Tubi is better known for free, ad-supported movies and shows, but its U.S. live-TV guide now lists 262 unique channels. That count includes national and local news, sports feeds, classic television, true crime, movies, kids’ programming and niche interests. The most useful way to choose among them is by viewing need—not by pretending one channel is universally “best.”
The picks below are a practical shortlist checked against Tubi’s current guide on October 1, 2026. Channels, schedules and local availability can change, and “live” may mean a continuous scheduled feed rather than every event being broadcast live.
See Tubi’s current U.S. channel list.
What Tubi means by “channels”
Tubi’s live channels are linear streams: you open one and watch whatever is scheduled, much like a cable channel. They are different from selecting an individual on-demand movie or episode. Tubi also has branded hubs and occasional live events, but a channel carrying an NFL, NHL or boxing brand is not automatically a pass to every game or premium event.
The service is free because it is supported by advertising. Guest viewing may be available, while signing in adds watch history, recommendations, watchlists and viewing progress across supported devices. See Tubi’s explanation of its free service.
#1 Best Overall
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- 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.
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Quick picks: the best Tubi channel for each need
| Need | Best first pick | Why it stands out | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| National news | ABC News Live | Continuous general-news coverage | Not a full cable-news replacement |
| Breaking news | LiveNOW from FOX | Rolling live developments and updates | Tone and schedule can vary |
| Sports variety | FOX Sports on Tubi | Recognizable broad sports brand | Does not carry every live game |
| NFL programming | NFL Channel | League-focused analysis, features and archives | Not every NFL broadcast |
| Boxing | DAZN Ringside | Dedicated boxing programming | Not full DAZN access |
| True crime | World’s Most Evil Killers | Constant crime-documentary focus | Mature subject matter |
| Nostalgia | The Price Is Right: The Barker Era | Easy, familiar background viewing | Narrow format |
| Local coverage | Your local station feed | Market-specific news without cable | Depends on city and device |
| Children’s viewing | Tubi Kids | Separate kids environment and controls | Use settings rather than assuming every family-labeled feed is suitable |
Best news channels
ABC News Live
Start here for a continuous national-news stream, headline updates and live coverage without paying for a cable-news package. It is designed for staying current, not for a deep panel-discussion schedule.
NBC News NOW
NBC News NOW is a strong alternative for rolling updates, breaking coverage and general news. Try it alongside ABC News Live; the better choice depends on the story and the presentation you prefer.
LiveNOW from FOX
This is the pick for viewers who want a more continuous breaking-news style, including live developments from local and national scenes. Its mix can change, so treat it as a rolling feed rather than a fixed nightly program.
Scripps News
Scripps News provides another conventional national-news option. It is useful when you want a structured news organization’s feed but do not need the opinion-heavy format of some paid cable channels.
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Best sports channels
FOX Sports on Tubi
This is the best general starting point for sports fans because it offers a broad, familiar brand. It is a curated channel, not a replacement for a paid service carrying every league and regional game.
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.
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NFL Channel
NFL Channel suits football fans who want league features, analysis, documentaries and archival programming. Do not interpret its presence as access to every Sunday, Monday or Thursday game.
NHL
Hockey viewers get league-oriented programming and whatever selected live or replay content the current schedule offers. Check the channel’s listing before planning around a particular game.
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PGA TOUR
Golf fans can leave this feed on for tournament-related coverage, features and selected windows. A channel name alone does not guarantee that a specific tournament is live.
fubo Sports Network and Stadium
Choose fubo Sports Network for variety across sports. Stadium is especially useful for college-sports coverage and sports talk when those programs are on the schedule.
DAZN Ringside and beIN Sports XTRA
DAZN Ringside is the clearest niche choice for boxing programming; it does not include every premium DAZN event. beIN Sports XTRA is useful for international-sports fans, particularly those following soccer and related programming. Tubi’s sports category also lists channels such as MLB, Top Rank Classics, PokerGO, Outside, Racing America, NHRA TV, Women’s Sports Network, PAC-12 Insider, Real Madrid, DAZN Women’s Football and HBO Boxing. Verify event availability in the current guide.
See Sports on Tubi for the current sports grouping.
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.
Best crime and reality channels
World’s Most Evil Killers
This is the strongest first stop for a dedicated true-crime stream, with documentary-led coverage of notorious cases. It is intended for mature viewers.
FBI Files
FBI Files fits viewers who prefer case reports and law-enforcement documentary storytelling. Tubi’s guide has identified it as a recently added channel, so confirm that it remains in your market.
TV One Crime & Justice
TV One Crime & Justice adds more case-focused documentary programming and works well as an alternative when you want variety beyond serial-killer series.
Cheaters
Cheaters is a guilty-pleasure reality pick rather than investigative journalism. Choose it for dramatic, easy-to-follow entertainment.
Tubi’s recommended linear channels page is a useful place to spot featured or newly added feeds.
Best classic television and comfort viewing
The Price Is Right: The Barker Era
For low-stakes daytime viewing, The Price Is Right: The Barker Era is unusually specific and dependable in concept: familiar game-show episodes that work while eating, relaxing or doing chores.
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
Classic-TV, sitcom and drama feeds
Tubi rotates additional classic television, sitcom and drama channels. Use the current guide rather than an old list, because a channel can be renamed, removed or made unavailable in a particular market.
Best movie channels
Tubi’s live section organizes movie feeds around identities such as horror, action, mystery, drama and science fiction or supernatural programming. Pick by mood:
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- Mystery or thriller: a natural fit for crime-film and suspense fans.
- Action: straightforward background entertainment.
- Classic movies: older cinema and familiar stars.
- Family movies: a shared-viewing option, with parental judgment still required.
These feeds are separate from Tubi’s on-demand library. Do not promise a particular film unless it appears in the current schedule. Start at Tubi Live TV.
Best local-news channels
Local station feeds may be Tubi’s most practical feature for cord-cutters. The U.S. guide lists more than 100 local-news channels associated with markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Seattle, Detroit and Orlando.
- Open the live guide and search for your city or local station call sign.
- Check that the feed appears in your location and on your device.
- Review the schedule before assuming it includes every local newscast.
A local feed is not necessarily the complete over-the-air schedule of the broadcast station, and not every U.S. market is covered.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best family option
Tubi Kids
Tubi offers a Kids experience with content settings, parental controls and an optional PIN. Tubi says up to eight profiles can be added on a supported device, including Kids Accounts; details are in Tubi’s account and Kids guidance.
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- 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
Do not label a general live channel “safe for children” simply because it appears under a family category. Use Tubi Kids and review the controls for the child’s age.
How to find and watch the channels
On the web
- Open tubitv.com/live.
- Browse categories such as Featured, National News, Sports, Classic TV, Horror, Kids & Family, Movie Channels, True Crime and Local News.
- Select a channel to begin its linear stream.
- Use the current guide instead of relying on a third-party list.
On a television or streaming device
Tubi supports the web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Hisense, Xfinity, Cox, TiVo and other platforms. Exact features can differ by device; see Tubi’s supported-device list.
If Live TV is missing
- Update the Tubi app.
- Update the device operating system when applicable.
- Restart both the app and the device.
- Sign in if personalized rows or features are missing.
- Try the web live-TV page to identify a device-specific problem.
- Confirm that the channel is available in your country and local market.
Tubi says live-news features may take time to reach all supported devices and that lineups can change. Its current guidance is at About Live News Channels on Tubi.
Signing in on a TV
Guest viewing can work for basic playback, but an account enables progress and recommendations across devices. To activate a TV, enter the code shown in the app at tubitv.com/activate; Tubi documents the process at its activation help page.
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What Tubi does—and does not—replace
- It does replace: some casual cable-style channel surfing, free national-news streams, selected local coverage and background entertainment.
- It does not replace: a complete cable package, every regional sports network, every league game or every premium pay-per-view event.
- Expect ads: the trade-off for no monthly subscription is commercial interruption.
- Expect variation: channel names, schedules, device support and local availability can change.
- Remember the U.S. scope: the 262-channel figure and much of this lineup refer to Tubi’s U.S. catalog, not every country.
The five channels most viewers should try first
- ABC News Live
- FOX Sports on Tubi
- NFL Channel
- World’s Most Evil Killers
- The Price Is Right: The Barker Era
This is a starter pack, not a permanent ranking. Your local station feed may be more valuable than any of these if local news is your priority.
Quick Recap
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