Android TVs are getting 800 free channels in a great free update
More than 800 free channels are being added to Android TVs in the coming weeks, giving those that own a smart TV or a streaming device like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro that uses the operating system the chance to easily watch a whole lot more TV and movies.
You won’t have to download the new channels or search in the app for them either. The free built-in channels are being rolled out to those located in the US, giving everyone with an Android TV device access to news channels such as NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX as well as international programs that will be available in more than 10 languages, including Spanish, Hindi and Japanese.
A Live tab, which was recently added to Google TV devices, is also being added to Android TVs – you will be able to find this between the ‘Home’ and ‘Discover’ sections. In the Live tab, free channels such as Tubi, Plex, Pluto TV and Haystack will be made accessible. Cable TV replacements YouTube TV, which offers access to more than 100 channels, and Sling TV will also be available.
However, in a community post released earlier this week, Google said that premium live subscriptions such as YouTube TV won’t be integrated into the Live tab right away. Instead, this can be accessed through the app for now.
What to watch with so much choice
From local news stations and live sports to several international channels, there’s a lot to choose from on Android TV now. The update brings the service in line with Google TV, which is essentially the newer and slicker version of Android TV, but not all Android TV devices are being updated to Google TV.
So what’s good to watch? Like other Google products, the newly added Live TV tab will offer personalized recommendations based on your watch history. No official list was announced alongside the update, but looking at the free channels available on the Live tab on Google TV the following channels will be included:
NBC News Now
Today All Day
Sky News
Reuters Now
Scripps News
Cheddar News
AccuWeather
Xumo Free Movies
See more channels
Filmrise Free Movies
Hallmark Movies & More
Maverick Black Cinema
Documentary+
Xumo Free Westerns
Filmrise Action
Ion
Deal or No Deal USA
Family Feud
Ion Mystery
Dateline 24/7
Filmrise Unsolved Mysteries
Filmrise Forensic Files
Midsomer Murders
Xumo Crime
Reelz Famous & Infamous
CourtTV
Law & Crime Trial Network
Divorce Court
Filmrise Hell’s Kitchen
The Jamie Oliver Channel
Lidia’s Kitchen
America’s Test Kitchen
Tastemade
At Home with Family Handyman
Great American Adventures
PBS Nature
Love Nature
Stingray Naturescape
Bein Sports Xtra
World Poker Tour
Impact Wrestling
PGA Tour
Billiard TV
Outdoor America
Outside
PowerNation
BounceXL
FailArmy
Just for Laughs Gags
The Pet Collective
It’s Showtime at the Apollo
Drybar Comedy
LOL Network
Circle
Wu Tang Collection
Family Affair Channel
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Paranormal Files
Dust Sci-Fi
Estrella News
EstrellaTV
Telemundo Al Día
Cine Romántico
iHeartCountry
iHeart90’s
Stingray Classic Rock
Stingray Soul Storm
NBC News Bay Area
NBC News Boston
NBC News Chicago
NBC News Connecticut
NBC News Dallas Fort Worth
NBC News Los Angeles
NBC News New York
NBC News Philadelphia
NBC News San Diego
NBC News South Florida
NBC News Washington DC
With so much choice, Google has added the ability to favorite any channels you love, which will pin the content to the top of the Live TV guide. This feature will undoubtedly become increasingly useful when trying to filter through the expanding content library.
Given that an increasing number of the world’s best streaming services are raising prices and clamping down password sharing, free TV channels are looking increasingly attractive, especially as more and more content gets added.
