Study finds TV streaming is the most popular TV source among Canadian internet users, and ad-supported services are more popular than ever.
Tag: Free TV
Free TV is something that’s become extremely popular in recent times. This increased popularity is not only in terms of viewers looking for cheaper ways to stream movies and shows, but also in terms of companies that are looking for new ways to generate additional revenue.
Free TV FAQs
Looking for more information on free TV, below are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.
Can you watch TV for free?
Yes, you can watch TV for free. However, it is important to understand what free TV means in the streaming era compared to what it means in the traditional sense, as they are not the same.
Nowadays, streaming makes it possible to watch a variety of content for free, including live linear channels. Just like traditional live TV, these free channels play content continuously throughout the day. Unlike traditional live TV, however, these free channels tend to play themed content.
For example, while a paid live TV plan opens up access to popular channels like ABC and Fox, free TV services offer access to generic news channels or channels that are dedicated to specific topic like comedies, movies, and so on.
What does FAST actually mean?
FAST is a term you will hear often in reference to live TV in the streaming era. FAST is an acronym for free, ad-supported TV or free, ad-supported television.
What FAST means in real world terms is simply this – the ability to watch TV channels for free thanks to the use of ads. Unlike a traditional live TV plan which typically requires a subscription and still shows ads, FAST services are completely free to use, and most won’t even require an account.
How many channels do you get with free TV?
This is almost impossible to answer although it is starting to seem like the number is limitless. As free TV channels are curated channels and not traditional live TV channels, companies and services can theoretically create as many as they want.
While some free TV channels emulate traditional live TV channels by focusing on news, lifestyle content, or sports, others are focused on specific content including individual shows.
As examples of how many free channels are currently on offer, Sling Freestream offers access to more than 300 channels, Vizio’s WatchFree+ unlocks access to more than 260 channels, and Pluto TV users get access to more than 200 channels. All of these services are also always adding more.
Are services like Pluto TV and Tubi really free?
Yes, services like Pluto TV and Tubi are really free. While that might sound too good to be true, it’s not. The reason these services are able to offer free content is thanks to the FAST and AVOD business models.
FAST stands for free, ad-supported TV while AVOD stands for ad-supported video on demand. The common factor in both of these examples is ad-supported, and that’s exactly how these services make money.
Instead of directly charging you a monthly subscription free, these services heavily rely on ad revenue. This tends to mean that almost every episode, movie, and video will include ads. The ad load varies by service, and in some cases, can be quite heavy.
Can you watch local live TV for free?
Yes, you can watch local live TV for free. Many streaming services now offer access to local news and weather channels for free. When it comes to local sports and RSNs, things are a little more complicated. Likewise, so is watching well-known local channels including ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.
For homes looking to access any of these channels or local sports content for free, streaming is not going to be the solution. Instead, the best option will be to purchase an over the air antenna from Amazon or another retailer. These antennas make it possible to receive OTA feeds from local stations that are within reach of the home.
While there is no guarantee you will be able to get all of the local channels you want with an antenna, it is currently the best option outside of paying for a live TV plan that includes the desired local channels.
Starting this Wednesday, DirecTV and DirecTV Stream subscribers have access to an extended free preview of the Movies Extra Pack add-on.
If you’re a DirecTV or DirecTV Stream customer, and not signed up to HBO or Cinemax, you can watch both networks for free over this weekend.
Sling TV isn’t finished offering free previews this year, with the latest taking place this weekend and unlocking access to Pac-12 Networks.
Local Now has expanded its channel lineup once again. This time, 18 CBS FAST channels have been added, including 14 CBS News stations.
Cineverse announced a new deal with Criterion Pictures that will see some of its FAST channels becoming available in non-theatrical markets.
Amazon Freevee users can now tune in and watch Screambox TV, Cineverse’s horror-themed free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel.
Tubi is one of the most popular free streaming services and has now confirmed that it recently surpassed 74 million monthly active users.
If you’re a fan of Channel 4 content, you’ll be happy to know that the British broadcaster is launching two new FAST channels in the US.
US households are adopting ad-supported streaming services at a faster rate than non-ad-supported services, according to the latest data.
The latest Tablo device offers a way to watch and record over-the-air TV programs from ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC without a paid subscription.
FreeCast has partnered with the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) to trial the provision of free streaming TV to select NaLA members.
Earlier today, Google confirmed that over 25 new free channels were added to Google TV. For those wondering what’s new, here’s the full list.
The CBC Gem app is now available to download on Roku devices in Canada, providing users with another way to stream CBC programming for free.
All of the new Google TV channels, as well as the existing lineup of free TV channels, can all be accessed directly through the Live tab.
While there are plenty of services and channels offering access to local content, Cox’s new Neighborhood TV focuses on really local content.
The Fox Weather free, ad-supported streaming television channel is now available to Cox subscribers and coming to Samsung TVs later this week.
Amazon has launched a new Fire TV Channels app, providing Fire TV device users with access to more free sports, news, and entertainment.
Sling TV subscribers have access to MGM Plus for free this weekend, unlocking Creed III, From, The Winter King, Top Gun: Maverick, and more.
More than 40 linear channels have been added to The Roku Channel across a variety of genres, including local news, entertainment, and more.
