How to stream live TV on your Roku device

Overview

The Roku is a device which is used to stream media such as live TV and other streaming services. The name comes from the Japanese word roku, which means six. It was named as such because it was the sixth company started by founder and CEO Anthony Wood. It works by receiving data in the form of a video stream through a wired or WiFi connection from a router, which is then output via audio or video cable. Available Roku versions are Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra. Live TV is available from many providers, such as fuboTV, Philo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Here’s an overview of each of the devices available for purchase.

Roku Express

HD resolution
Framerate of 30 FPS
Operates using Roku OS
Quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor
0.25GB internal storage
HDMI output connection
Screen mirroring via Cast
Dolby Audio theater technology
Alexa on-device voice search
Stream TV with fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV and YouTube TV
Stream sports with ESPN+, DAZN, NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, MLB.TV and NHL.TV
Download apps using the Roku Channel Store
Watch video with YouTube, Vudu, Fandango Now, Google Play Movies, Redbox and Movies Anywhere
Listen to music with Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora and YouTube Music
Connect your Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker
Compatible with the Plex media server

Roku Express+

Roku OS operating system
Quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor
0.25GB internal storage on offer
HDMI/Composite output connections
Screen mirroring available using Cast
802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi class
Dolby Audio theater technology
IR remote connectivity
Stream live TV with fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, Sling TV and YouTube TV
Connect Pluto TV or Tubi TV to your device
Watch your favorite sports with NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, ESPN+, DAZN, MLB.TV and NHL.TV
Get the latest apps with the Roku Channel Store
Use YouTube, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Fandango Now and more for movies
Stream music using Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube Music
Connect to the Plex media hub to organise your local content

Roku Premiere

Make the most of 4K resolution
Enjoy a framerate of 60FPS
HDR10 available
Roku OS operating system
Built with a Roku OS 9 processor
0.25GB internal storage
HDMI output connection
Mirror your screen with Cast
Dolby Audio/Dolby Atmos theater technology
IR remote connectivity
TV streaming functionality from Sling TV, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Philo and YouTube TV
NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, MLB.TV, ESPN+, DAZN and NHL.TV will work for sports fans
Visit the Roku Channel Store for the latest apps
Video clips available on YouTube, or movies with Redbox, Google Play Movies and more
Your favorite music from Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music or Amazon Music
Link up your Google Home or Amazon Echo for smart home assistance

Roku Premiere+

4K resolution, 60FPS and HDR10
0.5GB internal storage
IR/WiFi remote connectivity
Roku Voice search on device
Stream live TV with a range of streaming services such as Hulu Live TV and Philo
Use Hulu, Netflix, Pluto TV or Tubi TV for on-demand content
DAZN, NFL Sunday Ticket and more for your sports fix
Get the latest updates and freshest apps from the Roku Channel Store
Watch trending video clips and music with the YouTube app
Redbox, Vudu, Fandango Now and more for movie streaming
Add Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora and more for your music needs
Manage your personal content library with the Plex system

Roku Streaming Stick

HD resolution and 60FPS framerate
Roku OS and quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor
HDMI output connection
802.11ac (MIMO) WiFi class
Dolby Audio theater technology
Remote connectivity via IR/WiFi
Power and volume TV control
Roku voice search available
Watch the latest live TV with fuboTV, Philo and more
Get your sports updates from a range of services – ESPN+ and DAZN to name but a few
You’re spoilt for choice with movie streaming – Vudu, Fandango Now, Redbox, Movies Anywhere and more
Enjoy your favorite tunes with Amazon Music, Spotify and Pandora
Hook up Alexa or Google for smart speaker assistance

Roku Streaming Stick+

4K resolution and 60FPS framerate, plus HDR10
0.5GB internal storage available
HDMI output connection and Cast screen mirroring
Range of live TV services available
Enjoy various sports apps
Stream movies and music through various channels
Use an Amazon or Google smart speaker

Roku Ultra

4K visuals with 60 frames per second and HDR10 to boot
1GB of RAM, plus JBL headphones, private listening, gaming buttons and Remote Finder feature
Expandable storage via USB and microSD
100 Mbps Ethernet
Various live TV streaming services options available
Play music, watch movies, get your sports fix and browse further channels

Summary

It’s clear you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on a Roku device to purchase. All of the available models offer similar specs, but the Ultra evidently has some extra features which could make it stand out from the crowd, namely the RAM, Ethernet and expandable storage. Every device allows for watching live and on demand TV, listening to music, viewing movies and more, with each of these functions easy to activate by simply downloading the relevant app. Overall, Roku devices provide a simple and effective way to organise your streaming services.