Samsung Smart TV owners may already have access to hundreds of free channels through Samsung TV Plus. The service provides live, scheduled internet channels and on-demand movies and shows at no monthly TV Plus charge. However, it is ad-supported, requires an internet connection, and is not the same as receiving free local stations through an antenna.
What is Samsung TV Plus?
Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming television service, often called a FAST service. In the United States, Samsung advertises more than 300 live channels and thousands of free movies and shows on demand. The exact number varies by country, device, licensing agreements, and date; channels can be added, moved, or removed without notice.
Samsung’s international service has reported more than 3,500 ad-supported linear channels across 30 countries, but that global figure is not the number available to every U.S. viewer. Older U.S. announcements have also referred to lineups approaching 700 channels. The safest way to see the current selection is to open TV Plus on your own television.
Programming typically spans news, movies, classic television, crime, drama, reality, comedy, game shows, food, home improvement, sports, motorsports, nature, history, science, children’s programs, anime, gaming, music, Latino programming, and relaxation channels. Samsung also promotes examples such as CNN, Bloomberg, the Tennis Channel, and the NFL Channel, but individual channels and programs are subject to change.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- HDR: Enjoy great contrast in all your content. High Dynamic Range (HDR) expands the contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of a scene, so you can enjoy a wide spectrum of colors and visual details.
- OBJECT TRACKING SOUND LITE: Feel like you're part of the scene with audio that follows the action on screen. Featuring a virtual top channel, every sound is precisely placed in space, placing you in the heart of the scene.
- SAMSUNG KNOX SECURITY: Your TV experiences are secured. Samsung Knox Security defends against harmful apps and phishing sites while keeping sensitive data, such as PINs and passwords, secure. It also safeguards your IoT devices connected to your TV.
- ONE UI TIZEN: Stream your favorite movies and shows and access your favorite apps and games on an intuitive smart TV platform, powered by Samsung Tizen OS.
- ENDLESS CONTENT: Access 2,700+ free channels including 400+ Samsung TV Plus premium channels with just your WiFiconnection. Enjoy national and local news, sports, movies, kids’ shows and more -live and on demand. With content frequently added, there’s always something new to discover.
Some 4K programming is available, including a Bloomberg 4K channel, but TV Plus is not an all-4K service.
Samsung’s TV Plus page provides the current promotional overview and lineup information.
Is Samsung TV Plus really free?
There is no monthly TV Plus subscription fee, and Samsung says a credit card is not required for the service. The trade-off is advertising: commercial breaks support the platform.
“Free” also does not mean television without any household costs. TV Plus streams over the internet, so you still need an internet connection and broadband service. It is not an offline service, and mobile viewing may use cellular data.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Samsung’s consumer materials say TV Plus can be watched without creating a Samsung account. Its support documentation also says a Samsung account may be required for network-based Smart Hub services, depending on the television, software, region, and setup. In practical terms, TV Plus has no paid subscription requirement, but your TV may still request a free Samsung account during Smart Hub setup.
Rank #2
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR: Powerful processor enhances colors and sharpens details for a vibrant 4K viewing experience. Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- MOTION XCELERATOR: Experience clear picture and smooth motion in games and sports. Enjoy smooth motion and clear visuals with technology that estimates and adjusts frame transitions in real time. Whether gaming or watching sports, enjoy up to 4K 60Hz performance that brings every play, move and scene to life with realistic clarity and motion.
- COLOR BOOSTER: Supercharge your color. From fiery reds to sparkling blues, make every color come to life with intensity. Color Booster transforms your content into a visual masterpiece.
- 4K UPSCALING: Upgrades what you watch to crisp 4K clarity. Upgrade your favorite shows, movies and more. Experience incredible details and clarity in every frame, even from lower-quality sources, with advanced upscaling technology.
TV Plus does not automatically include Netflix, Disney+, Max, YouTube TV, or other paid services. Nor does a channel’s presence guarantee every program, current-season episode, or live sporting event. Sports channels may show highlights, analysis, replays, selected live events, or niche competitions rather than every game in a league.
Which Samsung TVs support it?
Samsung’s U.S. support page says TV Plus is available on 2016 and newer Samsung Smart TVs and projectors in select areas. Samsung also lists availability on selected Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, Family Hub refrigerators, and the web.
That does not mean every Samsung television qualifies. Compatibility can depend on the exact model, country, software version, Smart Hub configuration, and whether the device is a consumer or restricted commercial model. If you own a newer television, check the app on that specific device rather than relying only on a year-based list.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For the latest eligibility details, consult Samsung’s TV Plus support page and the TV Plus Help Center.
How to watch Samsung TV Plus
- Turn on the Samsung Smart TV and make sure it is connected to the internet.
- Press Home on the remote.
- Select Samsung TV Plus from the app bar or home screen.
- Choose a channel, or open the guide to browse current and upcoming programs.
On some televisions, TV Plus may open automatically when the TV starts or when you exit another app. On many Samsung Smart Remotes, pressing inward on the CH button opens the guide. A standard remote may have a dedicated GUIDE button. Labels and controls vary by model and software version.
Rank #3
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR: Powerful processor enhances colors and sharpens details for a vibrant 4K viewing experience. Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- MOTION XCELERATOR: Experience clear picture and smooth motion in games and sports. Enjoy smooth motion and clear visuals with technology that estimates and adjusts frame transitions in real time. Whether gaming or watching sports, enjoy up to 4K 60Hz performance that brings every play, move and scene to life with realistic clarity and motion.
- COLOR BOOSTER: Supercharge your color. From fiery reds to sparkling blues, make every color come to life with intensity. Color Booster transforms your content into a visual masterpiece.
- 4K UPSCALING: Upgrades what you watch to crisp 4K clarity. Upgrade your favorite shows, movies and more. Experience incredible details and clarity in every frame, even from lower-quality sources, with advanced upscaling technology.
How to remove unwanted TV Plus channels
Samsung’s common channel-editing path is:
- Open Samsung TV Plus.
- Press the channel up/down button inward to open the guide.
- Move to the left side and select Edit.
- Select the unwanted channels.
- Choose Delete, then select Save and exit.
Some models instead use Home > TV Plus > Channel List > Edit Channels. Menu names differ across televisions.
Important: deleting every TV Plus channel can make the app stop appearing or playing automatically. If that happens, restoring the TV Plus channel list or resetting Smart Hub may bring the channels back. A Smart Hub reset can also sign you out of apps and remove Smart Hub settings, so keep your passwords and TV PIN available before using it.
How to stop TV Plus from starting automatically
On supported models, try:
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Select Smart Features.
- Turn off Autorun Samsung TV Plus.
Newer models may place this setting in a different menu.
TV Plus is not the same as free antenna television
The phrase “hundreds of free channels” can be misleading if you expect hundreds of local broadcast stations. TV Plus is an internet streaming service. An antenna receives local over-the-air broadcasts from stations near your address.
| Feature | Samsung TV Plus | Antenna TV |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Internet streaming | Local broadcast signal |
| Internet required | Yes | No |
| Subscription | No TV Plus fee | No monthly fee after equipment |
| Local stations | Not guaranteed | Depends on location and reception |
| Lineup | Samsung-controlled and changeable | Local broadcasters |
| Equipment | Compatible Samsung TV and internet | Antenna, coax cable, and TV tuner |
| Advertising | Yes | Usually included in broadcast programming |
To scan for antenna channels, connect the antenna to the television’s antenna input and use Settings > Broadcasting > Auto Program, then choose Air, Cable, or Both. Samsung’s antenna scanning instructions are separate from TV Plus.
Rank #4
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR: Powerful processor enhances colors and sharpens details for a vibrant 4K viewing experience. Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- MOTION XCELERATOR: Experience clear picture and smooth motion in games and sports. Enjoy smooth motion and clear visuals with technology that estimates and adjusts frame transitions in real time. Whether gaming or watching sports, enjoy up to 4K 60Hz performance that brings every play, move and scene to life with realistic clarity and motion.
- COLOR BOOSTER: Supercharge your color. From fiery reds to sparkling blues, make every color come to life with intensity. Color Booster transforms your content into a visual masterpiece.
- 4K UPSCALING: Upgrades what you watch to crisp 4K clarity. Upgrade your favorite shows, movies and more. Experience incredible details and clarity in every frame, even from lower-quality sources, with advanced upscaling technology.
What to do if TV Plus is missing or not working
The app is missing
- Confirm that the television is connected to the internet.
- Press Home and check the app bar carefully.
- Install available updates through Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now.
- Cold-boot the TV by holding the remote’s power button for about five seconds, or unplug it for 30 seconds.
- Check whether all TV Plus channels were previously deleted.
- Verify that the model and region support the service.
If a qualifying model still does not show TV Plus, contact Samsung Support. A commercial model, regional restriction, incomplete Smart Hub setup, or software problem may be involved.
TV Plus will not play
Test the television’s network connection first. Then check Smart Hub or Samsung account setup, close other apps, update the TV software, and restart the television. A slow or unstable home network can cause buffering even when the app itself is operating normally.
Samsung recommends cold-booting, updating software, reinstalling apps where applicable, and using a Smart Hub reset only as a later troubleshooting step. A reset can remove app logins and settings; it should not be the first response to a single playback problem.
Channels disappeared
This may be normal. Samsung can change the lineup, move channels, end a program’s availability, or remove a channel because of regional licensing. TV Plus does not promise a permanent channel list.
See Samsung’s general app troubleshooting guide and its Smart Hub reset guidance before resetting anything.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- MINI LED PROCESSOR 4K: Our advanced processor delivers brighter highlights and deeper blacks,* bringing every detail to life with stunning clarity
- PURE COLOR SPECTRUM: delivers one billion true-to-life colors, powered by advanced color technology and MiniLED precision. Enjoy rich reds, deep blues, and vibrant greens, making every scene leap off the screen with breathtaking realism.
- MINI LED HDR: Experience HDR picture quality with brighter highlights and deeper blacks than traditional HDR TVs.* Enjoy vibrant colors and lifelike details as this technology enhances brightness and contrast, making every image stand out with remarkable depth and realism.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- SUPREME MINI LED DIMMING: delivers deep contrast and bright highlights for a truly superb picture.*
Is Samsung TV Plus enough to cut the cord?
TV Plus is a good fit for viewers who want casual channel surfing, background television, older shows, news clips, niche programming, and free on-demand content from a compatible Samsung device. It is especially useful when you already own the television and do not want another box.
It is a poor standalone replacement for viewers who need dependable local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, or PBS stations; DVR recording; ad-free viewing; premium originals; a predictable lineup; or comprehensive live sports. An antenna can complement TV Plus for local broadcasts. A paid live-TV service may be more appropriate for viewers who need broader channel packages, DVR features, or specific sports coverage. An external streaming device can help when a Samsung TV is unsupported or slow, but it will not create local antenna channels or fix a household-wide internet problem.
The practical answer is to treat TV Plus as a free supplement first. Open the guide, check the channels and programs you actually watch, and then decide whether you still need an antenna, another streaming service, or paid live television.
Official references: Samsung TV Plus, Samsung TV Plus Newsroom, and Samsung’s announcement about its U.S. channel expansion at news.samsung.com.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
