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How Do I Watch HGTV on Roku? The Ultimate Guide

So, you’re itching to dive into the world of home renovations, design inspiration, and captivating real estate drama that HGTV offers? Excellent choice! Getting your fix of HGTV on your Roku device is delightfully straightforward. Here’s the quick and dirty: You’ll need a subscription to a live TV streaming service that carries HGTV, or you can use the discovery+ app (formerly known as HGTV Go) if you have a subscription. Let’s break down both options to get you flipping houses and rearranging furniture from the comfort of your couch in no time.

Method 1: Live TV Streaming Services

The most common route to watching HGTV on Roku is through a live TV streaming service. These services act as modern cable providers, delivering a plethora of channels – including, crucially, HGTV – directly to your Roku device over the internet.

Choosing the Right Service

Several reputable services offer HGTV. Some of the most popular options include:

Hulu + Live TV: A robust option, offering a vast library of on-demand content in addition to live channels, including a solid selection of HGTV content.
YouTube TV: Known for its user-friendly interface and unlimited DVR storage, YouTube TV also provides a great HGTV experience.
Sling TV: Offers different packages, with HGTV typically found in their Orange or Blue packages. This is often a more budget-friendly option.
DirecTV Stream: A premium service with a wide selection of channels and features, including HGTV.
fuboTV: Sports-centric, but also includes a great variety of lifestyle channels like HGTV.

Before committing to a service, take advantage of their free trials. This will allow you to test the streaming quality, user interface, and channel lineup to ensure it meets your needs. Consider factors like:

Price: How much does the service cost per month?
Channel lineup: Does it include other channels you enjoy watching?
DVR capabilities: Can you record shows to watch later? How much storage is offered?
Simultaneous streams: How many devices can stream at the same time?
User interface: Is it easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for?

Downloading and Activating the App

Once you’ve chosen your live TV streaming service:

Turn on your Roku device and navigate to the Roku Channel Store.
Use the search function to find the app for your chosen streaming service (e.g., “Hulu,” “YouTube TV,” “Sling TV”).
Select the app and click “Add Channel.”
Once the app is installed, launch it from your Roku home screen.
You’ll be prompted to sign in using your account credentials. This typically involves visiting a website on your computer or phone and entering a code displayed on your Roku.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation process.

Finding HGTV

After logging in, you should find HGTV listed in the channel guide or under the “Lifestyle” or “Entertainment” categories. Happy watching!

Method 2: Using the discovery+ App

Alternatively, you can watch HGTV content through the discovery+ app. This app is a dedicated streaming service that includes content from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and other Discovery-owned networks. Note that discovery+ replaced the old HGTV Go app.

Subscribing to discovery+

If you don’t already have a discovery+ subscription, you’ll need to sign up for one. You can do this on the discovery+ website or through the app on your Roku. There are often different subscription tiers available, so check which one meets your budget and viewing needs.

Downloading and Activating the discovery+ App

The process is very similar to downloading a live TV streaming service app:

Turn on your Roku device and navigate to the Roku Channel Store.
Search for “discovery+.”
Select the app and click “Add Channel.”
Launch the app from your Roku home screen.
Sign in with your discovery+ account credentials.
You can now browse and watch your favorite HGTV shows on demand.

On-Demand Viewing

discovery+ primarily offers on-demand content, meaning you can watch episodes of your favorite shows whenever you want. While you won’t get a live stream of HGTV, you’ll have access to a vast library of episodes and exclusive content.

FAQs: Your HGTV on Roku Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to watch HGTV on your Roku:

1. Is HGTV completely free on Roku?

No. HGTV is not available for free on Roku without a subscription. You need either a subscription to a live TV streaming service that includes HGTV or a subscription to the discovery+ app. Some services offer free trials, but these are temporary.

2. Can I watch HGTV on Roku without cable?

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of streaming services. You can watch HGTV on Roku without a traditional cable subscription by using a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV, or by subscribing to discovery+.

3. What is the cheapest way to watch HGTV on Roku?

Sling TV is often the cheapest option for watching HGTV on Roku since they offer different packages at varying price points. However, be sure to check that the specific Sling TV package you choose includes HGTV. discovery+ also offers different pricing tiers.

4. Why is HGTV not showing up on my Roku?

If HGTV is not showing up, first ensure your subscription to your streaming service includes HGTV. Then, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Finally, check your internet connection is stable. You may also need to restart your Roku device.

5. Does Roku offer a specific HGTV channel?

No, Roku does not have a dedicated HGTV channel. You need to access HGTV through a live TV streaming service app or the discovery+ app.

6. Can I watch HGTV live on the discovery+ app?

While discovery+ offers a huge library of HGTV content, it’s mostly on-demand. You can’t typically watch a live stream of the HGTV channel through discovery+. To watch HGTV live, you’ll need a live TV streaming service.

7. How do I update the HGTV app (discovery+) on Roku?

Roku typically updates apps automatically. However, you can manually check for updates by going to the Roku Channel Store, selecting the discovery+ app, and checking if there’s an “Update” option.

8. Can I use my cable provider’s app to watch HGTV on Roku?

Potentially. Some cable providers offer apps that allow you to stream live TV on Roku if you’re a subscriber. However, not all cable providers offer this option, and the available channels may vary. Check with your cable provider.

9. What is the difference between HGTV Go and discovery+?

HGTV Go was the previous app for watching HGTV content. It has since been replaced by discovery+, which offers a wider range of content from all Discovery-owned networks. HGTV Go is no longer supported.

10. Can I record HGTV shows on Roku?

Yes, if you use a live TV streaming service with DVR capabilities, you can record HGTV shows to watch later. The amount of DVR storage offered varies depending on the service. discovery+ allows you to watch shows on demand anytime.

11. Is my Roku device compatible with the discovery+ app or live TV streaming services?

Most modern Roku devices are compatible with the discovery+ app and major live TV streaming services. However, it’s always a good idea to check the compatibility requirements on the Roku website or the app store before subscribing.

12. How do I troubleshoot streaming issues when watching HGTV on Roku?

If you experience streaming issues:

Check your internet connection. Ensure you have a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal.
Restart your Roku device. This can often resolve minor glitches.
Update the app. Make sure you’re using the latest version of the app.
Clear the app’s cache. This can sometimes improve performance. (The process for clearing cache varies based on Roku model. Check Roku’s support website.)
Contact your internet service provider if you suspect a problem with your internet service.

With a little setup and the right subscription, you’ll be enjoying the best of HGTV on your Roku in no time. Get ready to be inspired!