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Google TV added seven free, ad-supported channels to its U.S. Freeplay lineup in September 2024, including The Bob Ross Channel. The reported additions also included comedy, dog-training, combat sports, women’s football, family programming, and news. The channels require no separate subscription, sign-up, or app installation when accessed through built-in Freeplay—but availability can change.
Which channels were added?
A September 19, 2024 report from 9to5Google identified these seven additions:
- The Bob Ross Channel — painting and art-instruction programming associated with Bob Ross.
- Comedy Dynamics — comedy programming.
- Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan — episodes and related programming centered on Cesar Millan’s dog-training series.
- DAZN Ringside — boxing and combat-sports programming.
- DAZN Women’s Football — women’s football (soccer) programming.
- Dove Channel — faith-oriented and family programming.
- The Hill TV — news and political programming.
These are channels presented through Google TV; they should not be interpreted as channels owned or produced entirely by Google.
What Google TV Freeplay provides
Freeplay is Google TV’s built-in free, ad-supported television service. In the United States, Google says its Freeplay channels can be watched without a subscription, sign-up, or separate app installation. The trade-off is advertising: “free” means there is no subscription charge, not that the streams are commercial-free.
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Freeplay channels appear alongside other sources in Google TV’s Live experience. Google also integrates services such as Tubi, Plex, Haystack News, and Pluto TV. Those partner services can have different app, account, catalog, and regional requirements, so not every channel shown in the Live tab is a built-in, app-free Freeplay channel.
How to find The Bob Ross Channel
- Turn on a compatible Google TV device in the United States.
- Open the Live tab from the Google TV home screen.
- Browse the Freeplay guide or search for Bob Ross.
- Select The Bob Ross Channel to start playback.
- To make it easier to find later, select the channel in the guide and choose the favorite option. A star indicates that it has been saved.
The channel may also appear through the Google TV Freeplay app or in recommendations. Menu names can vary slightly between television manufacturers and software versions. Google recommends keeping both the Google TV software and Google TV Home app up to date.
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- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Who can watch it?
The built-in Freeplay offering is documented primarily as a U.S.-only service. Google’s September 2024 announcement described support across compatible U.S. Google TV devices, including Chromecast with Google TV and televisions from manufacturers such as Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Philips.
This does not mean the September 2024 lineup automatically applies in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, or other markets. Device model, account, software version, rollout timing, and location can all affect what appears.
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Why the channel count is confusing
The September expansion produced two different headline totals. 9to5Google reported that the built-in lineup had reached 157 channels. Four days later, Google’s own September 23 announcement described Freeplay as having 150 channels.
The difference may reflect staggered availability, different counting methods, or changes between the reports. Neither figure should be treated as a permanent channel count.
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- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Is The Bob Ross Channel still available?
Google’s current U.S. Google TV support page lists The Bob Ross Channel. However, PhoneArena reported in February 2025 that Google TV had removed Bob Ross and several other channels.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe safest conclusion is that Google’s official support list currently includes the channel, but the lineup can change as distribution and licensing arrangements change. Check the Live guide on your own device rather than assuming that a channel listed online will appear identically everywhere.
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What to do if you cannot see it
On a U.S. Google TV device:
- Check both the Live tab and the Freeplay app.
- Search for “Bob Ross” instead of relying only on the guide’s category order.
- Update the Google TV software.
- Update Google TV Home through the Play Store.
- Restart the television or streaming device.
- Check whether other Freeplay channels are visible.
If other Freeplay channels work but The Bob Ross Channel is missing, the most likely explanation is a lineup, rollout, or rights issue—not necessarily a faulty device. Availability outside the U.S. is also a likely explanation.
Freeplay versus other viewing options
YouTube can be useful for individual Bob Ross episodes or painting tutorials, but it is not necessarily equivalent to a 24-hour linear channel. Other free, ad-supported platforms—including Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and Haystack News—offer additional programming, although their catalogs and availability differ by region and they may require separate apps or accounts.
Paid live-TV services such as YouTube TV or Sling TV may suit viewers who want broader news, sports, or channel packages. They are optional, however, and are not required to watch built-in Freeplay channels. Likewise, buying a new Google TV device is unnecessary if an existing compatible television or Chromecast already provides the Live and Freeplay experiences.
The bottom line
The Bob Ross Channel was one of seven channels reported as added to Google TV’s U.S. Freeplay lineup in September 2024. It is designed to provide free, ad-supported linear programming without a separate subscription. Because Google TV channel lists change—and because current support documentation conflicts with a February 2025 removal report—open the Live guide on your own U.S. device for the definitive result.
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