If you have ever watched your favourite shows on the Roku channel, I am sure you might have been annoyed by too many ads and commercials. But you are not alone. That would perhaps make you wonder - Does Roku channel have ads?
Yes, Roku comes with ads. But, then – is there a way to watch Roku channel without ads? If you are really tired of the repetitive commercials that ruin your viewing experience, this guide should help you find the best ways to remove Roku channel ads.
You may also be interested in Roku PlayON support and its limitations.
Does the Roku Channel Have Ads?
Yes, the Roku channel has ads, and it has so many ads that may annoy you. But then, Roku is a free streaming service. The only way that the service can get revenue is through commercials. That would mean you will find different genres of ads as part of the deal.
Roku comes with several ads on its home screen. It also pops up as ads when you are watching your shows on the service. Roku community is clear about this – there is no official way to remove the ads.
That is because the only way the ads can be stopped is to offer a paid subscription service. Roku does not offer a subscription plan, and it is a completely free service.
Of course, the heavy dose of commercials can annoy you and even ruin your pleasure of watching your favourite shows. If that is the case with you, Roku offers you the option to configure your ad preferences.
This may not exactly help you with how to skip ads on the Roku channel, but it can help you remove some types of ads.
You can configure your ad preferences by following the steps below:
- Press the Home button on the Roku remote
- Scroll down and select Settings
- Select Privacy
- Select Advertising
- Select Sensitive ad content
- Select one or more sensitive ad categories that you don’t want to watch
- Press the OK button on the Roku remote
You can block the ads that belong to the following categories:
- Alcohol, Smoking & Gambling
- Horror
- Mature / Sexual Content
- Medication & Supplements
- Politics
- Religion & Spirituality
- Violence
Although the Roku Channel provides a method to help you customize the ads, it's impossible to totally remove them officially.
Note: The method will generally work only for the homescreen ads. It may not be able to block video ads or the ads that are shown on your Roku apps.
Why It's Important to Watch the Roku Channel Without Ads?
Well, there may be several reasons that would make it important to remove ads.
Skipping ads is important for a few of the following reasons:
1. Prevention of online tracking: Many ads track your viewing habits and thus get access to your personal information. By removing the ads, you stay clear of it and thus safeguard your privacy.
2. Avoiding content interruptions: Ads can break the immersive experience. Imagine you are watching an intense thriller, and the ad may disrupt the immersion. This can completely ruin your watching experience.
3. Protection of children: Some ads may be completely inappropriate and not suitable for children. Removing these ads can help you protect your children from inappropriate exposure.
4. Saving your mobile data: To a lesser extent, ad-free content can help you save significantly on your mobile data.
5. Prevent buffering: Ads have been known to cause buffering. Removing ads can help you enjoy a streamlined and smoother streaming experience.
Also, check how to fix when your Roku channel is not working.
How to Get Rid of Ads on the Roku Channel?
Well, we will check a few options that can be helpful in removing the ads from a Roku channel.
On the Roku Channel App for TV
There is no official option that can be helpful in stopping ads on the Roku channel. You can set ad preferences and thus may reduce the frequency of ads.
Roku lets you hide an ad on its platform. The ads on the home screen can be hidden by following the steps below:
- Select the ad using the directional pad on your Roku remote
- Press the Star button on the Roku remote
- Select Hide this ad
- Press the OK button on the Roku remote
This will remove the ads you selected temporarily.
However, a new ad will replace the ad you have chosen to hide. That apart, you cannot go on hiding ads as you please. You can only hide a specific number of ads per day.
There are ads on Roku when you have the screensaver on, and they cannot be avoided. If you want to remove them, you will need to keep your Roku in constant use.
On the Roku Channel Web for PC
Well, that was all about TV. Even on the web version, Roku comes with frequent ad breaks. In fact, there have been reports that there are 3 minutes of ads for every 7 minutes of content! That can indeed be too much and can result in a lot of annoyance.
Roku does not have any option for the premium subscription tier. That is why you need to use third-party tools for removing the ads.
Method 1: Use KeepStreams for Roku
One of the best options to remove the ads from the Roku content is to download the Roku titles. You can use a professional Roku video downloader for this purpose.
Of course, there are several downloaders that promise to do it, but our preference lies with KeepStreams for the Roku Channel.
KeepStreams offers an excellent and robust download experience. The high-quality video downloads and the ability to keep the downloads forever make it a promising option. Even the trial version offers a host of advanced features when compared to the competing tools in its genre.
Because of the built-in browser, it's also very easy to use KeepStreams to remove ads and download Roku Channel movies:
Click on Download Now, and the video will be downloaded instantly.
Method 2: Use an ad blocker
An ad blocker has been one of the most common methods for blocking ads on several platforms. You can use it on Roku as well if you are using Roku on your PC. The ad blocker is capable of controlling every sort of ad. But it won't help you download videos from the Roku Channel.
Based on the discussions on Reddit, Pi-Hole is a program worth trying. It works by changing the DNS server and is able to hide ads on the Roku Channel completely.
Here is how an ad blocker will work:
The ad blocker will intercept the web-based traffic. It will then filter out the elements that are recognised as ads. Once the ads are detected, the ad blocker will prevent the ad from loading.
The ad blocker comes with several positive aspects. It just needs you to install a simple browser extension, and thus makes it easy to install. It can also work across several applications, not just Roku.
However, it comes with a few drawbacks as well. It might confuse certain elements like site features and video players, as it adds and blocks them. It may also fail to work in the case of embedded video ads.
More importantly, such a professional ad removal tool requires certain technical expertise. Therefore, please be cautious when following the guide to change your DNS server settings.
Method 3: Modify Your Router Settings
Another method that can be handy in getting rid of ads from the Roku channel is to modify your router settings. This can be the right option to check if you are tech-savvy enough. You can use the method to block the ad domains from your network.
The steps used for the purpose include:
- Access your router's admin panel (usually via 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
- Navigate to Access Restrictions, Parental Controls, or Blacklist/URL Filtering.
- Add known ad server domains to the blocked list.
However, this method can be quite complicated and may not be easy for everyone. A wrong step can make your entire service collapse. That apart, the method may not be able to block all the ads. If the ads are served through dynamic domains, the method will not work in blocking your ads. It may require constant updating as ad servers change.
You may also consider recording Roku videos, but the recorded version will include ads.
FAQs
Q1. Can I subscribe to the Roku Channel to skip ads?
A1. No. Roku Channel doesn’t offer a subscription plan to remove ads. It uses ads as the only means of revenue generation.
Q2. Where will I see these Roku Channel ads?
A2. You will always see ads popping up:
- Before playing a video
- During episodes or movies
- On the Home Screen and banners
Ads may also appear on the screensaver.
Q3. Is it legal to use KeepStreams to download Roku Channel videos?
A3. Yes, for personal use only. Downloading for redistribution or commercial use is strictly prohibited. Always respect copyright laws and terms of service in your region.
Conclusion
So, does the Roku Channel have ads? Absolutely. While it's a free and accessible platform, those commercials can be distracting and intrusive. If you're looking for a Roku Channel without ads, there are several options available—from using KeepStreams to downloading your content ad-free, to deploying ad blockers or adjusting your network settings.
Whether you're streaming on your TV or PC, knowing how to get rid of ads on the Roku Channel can significantly improve your viewing experience. With tools like KeepStreams Roku Channel Downloader, you can finally enjoy your favorite content your way, without interruptions.