What is streaming?
When you watch a video on your smartphone or a movie on your computer, the signal is sent over the internet to your home, and then over your wireless network to your smartphone or computer where it is converted to video and audio. This process of delivering media content over the internet is known as streaming.
Streaming lets you watch video or listen to music “on-demand” which means whenever you want without waiting for a show to be broadcast or downloaded.
What can I watch?
You can stream almost anything. Movies. TV. Original series. Kids’ shows. News. Sports and more. Easy access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes across thousands of paid or free channels, including Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, Spotify, Happy Kids, and more. Many of Roku’s free channels are ad-supported. Other paid channels like Netflix do not have any commercials at all.
If your Roku device supports 4K Ultra HD (4K) or High Dynamic Range (HDR) and your television is compatible, a number of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV, offer a variety of 4K and HDR titles. To discover other channels with similar content, learn more about how you can find 4K and HDR movies and TV shows.
Does a Roku streaming device replace my cable or satellite service?
You can use a Roku device with your existing service, or instead of it. With your cable or satellite subscription you can stream what you love on-demand through TV Everywhere channels like Showtime Anytime, ESPN, and more.
Or, you can use a Roku device as an alternative to cable or satellite. Choose from a wide selection of free services, pay-as-you-go with monthly subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu, or rent movies and shows from FandangoNOW, and more. Roku also offers live news, and popular cable-replacement packages like Sling TV with live and on-demand programming from ESPN, HGTV and dozens more channels.
Are there additional costs?
Roku does not charge a monthly service subscription or monthly equipment rental fees for owning a Roku streaming device. Roku also does not charge an activation fee, and there is NEVER a charge to create a Roku account.
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Note: Roku does not charge for activation support – beware of scammers pretending to be a Roku service agent.
However, you may be charged a monthly subscription for services, or channels, available from the Roku Channel Store.
For example, if you’re new to Netflix, you’ll need a Netflix subscription plan. However, if you’re already a Netflix customer, you can start watching right away. With an MLB.TV paid subscription, you’ll get access to live and on-demand Major League baseball games. Other channels, like Hulu and WWE offer on-demand access to their paid programming.
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Note: You will not be charged by Roku for any purchase without your approval. You can also create a PIN to prevent unauthorized users in your home from purchasing channels from the Roku Channel Store.
Read more articles about related costs on the Roku Support site.