There are plenty of players in the free streaming world these days. You’ve got big names like The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV, along with other free streaming apps like Samsung TV Plus and MyFree DirecTV. But as I’ve tried relying more on free streaming due to rising subscription costs (looking at you, Netflix and HBO Max), one service I’ve found myself turning to again and again is one that’s actually better known for something else entirely.
Plex is likely a name you’ve heard before, as it’s a popular app that helps you host and organize your own media server. However, in 2019, to turn the platform into more than just a media server tool, Plex launched its own ad-supported streaming service built directly into the app, letting you stream thousands of movies and TV shows on demand, entirely for free.
But Plex didn’t just add free on-demand content. Since 2019, it’s also been steadily building a lineup of FAST (free ad-supported TV) channels, and the total number of channels available in the US has now climbed to over 600, rivaling The Roku Channel’s size. And now, Plex is expanding its lineup of free channels once again, adding 13 new channels (via Cord Cutter News).
Some of the highlights from Plex’s latest free additions include channels built around Warner Bros.’ vast content library, like Classic Cinema by WBtv, which focuses on older films, and Space & Beyond by WBtv, which leans into sci-fi content. Here’s a list of all 13 free channels Plex has just added:
- Generation Drama by WBtv
- Survive or Die by WBtv
- Medical Incredible by WBtv
- Classic Cinema by WBtv
- Space & Beyond by WBtv
- The Prog G Channel
- Popular Science
- Ghosts Are Real by WBtv
- Cosmic Frontiers
- Garden by Monty Don
- Home Cooking on the Food Channel
- Complex TV
- Out Movies
- notable shows
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Broadchurch, The Kids in the Hall, The Fall
- notable movies
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Warrior, A Walk to Remember, Heat, Halloween
- Premium Subscription
-
No
- Originals
-
No
How to find these free channels and more on Plex
If you need something new to watch, Plex has you covered
If you’re interested in checking out these new free channels on Plex, or browsing the thousands of free on-demand movies and shows it already offers, getting started is pretty straightforward.
For starters, the Plex app is free and available to download on most major platforms and devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV devices, Samsung TVs, LG TVs, as well as Xbox, PlayStation, Android, and iOS.
Once you’ve got the app installed, you can access the free channels by heading to the Live TV section in the top menu. If you’re more interested in on-demand content, you can find it under the On Demand section, then select the Free option from the drop-down menu.
To find the new channels Plex has just added, you can either scroll through the Live TV guide to track them down or use the search function, which I’ve found is the quicker option.
You don’t need to have a Plex account to access its free content.
While I’ve been enjoying The Roku Channel on my Roku Ultra lately, Plex has quietly become one of my go-to free, ad-supported streaming services, largely thanks to its sheer volume of content. With more than 600 free channels and thousands of on-demand movies and shows, it’s rarely a struggle to find something worth watching.
Since canceling Netflix earlier this year, I’ve relied on a couple of other free streaming services in addition to Plex and The Roku Channel, including Pluto TV and Tubi. If you’re in a similar boat and want to cut down on your monthly streaming bill while still having worthwhile content to watch, these free streaming services are definitely worth checking out.
In other Plex news, the service recently announced it will raise the price of its Lifetime Plex Pass to $750 on July 1. It currently costs $250, so if you use Plex’s media server tools and want to use its advanced features, you may want to grab it before the price becomes insanely high permanently. However, if you just use Plex for its free ad-supported content, a Plex Pass isn’t something you need to worry about.
