Roku has quietly bolstered its free streaming offering with the addition of six new ad-supported channels, bringing a diverse range of content from classic Westerns to reality television. These new channels are now available on The Roku Channel, which is accessible to anyone with a Roku TV or device without requiring a subscription.
The latest update introduces a variety of genres to cater to different tastes. Fans of classic American Westerns can now enjoy a dedicated 'Rawhide' channel (313), featuring all eight seasons of the iconic series starring Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood. Further expanding on the genre, channel 6036 is entirely devoted to classic Western films and series. For those nostalgic for 1960s sitcoms, 'The Beverly Hillbillies' is now streaming continuously on channel 314, following the misadventures of the Clampett family.
Beyond classic television, Roku is also catering to more contemporary interests and diverse audiences. Reality TV enthusiasts can tune into channel 624 for 'Ink Master', a long-running competition show where tattoo artists battle it out in design challenges. Comedy Central's satirical programme 'Tosh.0' is available for laughs on channel 815, offering reruns of the show. Additionally, Spanish-speaking audiences can access 'MTV en Español' on channel 978, which features music videos, interviews, and reality shows in Spanish.
These new channels operate in a format reminiscent of traditional broadcast television, streaming content continuously rather than requiring viewers to select specific episodes or series. This approach allows for a more passive viewing experience, mimicking the channel-surfing of linear TV. The latest additions follow a substantial content push from Roku this year, including the debut of 16 new free channels last month and a partnership with Amazon Prime for the new subscription service, Howdy.
Roku's strategy appears to be centred on expanding its free, ad-supported viewing options to drive greater engagement on its platform. This aligns with a broader industry trend of streaming services looking to diversify revenue streams beyond subscriptions, particularly as the market becomes increasingly competitive. Upcoming exclusive content, such as a 'Laguna Beach' reunion special and live coverage of events like The Masters 2026, further underscore Roku's commitment to building a comprehensive content ecosystem.