How to use AirTV on Roku
Have you decided to cut the cord from traditional cable and satellite service providers, and are wondering how you can continue to watch TV without having any troubles with crazy fees or with an internet connection? Perhaps you should consider installing and using AirTV on Roku.
If you are a cable and satellite TV user, one of the most frustrating things that you may have to deal with is paying monthly fees to maintain an active TV subscription. Sometimes, the prices may even go higher and leave you even more frustrated. A cheaper alternative to the accumulating monthly fees would be to embrace the use of TV streaming apps to watch your favorite shows, movies, and series. The best part about using TV streaming platforms is that you can install them on your Roku device and you get to watch your favorite media content over a stable internet connection. It gets even better when the app is subscription-free. In this article, we will look at how you can use AirTV on your Roku device.
Table of Contents
To begin, what is AirTV, and how does it work?
AirTV is a small device that picks up over-the-air television broadcasts from your antenna and directly streams them to your streaming devices via a stable and reliable internet connection, fully integrated into the Sling TV interface. Currently, there is a second generation model that allows you to record a maximum of two channels simultaneously. This turns the Air TV into not just an ordinary set top box, but an over-the-air DVR.
What are the channels you get with AirTV?
Channel Type |
Top-tier broadcast channels |
Sports channels |
Prestige TV Channels |
Kids Channels |
Non-Fiction and Reality TV Channels |
Description |
This is simply TV the way you are already used to |
Allow you to keep up with live games from your favorite teams |
Your go-to channels if you are looking for comedies, drams and other award-winning shows |
Ideal for your little ones |
Ideal for you if you want to develop a new skill, learn more about culture and history, and if you want to see other parts of the world |
The Channels |
The CW, ABC, FOX, PBS, CBS, NBC |
MotorTrend, ESPN 2, ESPN, ESPN 3 |
Viceland, IFC, Comedy Central, TBS, AMC, TNT, A&E |
Disney Channel, Cartoon Network |
Travel Channel, History Channel, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, HGTV, |
2021 Update on the Use of AirTV on Roku
Unfortunately, the AirTV app has been removed from the Roku Channel Store. This means that it is not available for download at the moment. Even if you previously owned the AirTV app on your Roku device, you will get a message saying that the channel has been removed when you try to launch it. In as much so, you can always use AirTV with the help of the Sling TV app.
AirTV and Sling TV Integration
Generally, you can use AirTV as a standalone device, however, it works better through integration with Sling TV. Both Air TV and Sling TV are subsidiaries of the Dish Network, and for this reason alone, they have been designed to complement each other. AirTV simply picks up your local OTA television broadcasts then adds them to your already existing Sling TV channel subscriptions. When this happens, all your media content becomes available within the same guide, as opposed to continually flicking between the antenna input of your TV and Sling TV.
To get this set-up, you need to download the AirTV app on your android, iOS, or Roku device and connect your AirTV unit to your home Wi-Fi. Next, you need to sync it with your account in the Sling TV app. Doing this allows your AirTV device to scan for any available OTA channels. The number of channels picked up is determined by the placement of your antenna and where you are located. Once all the local channels are identified, they have been added automatically to your Sling TV channel list.
What are the unique features of the AirTV app?
The unique features of the AirTV app are;
- AirTV has no contracts at all and it is a subscription-free app
- You can mount an OTA antenna anywhere that you can get a reliable signal and immediately begin to stream your favorite TV channel on Roku
- It allows you to view all your favorite local TV channels in the one-simple guide
- You can seamlessly rewind, fast forward pause, or resume any recorded local channel contents
- With a Sling TV subscription, you can easily record channel content in cloud DVR
- With a Sling TV subscription, it is easier for you to stream your favorite channels and local programs
That said, how can you install AirTV on your Roku device?
If you want to successfully install AirTV on your Roku device, you would need to follow the following steps to the letter;
- Go to the home screen of the Roku player and select ‘Streaming Channels’ from the left sidebar.
- Tap on the ‘Top Free’ option. When you do this a list of available apps on Roku should be displayed on your TV screen.
- Scroll downwards until you can see AirTV then click on it.
- On the app’s information screen, select the ‘Add Channel’ button. Doing this should begin the download and installation process of the AirTV app.
- Lastly, launch the AirTV app to stream your favorite media content.
Conclusion
If you are a cord cutter, chances are that you would always want to keep up with local TV channels. For this reason alone, you may want to invest in the download and installation of AirTV on your Roku device.
FAQs
-
Do I need to download AirTV on each device in my home to access the local TV channels?
No, you do not. AirTV uses home Wi-Fi to connect all the local TV channels with the compatible devices that you own.
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What HD antenna is compatible with the AirTV app?
AirTV is compatible with any OTA antenna that has a coax connection.
