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 made in the last several years. You do not pay a monthly fee. The service shows live TV channels and on-demand content, similar to cable or streaming services, but it is funded by ads instead of a subscription.

The app launches directly from your TV's home screen. You select a channel, and the content plays. There is no account to create, no credit card required, and no login process — it works as soon as you turn on a compatible Samsung TV.

Samsung TV Plus is available in the United States, Canada, Spain, Australia, and a few other countries. The channels and content available depend on which country you are in.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TV Plus comes free on most Samsung smart TVs from 2016 onward and requires no subscription or account setup.
  • The service offers live TV channels and on-demand shows and movies, with ads playing throughout the content.
  • Channel selection varies by country; the U.S. version includes news, sports, movies, and entertainment channels.
  • You can access Samsung TV Plus only on a Samsung smart TV — it is not available as an app on phones, tablets, or other devices.

What channels and content are available

In the United States, Samsung TV Plus carries roughly 150 channels at any given time. These include news outlets like Reuters TV and The Roku Channel News, sports programming, classic movies, reality shows, and entertainment content. The exact lineup changes periodically as Samsung adds and removes channels.

Popular channels include Pluto TV content, Paramount+ free tier shows, and original programming. You can browse the full channel list directly in the app on your TV — there is no hidden content or channels you cannot see without paying.

The on-demand section lets you watch full episodes and movies without waiting for a scheduled broadcast time. Like the live channels, on-demand content is supported by advertisements.

How to find and use Samsung TV Plus on your TV

On most Samsung smart TVs, Samsung TV Plus appears as an app icon on the home screen. Press the home button on your remote, look for the Samsung TV Plus icon (usually a purple or blue square with a play symbol), and select it. The app opens when ready.

Once inside, you see a grid of channels. Use your remote's arrow buttons to navigate left and right through the channels, or up and down to see different time slots and on-demand content. Select any channel to start watching. You can change channels the same way you would on cable — with your remote's channel up and down buttons.

If Samsung TV Plus does not appear on your home screen, check your TV's app store to see if it is available for your model. Older Samsung TVs (before 2016) may not support the service.

Which Samsung TVs have Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus comes built-in on most Samsung smart TVs manufactured from 2016 onward. This includes the Q series, N series, M series, and newer model lines. If your TV has a smart TV operating system and was made by Samsung within the last eight years, it almost certainly has Samsung TV Plus available.

The easiest way to check is to look at your TV's home screen. If you see the Samsung TV Plus icon, your TV supports it. If you do not see it and your TV is from 2016 or later, you may be able to read it from your TV's app store — search for "Samsung TV Plus" in the apps section.

How ads work on Samsung TV Plus

Advertisements fund Samsung TV Plus, so you will see commercials while watching. Ads appear during live TV broadcasts and in on-demand content, similar to traditional cable television. You cannot skip ads or pay to remove them.

The number and length of ads varies by channel and content. Some channels have more frequent ad breaks than others. The ads are targeted based on your viewing habits, though you can adjust privacy settings in your TV's settings menu if you want to limit data collection.

Samsung TV Plus versus paid streaming services

The main trade-off with Samsung TV Plus is ads versus no ads. Services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu (without ads) charge a monthly fee and show no commercials. Samsung TV Plus is free but includes ads throughout.

Samsung TV Plus also has a smaller content library than most paid services. You get live TV and a rotating selection of on-demand shows and movies, but you cannot search for a specific title and expect to find it the way you can on Netflix. Paid services let you watch what you want, when you want, without waiting for a broadcast schedule.

Many people use Samsung TV Plus alongside a paid service — watching free live TV and on-demand content on Samsung TV Plus, and using a paid service for specific shows or movies they want to watch ad-free.

What to do if Samsung TV Plus is not working

If the app will not open or crashes when you try to use it, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This fixes most temporary glitches.

If the app still does not work, check that your TV is connected to the internet. Samsung TV Plus requires an active internet connection. Go to your TV's network settings and confirm you are connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet.

If you see an error message or the app loads but shows no channels, try uninstalling and reinstalling Samsung TV Plus from your TV's app store. On most Samsung TVs, you can do this by highlighting the app icon, pressing the options button on your remote, and selecting "Remove" or "Uninstall," then downloading it again from the app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Samsung TV Plus is only available on Samsung smart TVs. It does not work on phones, tablets, computers, or non-Samsung televisions. You must watch on a compatible Samsung TV.

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

No account is required. The app works without signing in. If you want to save favorite channels or customize your viewing experience, you can create a Samsung account, but it is optional.

Can I record shows on Samsung TV Plus?

Recording depends on your TV model. Some newer Samsung TVs have a built-in recording feature that works with Samsung TV Plus, but not all models support it. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to see if recording is available.

Is Samsung TV Plus available outside the United States?

Yes, but the channels and content differ by country. Samsung TV Plus operates in Canada, Spain, Australia, and several other regions. The channel lineup in your country may be smaller or different from the U.S. version.

Will Samsung TV Plus ever charge a fee?

Samsung has not announced plans to charge for Samsung TV Plus. The service has remained free since its launch. However, Samsung could change this in the future, though it would likely offer a free tier with ads alongside a paid ad-free option.