10 hidden gem Roku channels you need to add today (2022)

Don’t have time to browse through thousands of channels in the Roku Channel Store? We don’t blame you.

We’ve scoured every corner of the Channel Store to highlight 10 hidden gem channels you probably haven’t added to your Roku device yet. Read on, watch the video below, and you just might find your next favorite channel. Or if you want TV show recommendations, check out our monthly list of best TV show premieres!

Free hidden gem Roku channels

The CW

Let’s kick it off with The CW.

If you’re a fan of shows like Riverdale or Dynasty, or DC Comics series like Supergirl or Batwoman, this channel is a must have.

With The CW, you can binge watch full seasons of select shows for free, as well as watch the latest episodes of every prime time show the day after broadcast.

You can even watch extras like previews for upcoming episodes, behind the scenes content, cast interviews and more.

Audacy

Audacy is your audio home for music, news, sports, and podcasts that you love. It’s easy to discover new radio stations by music genre, sports talk, or news radio. Plus, they curate thousands of the most popular podcasts from around the country.

One cool feature is the ability to search for radio stations by location. So, whether you’re looking for your local stations or your favorite morning show from back home, Audacy has you covered.

Xumo

Xumo is a hidden gem channel that brings you entertainment from both digital and more traditional networks, presented in both a live TV channel guide and on-demand formats.

Browse your way through almost 200 channels, find live events from popular news and sports networks, watch viral videos, full TV series, feature length movies, and more.

Oh, did we mention Xumo is totally free?

Journy

Any travel junkies out there?

Journy is a channel that lives at the intersection of travel, art, and culture. Add this channel and you can expect to see series and shorts on global travel, local cuisine from around the world, and even stories about cultural history.

Their programming is produced by a network of travel filmmakers and creators, so you’ll find Journy’s content to be equal parts educational and entertaining.

NewsON

NewsON and is a must-have if you want to watch live and local news.

Simply input your city or ZIP code to get a stream of relevant news, weather, and traffic from your favorite local news broadcasts.

What’s neat about NewsON is that you can switch to different locations around the country. So, if you’re missing your hometown newscasters while you’re hundreds of miles away, this is the channel for you.

Subscription channels

The Criterion Channel ($10.99/month)

Brought to you by the The Criterion Collection, The Criterion Channel is a movie lover’s dream. With constantly refreshed selections of Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent movies, there are always new titles to choose from.

With a subscription, you get access to Criterion’s entire streaming library of more than 1,000 classic and contemporary films.

If you consider yourself a movie buff, do yourself a favor and check out The Criterion Channel.

Frndly TV (starts at $6.99/month)

Frndly TV’s mission is to give you feel-good, quality TV for less.

They offer over 20 live TV channels, including the Hallmark Channel, Game Show Network, and The Weather Channel for an affordable price. Explore an easy to use channel guide, unlimited cloud DVR, and multiple pricing tiers that you can cancel any time with no contracts or hidden fees.

If you’re someone who’s still paying for cable, but only watches a handful of channels, Frndly TV is what you’re looking for.

MasterClass (starts at $15/month)

MasterClass allows you to learn from the world’s best in the comfort of your home, including classes in business, cooking, music, sports and more.

Learn shooting from Steph Curry, singing from Christina Aguilera, or writing from Malcolm Gladwell. Each class features short video lessons, so you can learn at your own pace and schedule.

It’s never too late to start learning, so find a class and get going!

Philo (starts at $25/month)

With Philo, you get 24/7 live TV without any of the headaches of being a cable subscriber.

The streaming service allows you to watch over live 60 channels, including Discovery, MTV, Food Network, and more at a super affordable price. Philo doesn’t offer sports networks right now, but they do have a live TV channel guide, on-demand options, and unlimited cloud DVR.

If your live TV service isn’t doing the trick, or you’re looking to save a few bucks each month, Philo is up your alley.

Boomerang ($4.99/month)

It’s always Saturday morning on Boomerang.

From classic toons like Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and The Jetsons, to original programming like New Looney Tunes, Boomerang is fun for cartoon lovers of any age. They even have a bunch of full-length movies and curated playlists for holidays and fan-favorite characters.

Next time you’re looking for some animated entertainment, try Boomerang.

Looking for even more streaming gems? Check out these 10 ways to watch free movies on the Roku platform.

Happy Streaming!