FAQ for Viewers

Answers to the most common questions from fans, families, and alumni watching HometownLive.

Accounts & Access

Do I need an account to watch?

No. Free content on HometownLive is accessible to anyone without logging in or creating an account. Simply go to https://platform.hometownlive.tv and start watching. An account is only required when you want to purchase access to a Pay-Per-View event. Creating an account is free and takes less than a minute.

Is HometownLive free?

Watching is free for most content. Schools can designate specific events as Pay-Per-View, which require a one-time purchase. The price and access duration for PPV events are set by the school, not by HometownLive. When browsing events, any event that requires payment will show a Buy or Purchase button instead of a direct play button.

How long do I have access after buying a PPV event?

Access duration is set by the school administrator and varies by event. Some events allow access for the duration of the broadcast plus a replay window; others allow access for a set number of days. The access window is described on the event's purchase page. Contact the school's AV team if you are unsure how long your access lasts for a specific event.

I forgot my password — what do I do?

Go to https://platform.hometownlive.tv/login and click Forgot Password?. Enter your email address and click Submit. A password reset link will be sent to your inbox. If the email does not arrive in a few minutes, check your spam folder.

Tip: Free content does not require a password — only Pay-Per-View purchases require you to be logged in.

Watching on Devices

How do I watch on Roku?

Search for the HometownLive channel (or your school's specific channel name) in the Roku Channel Store on your Roku device. Add the channel, open it from your Roku home screen, and browse content using your Roku remote. If you cannot find the channel, contact your school's AV team to confirm the Roku channel has been enabled — it must be activated by the school administrator before it appears in the Roku store.

Can I watch from my phone?

Yes. HometownLive works in the browser on any smartphone or tablet. Open Chrome on Android or Safari on iOS, navigate to https://platform.hometownlive.tv, and the site adapts automatically to your screen. You do not need to install a separate app to watch on mobile. For the best experience, use a Wi-Fi connection when watching live streams.

What browsers are supported?

HometownLive works on all current versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Chrome is recommended for the most consistent experience. Keep your browser updated — an outdated browser is the most common cause of video player issues.

Troubleshooting

What do I do if the stream is buffering?

First, check your internet connection — live video typically requires 5–10 Mbps. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, close other applications using bandwidth, and try reloading the page. If buffering continues, try a different browser or device. If the player offers a quality selector, choose a lower quality setting. See Video Is Buffering or Quality Is Poor in the Troubleshooting guide for a complete checklist.

Can I watch events after they have ended?

Yes, if the school has made the recording available on demand. After a live event ends, the recording is typically available on the same event page for a period set by the school administrator. Not all events are archived — some are broadcast live only. Check the event page after it ends to see whether replay is available.

How do I contact the school about an event?

Use the Contact Us form at https://platform.hometownlive.tv/page/contact-us. Fill in your name, email, phone, subject, and message and click Submit. A school representative will respond by email. The Contact Us form reaches the school or organization running the platform — not HometownLive support directly.

How do I purchase a Pay-Per-View event?

Create a viewer account and log in first. Then find the event you want to watch, click the Buy or Purchase button on the event page, and complete the checkout. Access is granted immediately after a successful payment. See the Viewer Guide for detailed steps.