Google TV adds more than 800 free TV channels

Following reports in 2021 that Google would incorporate ad-supported channel services into its Google TV platform to enhance its appeal, the company recently announced the addition of over 800 free channels to the platform. These include multimedia player Plex, news aggregation service Haystack News, free streaming service Tubi, and prominent American news channels such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX. Furthermore, the platform offers programs in languages like Spanish, Hindi, and Japanese.

This move is inherently tied to Google’s efforts to compete in the television content market, vying for market share against rivals such as Roku, Amazon, Apple, and even Samsung.

Previously, Roku attracted a user base through free channel offerings, while Apple incorporated numerous free channels into its Apple TV products. Similarly, Amazon’s Fire TV has drawn viewers with its free content, and Samsung has begun incorporating its complimentary Samsung TV Plus streaming service into its smart TVs. Samsung even announced earlier this year that it would extend this free service to more television brands to attract additional users.

Consequently, Google’s announcement to include more than 800 free channels on its Google TV platform is a strategic move to boost the platform’s allure and pursue further collaborative opportunities.

Google plans to gradually replace the existing Android TV platform with Google TV. After initially unifying the interfaces of Android TV and Google TV, the company will likely integrate additional free channel content to bolster its position within the television market.