Roku Just Added 5 More Free Channels for Customer
Roku has been busy this month, augmenting its already sizable free channel library for customers. After previously adding nine free channels earlier in February, the platform has expanded again.
This week, Roku quietly added five new channels, effective immediately, according to Cord Cutters News. As of now, the service offers over 500 channels for no cost to viewers.
Which free channels did Roku add?
The Cord Cutters News report lists the following new offerings:
- 145 Canada TV
- 916 CNN Express
- 946 Sober IVvi
- 998 Filmex Comedia
- 1014 Filmex accion
Canada TV provides a look at popular content from north of the border, including news programs and entertainment shows. CNN Express looks at current events and delivers the news to viewers in a quick, condensed format.
Sober IVvi offers programming for individuals going through recovery, while Filmex Comedia and accion are Spanish-language channels featuring comedy and action films.
What does this mean for Roku?
Luke Bouma of Cord Cutters News broke down what Roku's latest move means in its continued evolvement as a streaming platform.
"These five channels reflect Roku’s ongoing strategy to broaden its free offerings across genres and demographics," Bouma wrote. "By incorporating international programming like Canadian and Spanish-language content, alongside specialized niches such as wellness and condensed news, the platform continues to appeal to a wide audience. The additions come amid frequent updates to The Roku Channel, where new live feeds regularly appear to keep the experience fresh."
About Roku
Founded by businessman Anthony Wood in 2002, Roku was initially pioneered as a streaming platform to TV. The Roku Channel debuted cost-free in 2017.
In August 2025, Roku launched Howdy, a $2.99 per month streaming service offering ad-free viewing of more than 3,000 titles.
“The opportunity for Howdy was — if you just look at what’s going on in the streaming world with streaming services, they’re getting more expensive. They keep raising prices, and they keep adding larger and larger ad loads,” Wood explained at the Variety Entertainment Summit last month, via TechCrunch. “And so, the part of the market where it actually started — low-cost and no ads — is gone now. There’s no streaming services that address that portion of the market.”