Here are all of the 170+ free channels available on Google TV

Google TV has always been a destination for finding content, and now there’s a ton more with the addition of free channels available directly on the homescreen. Here’s everything that’s available.

Available to all Google TV devices in the United States, there are in excess of 800 free live TV channels that stream everything from news to movies and so much more, all without costing you a dime. Some of these channels are built in, while others are powered by third-party apps.

Google TV free channels: What’s built-in

Out of the box, for devices such as Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer, you’ll get access to 171 total free live channels. These channels require no app installations or extra accounts. Just set up your Google TV device, go to the “Live” tab, and you’ll get all of these channels.

These channels are available only in the United States.

The full list is as follows, with new additions marked in bold text.

Google is constantly updating this list, too, so check back for new additions.

Update 1/27: Following updates in December, Google TV Freeplay now offers 171 total channels. The added channels are listed above and marked in bold text, while the list as a whole has been updated to match Google TV’s current sorting as of January 2025.

As we first reported in August, Google has also widely rolled out its updated “Freeplay” branding, as well as launching a new app experience. However, that new app was disabled in early November due to crashing issues and will return in the coming months. It’s still not back on most devices as of January, but the new app is still live on the Google TV Streamer.

What other channels are free on Google TV?

Beyond those 159 built-in channels, Google TV also provides free live channels from a variety of third-party apps. These include channels from:

• Pluto TV
• Plex
• HaystackNews
• Tubi

Channels are all listed together in the same guide, but picking a channel from one of these other providers will launch the associated app, which you’ll need to have installed. Some of those services require an account, but they still won’t charge you.

How to pick your favorite live channels on Google TV

With hundreds of channels available and no number pad to quickly get between them, Google TV’s “favorite channels” feature really comes in handy. As pictured below, this works rather simply. Find the channel you want to add as a favorite, click on its name, and then a new “Favorites” category will be added to the top of the “Live” tab. This works with channels from any source, paid or free.

Are free channels available on Android TV?

In late 2023, Google expanded its catalog of free channels to Android TV, the older experience found on devices such as Nvidia Shield TV.

• Android TV adding ‘Free TV Channels’ app that shows up on your homescreen

Most new devices are running Google TV instead of Android TV, and you notably won’t find some of the channels from Google’s partners on these older devices.

More on Google TV:

• Chromecast with Google TV 4K update brings January 2023 patch
• Walmart is about to launch a new 4K Google TV dongle for $20
• This is why you shouldn’t buy sketchy ‘Android TV’ boxes – What to look for instead

Originally published 4/28/2023 – Last updated 1/27/2024

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