Like most streaming platforms, Google TV has a lineup of free TV channels for users. Now, Google will make it easier to launch that free content with Free TV buttons on new Google TV devices.
According to a report from Android Authority, all new Google TV devices will have a button labeled “Free TV” or “Live TV” on their remotes. Currently, only select devices like the Onn 4K Pro from Walmart have the button.
Tapping the button will take users to Google TV’s Live tab. There, users will find over 150 free live TV channels available without an app or subscription in the Google TV Freeplay library. The lineup includes channels like AccuWeather, Hallmark Movies & More, and Outdoor America along with curated channels of favorite series including Hell’s Kitchen and FBI Files. Users will also find news, sports, and music channels.
Google TV Freeplay is the rebrand of Google TV’s Free Channels section. The name changed in August 2024, ahead of the full rebrand in September, and marked a significant shift in Google’s approach to free streaming.
Adding a button specifically for free content when other devices typically only included branded buttons for paid services signifies the shift in viewing habits as more cord cutters are looking for ways to further cut costs.