If you have a modern smart TV, you likely have access to a range of free TV channels, with TV manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, LG and TLC now offering free content as standard on their latest TVs. Discovering these channels can expand your entertainment choices without the need for additional subscriptions.
We’ll reveal simple ways to access hidden free channels on your device and get the most out of its features. Check out our guide to building a home smart TV using Raspberry Pi: The best projects available.
How to access free channels on your smart TV
If you have a newer smart TV, its free channels are generally located under the tab. Live In the TV browser. Samsung and LG have their own TV browser platforms pre-installed, while other models use the new Google TV system.
If you have a smart TV from before 2020, you may have access to Android TV instead. Google’s older operating system runs on a somewhat dated interface with fewer channels and features. However, it essentially serves as the backbone of the new Google TV, so it should continue to work fine for the foreseeable future.
Alternatively, if your smart TV is capable of downloading apps, you can get the latest Google TV app and access free channels that way. But how can all these services offer free TV channels, you may ask? Well, that’s where FAST TV comes in!
FAST TV
FAST TV stands for “Free TV with Add-Ons,” and is a collaboration between several providers, including Google, Pluto TV, Tubi, and Hulu. The channels are broadcast on a linear daily schedule, similar to terrestrial television, allowing viewers to tune in at specific times to watch live content. However, to watch any of the TV shows, you have to endure about ten minutes of ads per hour.
Google TV features an easy-to-use interface and integrates Google Assistant and artificial intelligence to provide targeted advertising and TV recommendations based on your viewing habits. Additionally, with Google Assistant activated, you can use voice commands to control smart devices in your home, such as lighting, heating, and security.
Third party options
If you don't have a smart TV, there are still plenty of third-party options available. Hulu, Plex, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Google TV all have apps that can access free TV on any of your smart devices.
Other ways to access free channels include using: Chromecastwhich has Google TV pre-installed as standard, or use Amazon Firestickwhich has a limited FAST TV selection and allows you to stream content from other free services. Alternatively, the streaming device offers Year Access hundreds of channels of free content via FAST or through our own streaming platform: Roku Channel.
What do you get with free TV channels?
Channel selections and available services vary depending on the brand of TV you buy, so if free content is a big part of your decision-making process, it’s worth shopping around to see which TV manufacturer has the best options. For example, TCL Google TV is on all of its latest smart TVs and promises access to over 800 free channels, while LG typically offers around 150.
In addition to channels, Google TV has some useful features that might sway your decision. For example, you can download the app to your smartphone and use it as a remote control for your TV if your current phone isn’t compatible. You can also set up different accounts for each member of your family, allowing you to keep your content separate from your kids’, and you can add parental controls to monitor and restrict what they can watch.
Types of channels available
As you can imagine, with over 800 channels to choose from on some devices, there’s a wide range of TV topics and genres available, with new options being added all the time. Along with regional news, weather, and sports broadcasts for US residents, you can expect to find documentaries from BBC and National Geographic, comedy from LOL Network!, Funny or Die, and Comedy Central, and reruns of classic dramas and action shows from NBC Universal and AMC Networks.
If you're looking for more specific types of TV shows, there are also channels dedicated to cooking, motorsports, music, travel, entertainment, home, and finance. In addition to accessing paid movies via Google TV, there are also some dedicated movie channels for free, such as Box Cinema and Hollywood Classic Movies.
Are the channels worth watching?
While you might think that having access to all these free TV channels is great, this brings us to the very important question of whether the channels are worth watching or does the old adage “nothing good in life comes for free” hold true? Well, the answer is subjective!
FAST TV tends to focus on reruns of old TV shows rather than streaming the latest movies and episodes of popular series. Unfortunately, this means that those who are looking to catch the latest Bridgerton or House of the Dragon will be disappointed, as these types of shows are only available through a paid cable or expensive streaming service. The good news is that as FAST TV gains traction, more services like HBO, Warner Bros, and Netflix are planning to contribute to the platform in the future.
Overall, if you’re happy to watch reruns of classic sitcoms alongside an endless supply of documentaries and reality TV shows, Google and FAST TV should keep you entertained. On the other hand, if you’re looking for your fix of the latest releases and premium content, I wouldn’t recommend canceling your cable subscription just yet. Here are the most important specs to check before buying a smart TV.
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