What Roku Channel is and how subscriptions work
Roku Channel is a streaming service built into Roku devices (the boxes and sticks that connect to your TV) and available through the Roku app on phones and computers. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, Roku Channel itself is free to use — but it offers both free content and paid premium channels you can add on top of it.
When you subscribe to a premium channel through Roku Channel, you are paying that channel's publisher directly, not Roku. Roku handles the billing and takes a cut, but the subscription goes to the content owner. This means a Showtime subscription through Roku Channel costs the same as buying it directly from Showtime, and your subscription works only within Roku Channel — not on Showtime's own app or website unless you also pay separately there.
You can add and remove premium channels whenever you want. There is no contract, and cancellation takes effect immediately. Your bill updates the next billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Roku Channel itself is free and includes ad-supported movies and TV shows, but premium channels (Showtime, Starz, Paramount+, and others) cost extra and are billed monthly through your Roku account.
- Each premium channel has its own price, ranging from around $5 to $15 per month depending on the service, and you pay only for the ones you add.
- Subscriptions through Roku Channel work only in Roku Channel — they do not give you access to the same content on the channel's own app or website.
- You can cancel any premium channel at any time without penalty, and the cancellation takes effect right away for future billing.
- Roku Channel is available on Roku devices, phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but the premium channels you subscribe to work only on devices where Roku Channel is installed.
What content is free versus what costs money
The free tier of Roku Channel includes thousands of movies and TV episodes, but they are ad-supported. You watch commercials, similar to broadcast television. The selection changes regularly as Roku rotates content in and out.
Premium channels add ad-free (or mostly ad-free) content from specific publishers. For example, a Showtime subscription through Roku Channel gives you access to Showtime's full library of original series, movies, and sports within Roku Channel only. A Paramount+ subscription gives you Paramount content. Each channel is separate, so you choose which ones to pay for based on what you want to watch.
Some premium channels offer a free trial period — usually 7 days — before your first charge. Roku will tell you the trial length before you confirm the subscription. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, you will be charged.
How much premium channels cost
Premium channel prices vary by service and change over time. Common examples include Showtime (around $11 per month), Starz (around $9 per month), and Paramount+ (around $6 to $12 per month depending on the ad level you choose). Roku Channel also offers some channels at lower price points, and occasionally runs promotional rates for new subscribers.
You can see the exact price of any channel before you subscribe. Roku displays the monthly cost and the date your first charge will occur. If a free trial is available, that appears too.
Your bill is charged to the payment method linked to your Roku account — usually a credit or debit card. You can change your payment method in your Roku account settings at any time.
How to add and remove premium channels
To add a premium channel, open Roku Channel, browse or search for the channel you want, and select it. Roku will show you the price, trial information (if any), and a button to subscribe. Confirm, and the subscription starts immediately. If there is a free trial, you will not be charged until the trial ends.
To cancel a premium channel, go to your Roku account settings (on the Roku device or at roku.com), find the subscription in your account, and select cancel. The cancellation takes effect right away, and you will not be charged again. You keep access to that channel's content until the end of your current billing period.
You can also manage subscriptions through the Roku mobile app or at roku.com on a computer. All three methods reach the same account, so changes show up everywhere.
What devices Roku Channel works on
Roku Channel is built into all Roku devices — the streaming boxes and sticks Roku sells. It is also available as a free app on iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Android tablets, and computers (through a web browser at therokuchannel.com). Some smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and other manufacturers have Roku Channel pre-installed.
Premium channels you subscribe to work on any device where you are signed into your Roku account and Roku Channel is installed. If you subscribe on a Roku device, you can watch on your phone too, as long as you use the same Roku account. If you cancel your subscription, it stops working on all devices.
How billing and cancellation work
Premium channels renew automatically on the same date each month. Your Roku account will charge your payment method on the renewal date. You can see your renewal dates and upcoming charges in your Roku account settings under "Subscriptions" or "Manage Subscriptions."
If you cancel before the renewal date, you will not be charged again, but you keep access through the end of the current billing period. For example, if you subscribe on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you keep access until the 15th of the next month, then it stops.
If your payment method fails or expires, Roku will try to charge it again. If it continues to fail, your subscription may be paused or cancelled. Roku typically sends an email warning before this happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Roku Channel premium subscriptions on my phone if I subscribed on my TV?
Yes, as long as you sign into the Roku app on your phone with the same Roku account. Your subscriptions follow your account, not the device. You can watch on any device where Roku Channel is installed and you are logged in.
If I subscribe to Showtime through Roku Channel, can I watch it on the Showtime app?
No. A Roku Channel subscription works only in Roku Channel. If you want to watch on Showtime's own app or website, you would need to pay Showtime directly. The two subscriptions are separate.
What happens if I cancel a premium channel mid-month?
You keep access through the end of your current billing period, then it stops. You will not be charged again after you cancel. Your next renewal date is shown in your account settings.
Are there any long-term contracts or early cancellation fees?
No. All Roku Channel premium subscriptions are month-to-month with no contract. You can cancel anytime without penalty, and the cancellation takes effect immediately for future billing.
Can I get a refund if I cancel within a few days?
Roku's refund policy depends on how long you have had the subscription and which channel you subscribed to. Some channels offer refunds within a short window if you cancel quickly; others do not. Check your Roku account or contact Roku support to ask about a specific subscription.