Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming service built into your Samsung TV
Samsung TV Plus is a free, ad-supported streaming service that comes pre-installed on most Samsung televisions made in the last several years. You do not pay a monthly fee. The service offers live TV channels and on-demand content across news, sports, entertainment, and other categories. It works through your TV's internet connection and appears as an app on your home screen.
The service is available in the United States and a few other countries. Samsung uses it as a way to keep people watching content on their TVs without requiring a cable subscription or paid streaming membership. Because it is ad-supported, you will see commercials while watching, similar to traditional broadcast television.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming app that comes pre-loaded on most Samsung TVs and requires no subscription or payment.
- The service includes live TV channels and on-demand shows across news, sports, movies, and entertainment categories.
- You need a Samsung account and an internet connection to use it, but no cable box or separate streaming device is required.
- The channel lineup changes over time, and you can browse available channels directly from your TV's home screen.
- If the app is not visible on your TV, you may need to update your TV's software or search for it in the app store.
How to find and open Samsung TV Plus on your TV
On most Samsung TVs, Samsung TV Plus appears as a tile or icon on the home screen when you turn on the TV. Look for an icon labeled "Samsung TV Plus" or sometimes just "TV Plus." If you see it, select it and the app will open. You will be taken to the channel guide, which shows what is currently playing and what is coming up.
If you do not see the app on your home screen, you can search for it using your TV's search function. Press the home button on your remote, then look for a search or magnifying glass icon. Type "Samsung TV Plus" and select it from the results. The app should then read and install automatically if your TV has internet access.
Older Samsung TVs (generally those made before 2016) may not have Samsung TV Plus available. If your TV is very old and the app does not appear in the app store, the service may not be supported on that model.
What channels and content are available
Samsung TV Plus offers a mix of live channels and on-demand content. The exact lineup varies by region and changes periodically, but typically includes news channels, sports programming, entertainment shows, movies, and lifestyle content. Some channels are dedicated to specific topics like cooking, home improvement, or true crime.
The service works like traditional cable TV in that you can flip through channels and watch what is currently airing, or you can browse the on-demand section to find specific shows or movies to watch whenever you want. The channel guide shows you what is playing now and what is coming up in the next few hours, making it straightforward to find something to watch.
Because the lineup is not fixed, you may notice channels appearing and disappearing over time. Samsung adds and removes channels based on licensing agreements and viewer interest. You can explore what is currently available by opening the app and scrolling through the channel list.
Setting up your Samsung account to use the service
To use Samsung TV Plus, you need a Samsung account. If you already have a Samsung account from purchasing a TV or using other Samsung services, you can use that same login. If you do not have one, you can create a free account directly on your TV or through Samsung's website.
When you first open Samsung TV Plus, the app will prompt you to sign in or create an account. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your email address and create a password. Once you are signed in, your preferences and watch history will be saved to your account, so if you watch on multiple Samsung TVs, your information syncs across them.
You do not need to enter any payment information. Samsung TV Plus is completely free, and Samsung will not charge you for using the service. The account is straightforward used to track your viewing and personalize your recommendations.
Internet connection requirements
Samsung TV Plus requires your TV to be connected to the internet. This can be done through Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable plugged directly into your TV. Without an active internet connection, the app will not work.
The service does not require a particularly fast connection, but a stable one is important. If your internet is slow or drops frequently, you may experience buffering or the stream may pause while loading. A connection speed of at least 5 Mbps is generally sufficient for smooth streaming.
If your TV is not currently connected to the internet, go to your TV's settings menu, find the network or Wi-Fi section, and select your home network. Enter your Wi-Fi password if prompted. Once connected, Samsung TV Plus should work when ready.
What to do if Samsung TV Plus is not on your TV
If you cannot find Samsung TV Plus on your home screen or in the app store, the first step is to check whether your TV model supports it. Samsung TV Plus is available on most Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later, but some older or budget models may not have it.
If your TV should support the service but you still cannot find it, try updating your TV's software. Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update. Select Update Now and let your TV restart. After the update completes, check your home screen again for Samsung TV Plus.
If the app still does not appear after a software update, try restarting your TV completely. Unplug it from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it boots up, check the home screen again. If Samsung TV Plus still is not there, your TV model may not support the service, and you would need to use a separate streaming device or smart TV box to watch streaming content.
How ads work on Samsung TV Plus
Because Samsung TV Plus is free, the service is supported by advertisements. You will see commercials while watching live channels and on-demand content, similar to what you would see on broadcast television. The ads are typically 15 to 30 seconds long and play at natural breaks in the programming.
You cannot skip the ads or remove them by paying a fee, since there is no paid tier of Samsung TV Plus. The ads are part of how the service remains free. The number and frequency of ads is comparable to what you would see on cable or broadcast TV.
Samsung does not currently offer a way to remove ads or upgrade to an ad-free version of the service. If ads are a concern, you may prefer to use other streaming services that offer ad-free options, though those typically require a paid subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung TV to use Samsung TV Plus?
Yes, Samsung TV Plus is designed to work on Samsung televisions. It comes pre-installed on most Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later. You cannot read it on other brands of TVs or on phones and tablets.
Can I watch Samsung TV Plus on my phone or computer?
Samsung TV Plus is designed for Samsung televisions only and is not currently available as an app for phones, tablets, or computers. You must watch it on a Samsung TV with an internet connection.
What happens if I lose my internet connection while watching?
If your internet drops while you are watching, the stream will pause and you will see a message indicating the connection was lost. Once your internet is restored, you can resume watching. You may need to refresh the app or restart the channel.
Is Samsung TV Plus the same as Samsung's paid streaming service?
No. Samsung TV Plus is the free, ad-supported service that comes built into your TV. Samsung also owns other streaming services and partnerships, but Samsung TV Plus itself has no paid option or premium tier.
Can I record shows from Samsung TV Plus?
Samsung TV Plus does not have a built-in recording feature. You can only watch content as it airs or through the on-demand section. If you want to record live TV, you would need a separate DVR device or a cable/satellite subscription with recording capability.