Roku, the streaming giant known for making cord-cutting easier and more affordable, has just sweetened the deal for TV lovers everywhere. On May 2, 2026, the company rolled out an impressive lineup of 34 new free channels on The Roku Channel, each dedicated to a beloved television show or theme, spanning the golden age of black-and-white classics right through to modern hits. For fans of everything from "Lassie" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" to "Bones" and "The Goldbergs," it’s a streaming bonanza—no subscription, no strings attached. Or so it seems at first glance.
According to Yahoo, the newly added channels read like a stroll through television history. Early TV is well-represented, with dedicated channels for "Lassie," "Leave It to Beaver," "Rawhide," and "The Carol Burnett Show." The nostalgia continues with 1970s and 1980s favorites such as "Little House on the Prairie," "Saved by the Bell," "Baywatch," and "In the Heat of the Night." The 1990s and 2000s get their due with "Stargate Atlantis," "Bones," "Home Improvement," and "Heartland." And for those looking for something more recent, "The Goldbergs"—which aired its last episode in 2023—stands out as the only show from the current decade among the new arrivals.
But while Roku’s free content expansion is a gift to viewers, there’s another side to the story that’s less visible—and far less discussed. As reported by Tom’s Guide, every time you settle in for an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" or relive the antics of "Saturday Night Live Vault," Roku is quietly collecting detailed data about your viewing habits. This isn’t just about what you watch on The Roku Channel; it extends to every device plugged into your TV’s HDMI ports, including cable boxes, game consoles, and Blu-ray players.
Roku’s data collection is thorough. The platform logs every show you watch, how long you watch it, and which advertisements you interact with. This information is then shared with third-party advertisers to build an advertising profile tailored to your interests. As Tom’s Guide puts it, "Roku knows your guilty pleasures. Every show, every search, every channel you've ever opened has been collected, stored, and used to build an ad profile of you." For many users, the extent of this tracking comes as a surprise—after all, the default settings quietly enable it, and most people have no idea it's happening.
Even if you’re not streaming through a Roku channel, the tracking doesn’t stop. Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), which is enabled by default, monitors everything displayed on your TV screen, regardless of which input or device is active. This means that even if you’re watching cable TV, playing video games, or watching a Blu-ray, Roku is still gathering data about your entertainment preferences and behaviors.
It’s important to note that users cannot completely opt out of Roku’s data collection. As both Yahoo and Tom’s Guide point out, some basic data is required for the platform to function. However, there are ways to limit what’s collected and shared. The process isn’t complicated, but knowing where to look is half the battle.
The first step is to disable ad tracking. From the main Roku menu, navigate to Settings, then Privacy, then Advertising, and check the box labeled “Limit Ad Tracking.” This prevents Roku from building a targeted advertising profile based on your viewing history. You’ll still see ads on free, ad-supported channels, but they won’t be personalized using data about your specific habits. It’s a small change, but it puts a little more distance between your personal tastes and the advertisers eager to learn them.
The second setting to consider is microphone access. Many Roku remotes now come with voice features, allowing you to search for shows or control the device hands-free. By default, individual channels and apps can request access to your remote’s microphone, potentially recording and transmitting audio. To block this, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Microphone, and select Channel Microphone Access. Choose “Never Allow.” This stops channels from listening through your Roku remote, though it does mean you’ll need to use the standard remote buttons for navigation instead of voice commands. As Tom’s Guide notes, "If you use voice features regularly, you’re trading convenience for privacy."
The third—and arguably most crucial—setting involves Automatic Content Recognition. To disable this, head to Settings, then Privacy, then Smart TV Experience, and uncheck "Use Info from TV Inputs." This single change cuts off the most comprehensive element of Roku’s data collection, stopping the platform from monitoring everything displayed on your TV, regardless of the source. As Tom’s Guide emphasizes, "If you only do one thing on this list, make it this. ACR is the engine behind Roku's entire viewing profile, the feature that stitches together everything you watch, across every device connected to your TV, into one tidy ad-targeting package. Kill it, and you've pulled the plug on Roku's most invasive tracking."
It’s worth noting that disabling these features on your Roku device only affects Roku’s own data collection. Other streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, or Max may still collect their own usage data or share it with their advertisers, and those platforms have separate privacy settings that need to be adjusted individually.
For viewers, the arrival of 34 new free channels on Roku is a cause for celebration. The lineup covers a remarkable range of genres and eras, from the wholesome adventures of "Lassie" to the comedic misadventures of "My Wife and Kids," the drama of "Bones," and the nostalgia of "The Beverly Hillbillies." There’s something for nearly every taste, and the convenience of having these shows available on-demand is hard to beat.
Yet, as streaming platforms become ever more sophisticated in how they gather and monetize user data, it’s crucial for viewers to be aware of the trade-offs. Free content often comes with hidden costs—chief among them, personal privacy. Users who value their digital autonomy should take a few minutes to adjust their settings, ensuring that their viewing habits remain their own business, not fodder for advertisers.
With a few simple tweaks, Roku users can enjoy a treasure trove of classic and contemporary television, all while keeping their private lives just a little more private. Now, as the golden age of TV comes streaming back into living rooms everywhere, it’s up to each viewer to decide just how much they’re willing to share in exchange for a trip down memory lane.