Plex, the versatile streaming platform known for its blend of live TV and on-demand content, has bolstered its free, ad-supported offerings with the addition of four new channels: The Bold and the Beautiful, Live PD Presents, Shout Movies, and Say What!!. Announced today, this expansion enhances Plex’s roster of over 600 live channels in the U.S., catering to cord cutters who—per a recent Cord Cutters News survey of over 1,900 readers—overwhelmingly prefer streaming (71.7%) over traditional media like DVDs. The move comes as competitors like Sling TV Freestream add channels like The Osbornes and Earth Touch TV, and Pluto TV tests interactive ads with Roku, signaling a fierce race in the free streaming space.
The Bold and the Beautiful, the long-running CBS soap opera starring Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook, brings its saga of fashion, romance, and family drama to Plex’s Live TV guide. Airing since 1987, the show’s addition offers fans a free way to catch daily episodes, a nod to TV’s past as TV Guide marks 72 years since its 1953 debut today with Lucille Ball’s baby on the cover. Live PD Presents taps into the true-crime wave, delivering real-time police patrol footage and spin-offs from A&E’s hit series, appealing to viewers hooked on channels like Roku’s “Crime” (Channel 500). Shout Movies, from Shout! Factory, promises a curated mix of cult classics, B-movies, and genre gems—think Mystery Science Theater 3000 vibes—while Say What!! offers a quirky blend of karaoke and music-driven content, echoing the interactive fun of Pluto’s latest ad experiments.
Available now across Plex’s supported devices—Roku, Fire TV, smart TVs, and more—these channels require no subscription or sign-up, aligning with Plex’s mission to simplify access. The additions join recent trends in FAST (free ad-supported streaming television), where Roku Channel leads with 28.2% in a best-free-service poll, per Cord Cutters News, and Sling Freestream trails at 9.7% in paid streaming uptake. With cable costs soaring—19.4% of subscribers pay over $200 monthly—these free options resonate as local TV stations eye 5G shifts and Amazon’s Project Kuiper preps an April 9 launch.
Plex’s strategy builds on its 50,000+ on-demand titles from partners like Warner Bros. and Lionsgate, now paired with a growing live TV slate. While Planet of the Apes celebrates 57 years since its 1968 debut today, Plex’s new channels offer a modern twist on accessible entertainment, free for the 13 million monthly active users who lean on its universal watchlist and personalization features. As the streaming wars heat up, these additions—available globally with some U.S.-specific licensing—keep Plex competitive in a landscape where free is king.
Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help. You can find Luke on X HERE.