MMA,” and then choose Add channel.
- Alternatively, open Live TV on the left-hand menu of the Roku home screen.
- Browse Newly Added or use the guide to jump directly into linear FAST channels.
You can also access these new channels via the Roku mobile app or Roku.com. Sign in, navigate to the Channel Store, and add channels remotely.
Newly added channels will appear in your Live TV guide right away. If a channel is region-limited, the add/install button will be missing.