If you have a Roku TV, you might not realize that it can pick up free local HD channels—no cable subscription required! The built-in antenna feature lets you watch local news, sports, and other broadcast TV channels for free. Here's how it works.

Setting Up Free Local Channels

Roku TVs have a built-in antenna tuner, which means you can connect an HDTV antenna directly to your TV. Once you plug it in, just go to your Roku TV settings and scan for channels—it will search for available local stations in your area. You’ll end up with a lineup of high-definition, ad-free local channels, just like you’d get with regular cable but without the hefty bill.

Why This Feature is Awesome

• No subscription fees—it's totally free.
• Local news, sports, and primetime shows in HD.
• No extra ads beyond what’s aired by the network.
• Works alongside Roku's streaming apps so you can mix live TV with streaming services.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

While the built-in tuner is great, your channel selection depends on your location and the quality of your antenna. A good-quality antenna can pull in more channels, especially if you’re farther from major broadcast towers.

Roku also integrates these channels into its Live TV Channel Guide, so browsing them feels just like flipping through cable.

If you're looking for an easy way to watch local TV without paying for cable, your Roku TV's built-in antenna support is the answer. Plug in an HDTV antenna, scan for channels, and enjoy free HD local TV with zero monthly fees.
https://support.tcl.com/roku-tv/how-to-set-up-an-external-antenna

VK Video App for Smart TVs: Everything You Need to Know

VK Video is a popular streaming app that allows users to watch a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, live broadcasts, and educational videos, all in up to 4K resolution. The app is available on multiple Smart TV platforms, making it easy to enjoy VK content on the big screen.

Supported Smart TV Platforms

• Android TV
• Apple TV
• LG Smart TVs
• Samsung Smart TVs
• VIDAA-powered TVs (Hisense, Toshiba, etc.)

Features of VK Video

• Wide Content Selection – Access top shows, bloggers, fitness videos, music, educational content, and live sports events.
• Seamless Viewing – Start watching on your Smart TV and continue on the VK Video mobile app.
• Kid-Friendly Mode – A special collection for children with safe search and PIN-protected settings.
• High-Quality Streaming – Enjoy content in Full HD and 4K resolution.

Download Links for VK Video

You can download the VK Video app for your Smart TV from the following official sources:

• Android TV – Google Play Store
• VK FAQ (Installation Guide for Smart TVs) – VK Help Center

For other platforms like Apple TV, LG, Samsung, and VIDAA, you may need to check their respective app stores or VK's official website for installation instructions.

VKONTAKTE Video makes it easy to enjoy high-quality entertainment on your Smart TV. Whether you're watching live broadcasts or catching up on your favorite bloggers, this app brings VK's vast content library to your living room.

Dailymotion: End of support

As of 2023, Dailymotion will no longer provide or update Smart TV apps for the following platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV, PlayStation, Samsung TV, Xbox (Windows).

If you have already installed Dailymotion TV-App, you can still use it. However, there's no technical support or updates for it. It's not available for new downloads on official TV AppStores.

To keep enjoying Dailymotion content on your TV, Dailymotion recommend using Chromecast or AirPlay as alternatives.

The Complete Guide to DNS Ad-Blocking: Fire TV, Android TV, and Smart Home Setup

After months of testing different ad-blocking DNS servers across my smart home setup, I've finally found the sweet spot for blocking ads without breaking functionality. Here's everything I’ve learned about getting rid of those annoying ads on streaming devices.

Fire TV vs Android TV vs Roku: The DNS Reality Check

Here’s the part that surprised me: Fire TV and Android TV let you change DNS settings directly on the device—while Roku locks you out. But let’s be real: setting DNS at the router level is smarter anyway.

• Fire TV Setup: Settings → Network → Your Wi-Fi → Advanced → Change DNS
• Android TV Setup: Settings → Device Preferences → About → Status → IP Settings → Static → DNS 1 & DNS 2
• Roku: No option. Router-level setup is your only path.

Pro Tip: Skip setting DNS on every device. Set it at the router level and every device—your TV, phone, tablet, even that forgotten smart plug—gets ad-blocking instantly.

Real-World DNS Testing Results

I've been running these DNS servers on 2 Fire TVs, an Android TV, and a swarm of smart devices. Here’s what works:

AdGuard DNS (My Current Winner)

176.103.130.130 / 176.103.130.131
Blocks 80% of YouTube ads on Fire TV, no streaming issues, family-approved.

Quad9 (Reliable Backup)

9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112
Strong on security, mild on ad-blocking. Great fallback if AdGuard hiccups.

OpenDNS (Mixed Bag)

208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220
Better for parental controls than ad-blocking. Still catches some ads.

Alternate DNS (The Underdog)

76.76.19.19 / 76.223.122.150
IPv6: 2602:fcbc::ad / 2602:fcbc:2::ad
Surprisingly effective, quick response times. Check out: alternate-dns.com

Cloudflare (Speed Demon)

1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
Blazing fast, zero ad-blocking. Use with their malware DNS (1.1.1.2 / 1.0.0.2) for added safety.

Router-Level Setup: The Smart Way

Why this rules:

• Set once, forget forever
• All devices get protected, even Rokus!
• No need to mess with individual device settings
• Guest devices are covered too

How to set it up:

1. Open your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Find the DNS settings (under Network, Internet, or Advanced)
3. Swap out your ISP’s DNS with your preferred ad-blocking DNS
4. Save settings and reboot the router
5. Test on any device – you should see fewer (or zero) ads quickly

What Actually Gets Blocked?

• ✅ Banner ads (90–95%)
• ✅ Pop-ups
• ✅ Some YouTube ads (Fire TV only)
• ✅ Trackers and malware domains
• ❌ YouTube ads on phones (still tricky)
• ❌ Hulu ads (same domain as content)
• ❌ Social media sponsored posts

Heads-Up: Some apps might act up. If Netflix or Hulu misbehaves, switch back to your regular DNS temporarily for testing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Slow loading? Try a closer DNS like AdGuard or Quad9.
• Broken sites? Might be over-blocking. Switch to a lighter DNS or add exceptions.
• Still seeing ads? DNS helps, but browser add-ons like uBlock Origin or tools like Pi-hole can catch the rest.

My Honest Take

DNS ad-blocking won’t kill every ad, but it takes out 80% with barely any effort. My setup has been rock solid, especially on Fire TV.

The router-level approach is 100% worth the 10-minute setup. Connect a new device? It’s instantly protected. Done and done.

Quick Start:

Start with AdGuard DNS (176.103.130.130 / 176.103.130.131) at your router. If you hit issues with specific apps, set Quad9 as your secondary. Easy, powerful, and maintenance-free.
Got a killer DNS to recommend? Drop a comment—I'm always testing new options.

June 2021 — Google has officially removed the Google Play Movies & TV app from Roku devices and select smart TVs. This change affects users who previously accessed their purchased or rented content directly through the app.

Why It Was Removed

Google is streamlining its video services and shifting focus toward YouTube as the primary hub for digital content. Instead of maintaining separate apps, users are now encouraged to access their movies and TV shows on the YouTube platform.

How to Watch Your Content

• Via YouTube: Your purchased titles appear under the "Purchases" tab in the YouTube app.
• Screen Mirroring: Use your smartphone or tablet to mirror Google Play content to Roku.
• Mobile & Desktop: The Google Play Movies & TV app still works on mobile and desktop, allowing content access and casting.

The Bigger Picture

This move signals a broader trend in streaming: fewer standalone apps, more integration. As services consolidate, platforms like YouTube become central hubs for digital entertainment.

Before your next movie night, make sure your YouTube app is up to date!

Why You Might Want to Block Ads on Roku TV

On average, a person spends 40 minutes a day watching TV ads. Meanwhile, we see up to 10,000 ads online daily. The numbers speak for themselves—Roku ads consume both time and attention.

Reasons to Block Roku TV Ads

• Prevent Online Tracking: To offer users targeted ads, Roku relies on cross-site tracking. This means the streaming provider analyzes your browsing habits by checking cookies and cache to determine relevant ads. Using a robust ad blocker or DNS filtering solution can help you avoid online tracking effortlessly.
• Avoid Content Interruptions: Ads interfere with your Roku TV streaming experience. You may get 5-10 ads during a movie and around 4 ads in a single TV show episode, disrupting your entertainment.
• Filter Inappropriate Content: Some Roku ads are unsuitable for children, and unfortunately, you can't skip or regulate them effectively. Ads may include sexual, violent, or other inappropriate content. Using an ad blocker or DNS filtering can help protect your family.

Solution: Limit Ads on Roku Device

Unfortunately, Roku does not support traditional ad-blocking applications. However, there are still effective ways to reduce ads on Roku devices.

Method 1: Adjust Roku Privacy Settings

• 1. Head to your Roku device's Settings section.
• 2. Select Privacy options.
• 3. Select Advertising and choose the Limit ad tracking option. You can also reset the advertising identifier.
• 4. Restart your Roku device.
• 5. Launch the streaming platform you want and enjoy a reduced-ad experience.

Method 2: Use DNS-Based Ad Blocking (AdGuard DNS)

Another way to block Roku ads is by using a DNS filtering solution like AdGuard DNS. This method works by redirecting ad-related requests to a DNS server that blocks them.

• 1. Log into your router's admin panel.
• 2. Locate the DNS settings section.
• 3. Replace the default DNS with AdGuard DNS servers:
  • Primary DNS: 94.140.14.14
  • Secondary DNS: 94.140.15.15
• 4. Save the changes and restart your router.
• 5. Your Roku device should now filter out most ads.

Note: Some users have reported that Roku has changed its ad-serving domains, making DNS-based blocking less effective. If you experience issues, consider using AdGuard Home or Pi-hole for more control over ad filtering.

Final Thoughts

While Roku ads can be intrusive, there are ways to limit them. Adjusting privacy settings and using DNS-based ad blocking solutions like AdGuard DNS can help reduce unwanted ads and improve your streaming experience.

Roku, a popular streaming device, is known for its user-friendly interface but faces criticism for its strict no side-loading policy. This limitation, which prevents users from manually installing apps outside the official Channel Store, raises questions about the balance between security and user freedom.

Understanding the Issue: Side-loading involves installing apps manually, bypassing the official app store. Roku's closed ecosystem limits installations to its official store, restricting user customization.

Roku's Stance

Roku's decision to prohibit side-loading is driven by a commitment to maintaining a secure environment. By controlling app installations, the company aims to protect users from potential security risks tied to unauthorized apps.

Critics' View

Critics argue that this restriction limits the device's potential, emphasizing the importance of user autonomy. The debate centers on finding the right balance between security and user empowerment.

Alternatives for Advanced Users

Users seeking a more open environment may explore alternative streaming devices like Android TV or Amazon Fire TV, which support side-loading. However, potential security concerns should be considered when opting for more open platforms.

Roku's no side-loading policy reflects its dedication to security but prompts discussions about user freedom. Choosing between Roku and alternative devices depends on individual preferences, with security and customization considerations playing key roles in the decision-making process.