I don’t have cable.
I also don’t want cable. With all the other entertainment options out there, I just don’t feel like I need it. For quite a few years, I’d just watch tv and movies on my laptop, but I recently purchased a Roku Streaming Stick to plug into my little tv and IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. I got it on sale, and it was the best few $10 bills I’ve spent in a long time. (Btw, the tv I have is this little guy and I originally bought it as an external monitor. I really like it if you’re in the market for one.)
So anyway, the Roku. I love it. With it, I am able to search through tons of channels — most are free — and add the ones I want to my home screen. The channels I have and love are:
- Netflix (of course)
- YouTube
- Amazon Video
- ABC: Grey’s Anatomy reruns, holla!
- Yoga Download
- FrightPix: horror movies
- Crackle: gotta keep up with Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
- QVC, HSN, and JTV: don’t ask
- PBS
- Comedy Central
- ID Go: for my crime fix
- Seeso: I saw a preview of Take My Wife on YouTube and got this channel so I could binge watch the rest of the episodes
The Roku channel I use the most is YouTube. Over the past few years I’ve become addicted to YouTube channels and subscribe to lots of different ones in all different genres. I wrote about my favorite YouTubers here once before.
I thought I’d share some new favorite YouTube channels of mine in case anyone else has a short attention span and loves short snippets of video like you can find all over YouTube!
Peter Brown
Peter Brown is definitely the most entertaining YouTuber I’ve come across lately. Peter is a woodworker and craftsman who likes to experiment with interesting materials. Plus, he has incredible dad joke game.
- Making a replica of the mosquito-in-amber walking stick prop from Jurassic Park (above)
- Making a margarita glass out of a solid block of salt: click
Life Where I’m From
On this channel, a dad shows us what it’s like to live in Japan — but from his kids’ perspectives. The (super cute) kids are the focal point of the channel and in each video they tell us about what it’s like to do X, Y, or Z in Japan. Some favorites of mine:
- What a Japanese Family Restaurant is Like (above)
- What a Japanese Apartment is Like: click
Great Depression Cooking with Clara
I can’t remember how I found this channel, but I love it. A grandson films his grandmother Clara as she cooks simple, frugal recipes that she and her family ate during the Great Depression. Clara is so adorable and charming, and these videos really make my day when I watch them.
- Twice Baked Potato (above)
- Cooked Bread: click
Kate Flowers
Kate’s channel played a big part in my decision to dive back into a mostly plant-based diet. Kate and her fianceé Mae are both raw vegans, meaning they only eat raw (uncooked) plant foods. While that’s more extreme than I’m willing to go, I’m inspired by the interesting recipes they create and the things they eat, and I love that they also talk about relationships and LGBT+ issues. Visit Kate’s channel.
Safiya Nygaard
I originally found out about Safiya when she worked at Buzzfeed, producing the miniseries Ladylike. She has since left Buzzfeed and started her own channel where she tests out interesting beauty products and trends and makes a lot of Harry Potter jokes.
- Trying a pair of really weird Ugg/Teva combo boot sandals (above)
- Taking her cat Crusty for a walk on a leash: click
Emmymade in Japan
I love Emmy’s channel! The premise of the channel is trying interesting foods. Emmy samples interesting military MREs (read: 24 hour ration pack), tries snacks sent to her from viewers around the world, and tests out unique recipes like “raindrop cake” and “prison candy”. Her energy is infectiously positive and her videos always put me in a good mood.
- Trying to use cheese in a hot glue gun (above)
- Making a Cheetos cookie: click
Have you watched any of these YouTube channels before? If not, did I convince you to give any a try?
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I do spend time on You Tube, and thanks to you, I found a need to check out Roku. It is nice that there are other viewing options available in the market nowadays. It is always a win for the consumer when companies engage in healthy competition – the prices drop, the service gets better. 🙂
Amanda Love says
I’ve never owned a Roku before it’s good to know that there are many channels to watch there. I’ve seen some of these on youtube, like Emmy and I really find them entertaining!
Our Family World says
I have to check out the Roku channels. I don’t get to watch TV that much, but still paying for cable TV. We’ll see if this would work for my family.
Michelle Waller says
I love to watch Youtube but usually stick with the ones I know. I am going to have to check a few of these out.
Brianne says
This is such a great list! I love to veg out on the weekends and got lost in tv land!
Rosey says
I wonder if my son could get the Nick channels. We recently moved into a place we really wanted to get (waiting list), and got cable, but only the minimum package. He doesn’t get what he really wants… and I’d love to give him those channels, but the price to upgrade is outrageous, so nope. Maybe Roku is our solution! Heading over to check it.
Chanelle says
I think they do have a Nickelodeon channel!
Kelly Hutchinson says
Isn’t ROKU the best? I have it in the bedroom and my daughter has it in her room. I was surprised at all the services we were able to stream. She watched Youtube all.the.time.
Chanelle says
I had no idea how much I was going to love it. Totally impressed.
Jeanine says
I really enjoy YouTube. But usually stick to the couple i watch. I will have to branch out and check out a few of these!
Kristi says
Soooo many great options, my head almost spins when I try to decide but I always manage to find something to watch.
Louise says
These all sound like brilliant YouTube channels. I’ll definitely have to check some out 🙂
Louise x
Amy Desrosiers says
My husband and I had the first Roku player that ever came out. We ended up selling it but now 10 years later or so, I would love to try the new and obviously improved version.
Claudia Krusch says
I have been curious about the Roku. You get some great channels with it. I will have to look into getting one to try.
Kita Bryant says
There are so many of these I’ve never heard of. I love just chilling out of the weekends.
Reesa Lewandowski says
Gotta love YouTube! It’s amazing how it sucks you in! Thanks for the new accounts to check out!!
Lois Alter Mark says
I am going to check these out. I never even think about YouTube! We have a Roku, too, and it’s saved us a lot of money every month.
Pam says
I don’t think I have sat down and watched anything on YouTube in ages. These channels sound great to check out.
Cristine says
I don’t watch a lot of tv because I’m rarely free.but I love cooking shows and watch them from my phone
Kay Comer says
WOW I loved the video’s. Especially Grandma Clara and the Japanese family. What a neat idea for a blog. It makes me wonder just what all I’m missing in the world of Youtube and others 🙂
Milena says
I haven’t heard of some of these channels on YouTube, but they look great! I’m dumping our cable soon, so this is a great tip!
Ellen says
I forgot about the Depression Cooking show. I’ve seen it before and now I need to look it up again.
Jeanette says
There are so many options out there now. I do still have cable but it is something I am considering dropping soon because of how many options there are out there and how much cheaper it is.
Theresa says
I admit, I never did jump on the YouTube video craze, but that Great Depression Cooking looks like something I would love. I’m going to head over there and subscribe right now!
Mitch says
I love these videos you posted! My son is a youtube addict, it is very hard to break that cycle of funny video after funny video. We have cable, but I would love this stick to take on the road with me!
Stephanie Jeannot says
I would be so excited to visit and do things around Japan. Sounds like such a cool place to be and to explore and to learn the culture a bit.
Bill Sweeney says
We’ve been seriously considering getting a Roku. Between the rising cost of cable and more viewing options out there, there’s really no need to have cable anymore.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I think Cable is definitely in for a run for its money these days. Roku is really putting the pressure on them.
Melissa says
I think that you have shown that cable is a ting of the past and new things are coming and some are already here. I will keep watching for interesting programming that you are choosing.
Rachel Ferrucci says
I really need to spend more time on You Tube but I had no idea how much you can get from Roku, I’m looking to ditch my cable.