Google TV users will get even more free channels in time for the holidays
- The total number of free channels now stands at 171
- Google TV Freeplay remains exclusive to the US
- There has been a huge growth in free television with advertisements recently
We’ve already added dozens of new free-to-watch channels to Google TV in 2024, and another update rolled out before the holidays, bringing the number of channels available to US viewers to more than 170.
This latest update was noticed by 9to5Googleand should now be available if you’re using a television set or streaming device with the latest Google TV software on it. You can find them under the Google TV Freeplay app.
The new channels are Best of Dr Phil, Xumo Free Holiday Movie Channel, Xumo Free Holiday Classics, Xumo Christian Christmas, Continuum, Z Nation, The Design Network, Filmrise: Classic TV, UFC, Unbeaten, Big 12 Studios, Waypoint TV and PursuitUP .
There are also updates to Stingray Greatest Holiday Hits, Stingray Soul Storm Christmas and Stingray Hot Country Christmas. These new channels follow on from Designated Survivor and Places & Spaces – The Great Christmas Light Fight added in November.
Let them come
That brings the total number of channels available in Google TV Freeplay to 171 – although as 9to5Google notes, some of those will likely only be available during the holidays (as a few of those title channels suggest).
One channel has been removed at a time: it appears that Motortrend Fast TV is no longer available. Undoubtedly, this chopping and changing of content will continue in 2025.
We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of free ad-supported television (FAST) channels available on streaming platforms in recent years: there are hundreds more available on apps like Plex, Tubi and PlutoTV.
You may remember that Google TV added additional channels in August and September of this year, as well as at other times in 2024. The software has also gained many new features in the past 12 months.