If you have cut the cord and bought a Roku device, you can still access your local TV networks. Here’s how to watch local channels on Roku for free! The Drawbacks of Using Roku to Watch Local TV Most importantly, due to various licensing and distribution deals, the local TV channels you access through your Roku are not necessarily going to be identical to that which you’d receive through cable TV or an OTA antenna. The issue is especially prevalent when it comes to news and movies.