Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Roku Channel offers free live TV, on-demand shows, and movies. You can watch on almost any TV, computer, tablet, or phone. More than 500 live channels are available. The name Roku has become synonymous with streaming devices, but it has quietly become one of the best streaming services, too. For eight years, The Roku Channel has been one of the better free streaming options available. It hosts live content plus on-demand TV shows and movies, all for no charge (Roku says it has "thousands of free TV shows and hit movies," plus more than 500 live TV channels). Also: Did Roku rearrange your home screen? You may be able to switch back - here's how If you already have a Roku device, there's a good chance it came with the Roku app already installed. But if you don't have a Roku device or just never got around to checking out the channel, it's worth venturing over to see what you've been missing. I can honestly say I've never really tried to see what the app had to offer, and now that I have, I don't know why I waited so long. Screenshot by Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET / Roku Live TV category The live TV category had content like Law & Order, Storage Wars, and Cops; channels devoted to the MLB and NFL; classic shows like Gunsmoke and Little House on the Prairie; live news shows from Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC; and quite a bit of kids' content. Also: Your Roku TV has hidden settings and menu screens - here's how to access them It honestly felt a lot like the cable I remember growing up with. There was even a live sports category with a handful of college football games. On-demand shows and movies The on-demand TV show and movie sections were just as robust, offering things like Pawn Stars, The First 48, a large swath of documentaries, It, Titanic, and more. Also: Own a Roku TV? 6 settings I always change to give it an instant performance boost Other free streaming services exist, like Tubi, Fubo, and Fandango at Home, but after checking out the various offerings, I'd put The Roku Channel up against any of them. Always evolving While the app has a pretty impressive lineup as is, The Roku Channel's offerings are always evolving. Just last week, it added more than a dozen new channels, including Gaming Center, which hosts video game live streams and tutorials, esports highlights, and behind-the-scenes looks at the gaming industry; Yahoo Sports Network, which hosts content like sports highlights and fantasy tips; the Tyler Perry channel, with drama, comedy, and motivational stories; and In Depth Graham, with discussions on politics, culture, and global affairs. Also: Own a Roku TV? This 30-second routine will keep it running like new You will need to create an account, but the app is completely free. There's a web browser version, an Android version, an iOS version, and of course, a version for the Roku OS, so you can use the channel on nearly any device. A small amount of content does require a subscription to an additional service, like HBO Max or Hallmark, but most don't. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.