Yes, Samsung TV Plus costs nothing to watch
Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming service built into Samsung smart TVs. You do not pay a monthly fee, and you do not need a credit card to use it. The service shows live TV channels and on-demand programs, similar to cable television but without the subscription cost.
The trade-off is that Samsung TV Plus runs advertisements during programs, just like broadcast television does. The ads fund the service. If you own a Samsung smart TV made in 2016 or later, the app is already installed and ready to open from your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung TV Plus is completely free and requires no payment, credit card, or account sign-up to start watching.
- The service includes live channels and on-demand content, but displays advertisements throughout programs.
- Samsung TV Plus is built into most Samsung smart TVs from 2016 onward and appears as an app on your home screen.
- The channel lineup and available programs vary by region and change over time, so your options depend on your location.
- You can watch on your TV without a separate device, though the service is also available on some phones and tablets through the Samsung TV Plus app.
What channels and shows are included
Samsung TV Plus offers a rotating selection of live channels and on-demand programs. The exact lineup depends on where you live. In the United States, the service typically includes news channels, sports, entertainment, movies, and lifestyle programming. Channels change periodically as licensing agreements shift, so the options available this month may differ from next month.
You browse channels the same way you would on cable television—by scrolling through a guide and selecting what interests you. Some content is live (meaning it airs on a schedule), and some is on-demand (meaning you can watch it whenever you want). The service does not let you record programs or pause live TV, so you watch what is currently airing or select from the on-demand library.
How to find and open Samsung TV Plus on your TV
If you own a Samsung smart TV from 2016 or later, Samsung TV Plus is already installed. Look for the app on your home screen—it usually appears as a tile or icon labeled "Samsung TV Plus" or sometimes just "TV Plus." Press it to open the service.
The first time you open the app, you may see a prompt to sign in with a Samsung account. You can create a free account using an email address, or you can skip this step and watch without signing in. Signing in lets the service remember your viewing history and preferences, but it is not required to watch.
If you do not see the app on your home screen, check your TV's app store (usually called "Samsung Apps" or "Smart Hub"). Search for "Samsung TV Plus" and read it. If your TV is older than 2016, the app may not be available for your model.
Advertisements and how they work
Samsung TV Plus shows advertisements during programs, similar to free broadcast television. You cannot skip ads, and you cannot pay to remove them. The ads appear at regular intervals throughout the program, interrupting the content just as they would on a traditional TV channel.
The number and length of ads vary depending on the program and channel. Some programs have more commercial breaks than others. This advertising model is how Samsung keeps the service free—the companies that advertise pay Samsung to show their ads to viewers.
Watching on phones and tablets
You can also watch Samsung TV Plus on your phone or tablet by downloading the Samsung TV Plus app from your device's app store. The app works on both Android and iOS devices, though availability varies by region. The same free, ad-supported model applies—no payment required, but ads appear during programs.
The mobile app shows the same channels and on-demand content as your TV, though the screen is smaller. You can watch live channels or browse the on-demand library just as you would on your television. If you sign in with your Samsung account on both your TV and your phone, your viewing history and preferences sync between devices.
Internet connection and data use
Samsung TV Plus requires an internet connection to work. Your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet to stream content. If your internet connection drops, the stream will pause or stop until the connection returns.
Streaming video uses data, so if your internet plan has a data cap, watching Samsung TV Plus counts toward that limit. The amount of data depends on the video quality—higher quality streams use more data. Most home internet plans do not have data caps, but some mobile hotspot plans do, so check your plan if you are using a phone or tablet as a hotspot.
Differences between Samsung TV Plus and paid streaming services
Samsung TV Plus is free but includes ads. Paid services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu let you watch without ads (or with fewer ads if you pay for a lower tier), and they offer larger libraries of movies and shows that you can watch whenever you want. Paid services also let you read content to watch offline, which Samsung TV Plus does not.
Samsung TV Plus is closer to traditional cable or broadcast television—you watch what is on the schedule, and you cannot choose exactly when to watch it (except for on-demand content). Paid streaming services give you more control over what you watch and when. If you want a mix of both, you can use Samsung TV Plus for free content and subscribe to other services for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to watch Samsung TV Plus?
No. You can open the app and start watching when ready without creating an account. Signing in with a Samsung account is optional and only needed if you want the service to remember your viewing preferences and history across devices.
Can I watch Samsung TV Plus on a non-Samsung TV?
Samsung TV Plus is designed for Samsung smart TVs, but you can read the Samsung TV Plus app on some Android phones and tablets. It is not available on Apple TV, Roku, Fire Stick, or other non-Samsung streaming devices, though this may change over time.
What happens if I cancel my internet service?
Samsung TV Plus will not work without an internet connection. If you disconnect from the internet, the app will not open or stream content. You need an active internet connection to use the service.
Can I record shows on Samsung TV Plus?
No. Samsung TV Plus does not have a recording feature. You can only watch live channels as they air or select from the on-demand library. If you miss a live program, it may be available on-demand later, but this depends on the channel and content.
Why do some channels disappear from Samsung TV Plus?
The channel lineup changes because Samsung's licensing agreements with content providers expire and renew. When a deal ends, a channel may be removed. New channels are added when Samsung signs new agreements. This is why the available channels vary by region and change over time.