Plex Channels List

There’s more to Plex than meets the eye — like its 100+ list of channels. Plex isn’t your average streaming service but rather a media server app that allows you to harness your personal videos and media from one convenient source. This means you can trade the frustration of clunky and confusing equipment for an app-based solution. Plex also carries other forms of media, from on-demand movies and TV shows to live programming. Just bear in mind that the live channels are more aligned with PlutoTV than cable-alternatives such as Sling TV. In fact, most channels are based on alternative cultures like gaming and retro-grade reruns.

Plex is particularly ideal if you’re someone with a lot of content like an extensive movie or music collection. Plex works by accessing your media from a remote location and casting it to your preferred streaming device. So, Plex isn’t like Hulu, where you’re essentially renting thousands of titles, but rather, Plex streams your personal collection. This comes in handy if you’re not keen on renting services and prefer to stream your own media.

So, you’re here to see if Plex channels are worth your time. There are a few diamonds in the rough — keep reading to find out which channels are worth your time.

Plex at a glance

	Plex Free	Plex Pass
Monthly price	Free	$4.99
Annual price	N/A	$39.99
Lifetime price	N/A	$11.99
Number of channels	100+	100+
Popular channels	Comedy Dynamics, fubo Sports Network, Reuters	IGN, EDGE Sport, The Bob Ross Channel, Kidoodle TV

Plex Channel List

Wondering what you can watch on Plex? Here’s a list of the service’s available channels.

Plex local channels

To watch local channels with Plex, you’ll need a digital antenna and tuner. And the best part is that there’s no reoccurring charge unless you want additional features. With an upgraded Plex Pass subscription, you’ll gain extra powers like recording and saving live broadcasts and intro-skipping capabilities. Access to local channel affiliates and regional sports networks (RSNs) depends on your market area.

Plex sports channels

Plex offers a few sports channels, but don’t expect the quality of ESPN or NFL RedZone. The most eye-catching sports channel on Plex is fubo Sports Network. But since Plex sources its channels from free sources, fubo Sports Network is also available for free across other platforms like fuboTV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and its branded website via your preferred web browser. You can expect a number of sports commentary shows like Call It A Night with Julie Stewart-Binks, Drinks with Binks, Football Report, fubo News, No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, and The Cooligans. There are even channels like ACC Digital Network, an offshoot of the ESPN network, that airs reruns of college football. But that’s not all, you’ll also get impressive sports-centric channels like Players TV, Sports Grid, Stadium, and World Poker Tour.

Plex’s sports coverage goes even beyond fields and stadiums. So, while you won’t get live MLB or NFL games without the help of a third-party cable-alternative service like Hulu + Live TV, Plex carries channels and web shows with alternative sports coverage like gaming — such channels include IGN, SKWAD, and Tankee.

How do Plex’s channels compare to competitors?

Plex carries a number of on-demand movies and TV shows along with 100+ live channels. But how does Plex compare against actual streaming services? Below we list out the best streaming services for entertainment, kids, news, sports, and value.

For entertainment channels: STARZ

Specializing in big movie blockbusters, timeless classics, and original TV series, STARZ has a solid track record in all things entertainment. STARZ is available as an add-on channel for many TV services. But if you want STARZ as a standalone service, you can get it for $8.99/mo.

Compared to Plex, STARZ offers over 1,200 movies and 150+ shows. Although, to be fair, holding a large quantity of third-party content isn’t Plex’s primary function. The Plex app works as a server that’ll deliver your personal content to your devices instead of relying on a string of paid-monthly services.

For sports fans: ESPN+

When it comes to sports, it’s pretty hard to beat ESPN+. Modeled after the flagship ESPN network, ESPN+ streams live sports like MLB, NCAA, and NHL games along with impressive sports commentary shows. Plus, as of now, the only way to stream UFC title card events is with an ESPN+ subscription. Just don’t expect live NBA or NFL games at this time. ESPN+ costs $5.99/mo. or $50/yr. By contrast, Plex is priced lower than ESPN+ at $4.99/mo. or $39.99/yr. But, if you’re a sports fan who wants to stream games live, you’ll still need a live third-party service or an antenna.

If you take our advice by matching up your Plex Pass account with a digital antenna and tuner, you can record and save live games that you can watch at your convenience.

For newsworthy channels: CBS All Access

CBS All Access may not have tons of live TV channels like cable-alternative services, but it delivers quality live TV programming. CBS All Access costs a buck more than Plex at $5.99/mo. Now, if you’re not a fan of ads, you can get the ad-free version for $9.99/mo. But just to be clear, the ad-free status only applies to on-demand content. Live TV is still subject to commercial breaks.

Like with sports, you can bypass a third-party streaming service and get local news channels with a digital antenna. And with Plex Pass, you can keep up to date with the latest news coverage in 4K resolution.

For kids: Disney+

Disney+ focuses entirely on family-friendly movies and TV shows that grant access to the Disney universe. Disney+ opens up its vault with 600+ titles, providing beloved movies and series from Disney, Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, and Star Wars. For only $6.99/mo., you’ll receive kid-tested favorites like 101 Dalmatians, Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers series, Little Einsteins: Our Big Huge Adventure, Lion King, Spider-Man series, The Mandalorian series, Toy Story, and WALL•E.

Disney+ offers a few other fantastic features. For instance, you can download an unlimited number of Disney+ titles or watch on up to 4 screens simultaneously. So, even though you don’t technically own the content as you would with Plex, you can at least benefit from Disney+’s flexible features.

Overall value: Hulu

Hulu is one of the most affordable video-on-demand (VOD) streaming services on the market, especially considering how it carries over 4,000 movies and TV shows. Priced at just $5.99/mo., Hulu’s on-demand library is pretty vast for its price tag. And if it’s the ads that are keeping you away from Hulu, you can opt for Hulu No Ads for $11.99/mo. For even more savings, you can get Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for only $12.99/mo. That means you’ll get a wide range of entertainment and sports coverage tied into a single monthly fee.

The final cut

Plex might not be identical to VOD and over-the-top (OTT) cable-alternative services, but it’s still a way to bring all of your personal media under one app. But, the Plex app doesn’t end there. Similar to Pluto TV, Plex now offers over 100 free channels that stretch from entertainment to some news and sports channels. Are Plex’s channels the same quality as traditional TV networks? Not by a long shot. But if you’re into alternative forms of media, its channels might just strike your fancy. However, your best bet is to connect your Plex Pass subscription with a digital antenna. That way, you can gain local news and sports without depending on any third-party services.

Plex doesn’t currently offer a free trial period for Plex Pass. But that’s okay. You can still create a free Plex account and take advantage of its channels and content without opening your wallet. And if you want premium features like DVR and 4K support, you can always upgrade your account to Plex Pass.

Plex at a glance

Plex Channel List

Plex channels

Plex local channels

Plex sports channels

How do Plex’s channels compare to competitors?

For entertainment channels: STARZ

For sports fans: ESPN+

For newsworthy channels: CBS All Access

For kids: Disney+

Overall value: Hulu

The final cut

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