How Do I Get Local News On Roku: Complete Guide to Free News Apps & Channels
Matty Erickson 
Staying informed about local news and events has become easier than ever with Roku streaming devices. As cable TV subscriptions decline, more viewers are turning to streaming platforms to access their favorite local news channels and programming.
Roku offers several ways to watch local news without a traditional cable subscription. From dedicated news apps to live TV streaming services, users can customize their viewing experience to stay connected with their community. Whether it’s breaking news, weather updates, or local sports coverage, Roku provides multiple options to keep viewers in the loop about what’s happening in their area.
How Do I Get Local News On Roku
Roku’s Local News app delivers free access to more than 230 local news channels across the United States. The app aggregates news content from multiple sources including ABC CBS NBC Fox affiliates major broadcast groups like Gray Television Nexstar Media Group Sinclair Broadcast Group.
The local news features on Roku include:
- Live broadcasts from regional news stations during scheduled programming hours
- Breaking news coverage with real-time updates for emergency situations
- Weather forecasts specific to viewer locations with radar maps hourly updates
- Traffic reports showing current road conditions construction updates accident alerts
- Sports coverage focusing on local teams high school college professional levels
Roku’s news platform organizes content in these key sections:
- Featured Stories – Top news stories from local stations
- Live Now – Currently broadcasting news programs
- Recent Updates – Latest news segments clips
- Categories – News organized by topic (weather politics sports business)
| Content Type | Update Frequency | Coverage Area |
|---|---|---|
| Live News | 24/7 streaming | City/Metro area |
| Weather | Hourly updates | County/Region |
| Traffic | Every 15 minutes | Metropolitan zones |
| Sports | Daily updates | Local market area |
The platform automatically detects viewer location to suggest relevant local channels based on ZIP code or IP address. Users can add multiple locations to track news from different cities creating customized news feeds that match their interests.
Finding Local News Channels on Roku
Accessing local news channels on Roku involves navigating through the platform’s comprehensive channel store and utilizing specific search features. The process combines both browsing official channels and finding dedicated local station apps.
Using the Roku Channel Store
The Roku Channel Store offers a centralized location to discover local news channels. Users navigate to the Channel Store from the Roku home screen by selecting “Streaming Channels.” The News & Weather category contains popular local news apps like NewsON ABC News CBS News NBC News. Downloading channels requires:
- Opening the Roku Channel Store
- Selecting “News & Weather” category
- Browsing featured news channels
- Clicking “Add Channel” on desired options
- Entering Roku PIN if prompted
Searching for Your Local Station Apps
Local TV stations provide dedicated Roku apps for streaming their content. To find specific station apps:
- Press the Home button on the Roku remote
- Select “Search” from the menu
- Type the station’s call letters (WXYZ) or network affiliate name
- Look for official station apps in results
- Install verified apps with station logos
- Live newscasts
- Weather radar maps
- Breaking news alerts
- Sports highlights
- On-demand news clips
| Popular Local News Apps | Features |
|---|---|
| NewsON | 275+ local stations |
| Local Now | 225+ markets covered |
| Haystack News | 300+ news sources |
| Stirr | 100+ local channels |
Popular Local News Apps for Roku
Local news apps on Roku deliver region-specific coverage through dedicated channels with distinct features. These apps connect viewers to their preferred local stations while offering customizable news experiences.
NewsON App Overview
NewsON provides access to 275+ local TV stations across 165 U.S. markets. The app features:
- Live broadcasts from multiple local stations
- 48-hour video-on-demand archive of recent newscasts
- Real-time severe weather alerts for tracked locations
- Interactive radar maps with hourly forecasts
- Curated playlists of top stories by region
- Cross-market coverage for tracking multiple cities
- 24/7 local news streams from 225+ markets
- Automated content updates every 30 minutes
- Hyperlocal weather reports with 7-day forecasts
- Traffic updates with live camera feeds
- Local sports scores from high school to pro teams
- Community event calendars with daily updates
- Neighborhood crime reports with safety alerts
| Feature Comparison | NewsON | Local Now |
|---|---|---|
| Markets Covered | 165+ | 225+ |
| Local Stations | 275+ | 300+ |
| Weather Updates | Every hour | Every 30 min |
| Video Archive | 48 hours | 7 days |
| Price | Free | Free |
Setting Up Local News Channels
Setting up local news channels on Roku requires creating an account and adding preferred channels to the home screen for quick access. The process involves two main steps to customize the local news viewing experience.
Creating a Free Account
A free Roku account enables personalized content recommendations and channel synchronization across devices. Users create an account by:
- Visiting roku.com/signup to enter basic information like email address and password
- Selecting location preferences to receive relevant local news suggestions
- Linking payment information (optional) for premium channel subscriptions
- Activating the Roku device by entering the displayed code on roku.com/link
Adding Channels to Your Home Screen
The home screen organization streamlines access to frequently watched local news channels. Users customize their home screen by:
- Pressing the Home button on the Roku remote
- Highlighting the desired local news channel
- Pressing the Star (*) button to open the Options menu
- Selecting “Move channel” to reposition it on the home screen
- Using the directional pad to place the channel in the preferred location
- Pressing OK to confirm the new position
- Creating custom folders for news categories
- Setting favorite channels for quick access
- Removing unused channels to declutter the interface
- Arranging channels based on viewing frequency
Getting Breaking News Alerts
Breaking news alerts on Roku provide instant notifications for significant local events through multiple customizable options:
App-Based Alerts
- NewsON sends real-time push notifications for breaking stories within 45 miles
- Local Now delivers automated alerts every 30 minutes for critical updates
- ABC News app offers customizable alerts for specific news categories
- CBS News app provides location-based emergency notifications
Alert Configuration Steps
- Open the preferred news app
- Navigate to Settings or Preferences
- Select “Notifications” or “Alerts”
- Choose alert categories: Weather Emergency Natural Disasters Breaking News
- Set geographic preferences
| Alert Type | Response Time | Coverage Range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Immediate | 0-50 miles |
| Weather | 5-15 minutes | 0-100 miles |
| Breaking News | 15-30 minutes | Local to National |
- Silent hours scheduling for notification-free periods
- Priority level settings for different news categories
- Multiple location tracking for travelers
- Alert history log for missed notifications
- One-tap access to full news coverage from alerts
The notification system integrates with Roku’s native interface, displaying alerts even when watching other content. Users receive visual indicators on their screen’s top-right corner when breaking news occurs.
Accessing Local Weather Updates
Local weather updates on Roku integrate seamlessly with news apps to provide real-time meteorological information. The Weather Channel app delivers hourly forecasts, severe weather alerts, radar maps, and live weather coverage during major events.
Key Weather Features Available:
- Interactive radar maps with zoom functionality
- 15-day extended forecasts
- Severe weather notifications
- Hurricane tracking tools
- Air quality reports
- Pollen count updates
Popular Weather Apps on Roku:
| App Name | Key Features | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AccuWeather | MinuteCast predictions, RealFeel temperature | Every 5 minutes |
| WeatherNation | 24/7 weather coverage, regional forecasts | Live updates |
| Weather Underground | Personal weather stations, hyperlocal data | Every 2.5 minutes |
- Access weather settings through the app menu
- Enter zip code or enable location services
- Select preferred temperature units (F° or C°)
- Choose alert types for notifications
- Set update frequency preferences
The Weather Channel app includes specialized sections for outdoor activities, travel planning, and health impacts. Users receive push notifications for severe weather conditions affecting their saved locations, with options to view detailed weather maps, satellite imagery, and precipitation forecasts.
AccuWeather’s MinuteCast feature provides minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts for the next 120 minutes based on exact GPS locations. WeatherNation offers continuous meteorologist-hosted coverage during severe weather events, while Weather Underground connects to 250,000+ personal weather stations for hyperlocal conditions.
Platform’s User-Friendly Interface
Roku has revolutionized how viewers access local news with its comprehensive selection of apps and features. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it simple to stay connected with community events weather updates and breaking news. Whether through dedicated local station apps or aggregator services like NewsON and Local Now viewers can create a personalized news experience that fits their needs.
By following the setup guidelines and exploring the various local news options on Roku anyone can transform their streaming device into a powerful local news hub. The platform’s commitment to providing quality local content ensures viewers won’t miss important updates from their community.
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