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The Roku Channel added 10 free, ad-supported iHeartRadio music channels on November 3, 2022. They were curated live streams inside The Roku Channel’s Live TV guide—not 10 separate downloadable apps. The original launch was reported by BGR and confirmed by iHeartRadio in December 2022.
If you are looking for them now, search the current Live TV guide rather than relying on the old channel numbers. Roku’s lineup and labels can change by time, region, licensing agreements and device.
The 10 iHeart channels added in 2022
The launch expanded Roku and iHeartRadio’s existing relationship with genre-based, linear music programming. The descriptions below summarize the launch coverage; playlists and artist rotations were not fixed guarantees.
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| Historical channel name | Programming focus | Historical guide number* |
|---|---|---|
| iHeart 2000s Radio (listed as “iHeart 2k” by BGR) | Popular music from the 2000s | 1159 |
| iHeart 2010s Radio | Popular music from the 2010s | 161 |
| iHeart Country Workout Radio | Up-tempo country music | 1142 |
| iHeartRadio Real Oldies | Older hits, especially 1960s and 1970s material | 1185 |
| iHeart Sunny Radio | Feel-good, easy-listening-oriented programming | 1166 |
| iHeartRadio Hit Nation Jr | Mainstream hits aimed at family listening | 1132 |
| iHeartRadio All My Jams | R&B hits and throwbacks | 1151 |
| iHeartRadio Yacht Rock | Soft-rock and yacht-rock staples | 1162 |
| iHeart Funkytown Radio | Funk and soul | 1149 |
| iHeartRadio Rock Nation | Classic and contemporary rock | 1153 |
*The numbers were published by iHeartRadio for the 2022 guide and are archival. They should not be treated as current channel identifiers.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
What “free” meant
The channels did not require a separate paid subscription, but they were not an ad-free music service. They were advertising-supported, programmed streams: you selected a channel, and the service selected the songs. There was no promise of a particular track, album, artist, offline playback or full on-demand control.
That makes them useful for background listening, but different from a personal music subscription. A listener who wants playlists, a specific song immediately, or uninterrupted playback will generally need a dedicated service or paid plan.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
How to find the channels on Roku
- Open The Roku Channel.
- Choose Live TV and open the live channel guide.
- Browse the music category, or search for iHeart by name or with Roku voice search.
- Select the available channel you want to play.
Roku’s Live TV guide instructions have also described opening the guide from the Live TV tile or pressing the left arrow while watching linear content. Menu labels vary by Roku OS version, device, account region and interface redesign.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe original announcement referenced Roku devices, The Roku Channel’s web and mobile experiences, Amazon Fire TV, select Samsung smart TVs and other supported platforms. Compatibility is not universal or necessarily unchanged; check the app and guide on your device.
Rank #3
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Are all 10 still available in 2026?
Do not assume that every 2022 channel remains under the same name. Roku’s current partner documentation still lists a broad iHeart selection, including 80s, 90s, 2K, 2010s, Alternative Radio, Classic Rock Channel, Country, Country Workout, Hit Nation, R&B Jams, Real Oldies, Rock Nation, Sunny Radio and Yacht Rock. However, that list does not reproduce every original launch label exactly. For example, R&B Jams appears where the older announcement used All My Jams, and 2K may replace “2000s Radio.”
Availability can also differ outside the United States, whose guide documentation is the basis for much of Roku’s published information. Licensing, channel removals, renaming and regional rules can all affect what appears.
Rank #4
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
If an old channel number fails
Numbers are not durable identifiers. Open the Live TV guide, search “iHeart,” and check the Music category instead. If channels are missing, confirm that you are in The Roku Channel rather than a different app, restart the app, and check for Roku system updates. A factory reset should not be the first troubleshooting step.
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How these channels compare with other music options
- Spotify: stronger for personal libraries and playlists; its free tier is also ad-supported.
- Pandora: better for personalized stations with less playlist management.
- Apple Music: suited to on-demand albums and Apple-device households.
- Amazon Music: useful for Prime members or users already in Amazon’s ecosystem.
- TuneIn: better for live radio, news, sports and local stations.
- Vevo or XITE: better when the priority is music video rather than audio-only listening.
Roku has identified these and other services as music options on its platform in its music-hub guide. Current app support, pricing and plan features should be checked separately.
Best Value
- Streaming made easy: Roku Express lets you stream free, live and premium TV over the Internet—right to your TV. It’s perfect for new users, secondary TVs and easy gifting—but powerful enough for seasoned pros
- Quick and easy setup: Just plug it into your TV with the included High Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the internet to get started
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Compact and power-packed, you’ll stream your favorites with ease; from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to cable alternatives like Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue, enjoy the most talked about TV across free and paid channels
- Low cost, no extra fees: For under $30, Roku Express streaming device includes a High Speed HDMI Cable—and there’s no monthly equipment fee; with access to free TV on hundreds of channels, there’s plenty to stream without spending extra
- Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels
The practical takeaway
The headline refers to a real November 2022 expansion: 10 free, ad-supported iHeart linear channels inside The Roku Channel. For casual background music, search the current Live TV guide and use whatever iHeart channels are offered in your region. For specific songs, playlists, offline listening or ad-free playback, use a dedicated music app instead.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
