Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming service built into Samsung smart TVs

Samsung TV Plus is a streaming app that comes pre-installed on most Samsung smart televisions. You do not pay a subscription fee. The service shows live TV channels and on-demand programs, supported by ads that play during viewing. If you own a Samsung smart TV made in the last several years, you likely have access to it already — the app appears on your home screen or in your app menu.

The service is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and a few other countries. The channels and content available depend on which country you are in. In the US, Samsung TV Plus offers roughly 150 channels, though the exact number changes as channels are added and removed.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TV Plus comes built into most Samsung smart TVs from 2016 onward and costs nothing to use.
  • The service includes live TV channels, on-demand movies and shows, and news feeds, all supported by advertisements.
  • You do not need a cable subscription, login, or credit card to watch Samsung TV Plus.
  • Channel availability varies by country and changes over time as Samsung adds and removes programming partners.
  • The app works only on Samsung televisions; you cannot access it on other brands or on phones and tablets.

What channels and content you can watch

Samsung TV Plus carries a mix of live channels and on-demand content. Live channels include news outlets like Reuters, Bloomberg, and local news feeds; entertainment channels showing movies, TV shows, and reality programming; sports channels; and niche channels focused on topics like cooking, home improvement, and fitness. The exact lineup changes — channels are added when Samsung signs new deals and removed when partnerships end.

On-demand content includes full movies, episodes of TV series, and clips. Some channels offer both live feeds and on-demand libraries. For example, a movie channel might show a live schedule during the day and let you browse and watch specific films from its catalog at any time. News channels typically offer both live broadcasts and archives of recent stories.

You can browse channels by category — News, Entertainment, Sports, Lifestyle — or search by title if you know what you want to watch. The app shows what is currently playing on each channel and what is coming up next, similar to a traditional TV guide.

How to access Samsung TV Plus on your TV

If you own a Samsung smart TV, Samsung TV Plus should already be on your home screen or in your app library. Press the Home button on your remote, look for the Samsung TV Plus icon or tile, and select it. The app opens and you can start browsing channels when ready.

If you do not see the app, it may not be installed on your model. Samsung TV Plus is available on most Samsung smart TVs from 2016 onward, but some older or budget models do not include it. You can check the Samsung support website or your TV's manual to confirm whether your model supports the service. If your TV is compatible but the app is not visible, you may be able to read it from your TV's app store.

No login is required. You do not need a Samsung account, email address, or payment method to use Samsung TV Plus. Open the app and start watching.

How ads work on Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is free because it is supported by advertising. Ads appear before, during, and after programs, similar to broadcast television. The number and length of ads varies by channel and program. Some channels show ads every 10 to 15 minutes; others show them less frequently.

You cannot skip ads or pay to remove them. There is no premium, ad-free version of Samsung TV Plus. If you want to avoid ads entirely, you would need to use a different streaming service that charges a subscription fee.

Samsung and its advertising partners use information about what you watch to show ads that may be relevant to you, but you can adjust privacy settings in the app if you want to limit data collection.

Samsung TV Plus versus cable and other streaming services

Samsung TV Plus differs from cable television in several ways. Cable requires a subscription and a cable box or app, and you pay a monthly fee. Samsung TV Plus is free and built into your TV. Cable offers more channels and more recent programming, but also costs significantly more. If you want live sports, breaking news, or current TV shows, cable or a paid streaming service may be a better fit.

Samsung TV Plus is also different from subscription streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. Those services charge monthly fees but offer no ads (or fewer ads on lower-priced tiers), larger libraries, and exclusive original content. Samsung TV Plus has a smaller library and shows ads, but costs nothing.

Some people use Samsung TV Plus alongside a cable subscription or paid streaming service. Others use it as their only source of television. It works best if you are comfortable with ads, do not need the latest episodes of popular shows, and want access to live news and niche programming without paying.

What devices can access Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus works only on Samsung smart televisions. You cannot access it on phones, tablets, computers, or streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV. If you want to watch on multiple devices, you would need to use a different service that offers apps for phones and tablets.

The app is exclusive to Samsung TVs because Samsung built it as a feature of its televisions, not as a standalone streaming platform. This means if you move to a different TV brand, you lose access to Samsung TV Plus.

Troubleshooting common Samsung TV Plus problems

If Samsung TV Plus is not loading, first check your internet connection. The app requires a stable WiFi or ethernet connection to stream. Restart your TV and router, then try opening the app again. If the problem continues, restart the app itself by closing it completely and reopening it.

If a channel is not working or shows an error, the channel may be temporarily offline or the partnership may have ended. Try a different channel to confirm your connection is working. If most channels are down, contact Samsung support through your TV's settings menu or visit the Samsung support website.

If you cannot find the app on your TV, check whether your model is compatible. Samsung TV Plus is available on most models from 2016 onward, but not all. Check your TV's manual or the Samsung website to confirm. If your TV is compatible and the app is missing, you may be able to read it from your TV's app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to use Samsung TV Plus?

No. Samsung TV Plus requires no login, account, or payment information. Open the app on your TV and start watching when ready.

Can I watch Samsung TV Plus on my phone or tablet?

No. Samsung TV Plus is available only on Samsung smart televisions. It does not have apps for phones, tablets, or other devices.

What happens if Samsung TV Plus removes a channel I like?

Channel availability changes as Samsung's partnerships with content providers change. If a channel is removed, you will no longer see it in the app. You can switch to a different channel or use another streaming service that carries the content you want.

Is Samsung TV Plus available in my country?

Samsung TV Plus is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and several other countries. Check the Samsung website or your TV's app store to see if the service is available where you are.

Can I record programs from Samsung TV Plus?

No. Samsung TV Plus does not offer a recording feature. You can watch live channels and on-demand content when you open the app, but you cannot save programs to watch later.