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You can watch movies and live TV on a smart TV without adding another paid streaming subscription. Start by searching your television’s app store for free, ad-supported services such as Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex; availability depends on your country and exact TV model. These services generally show commercials, and their catalogs and channel lineups can change.
1. Watch on-demand movies and shows with Tubi
Tubi is a free, ad-supported service for watching films and television on demand. Its welcome page describes the service as free and names supported platforms. The Tubi Help Center’s US device list includes Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs.
Search for Tubi in your TV’s app store and install it if it is available for your set. If the app is missing or does not work as expected, Tubi advises updating both the app and the device operating system. The US device list is not a guarantee of availability in every country or on every model.
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2. Use Pluto TV for live channels and on-demand movies
Pluto TV combines live, scheduled channels with on-demand movies. Its device page lists supported devices, including smart TVs. Look for Pluto TV in your television’s app store; whether it is offered depends on your location and device support.
#1 Best Overall
- 4k Ultra HD (2160p resolution): Enjoy breathtaking HDR10 4K movies and TV shows at 4 times the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current content to Ultra HD-level picture quality.
- High Dynamic Range: Provides a wide range of color details and sharper contrast, from the brightest whites to the deepest blacks.
- All-in-one: Get right to your good stuff. With Fire TV, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, stream for free with Fire TV Channels, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more. Access over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Smart Home: Your smart home hub. Pair Fire TV with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use AirPlay, control your lighting and thermostat, and more.
- Free Content: Stream for free. Access over 1 million free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
3. Try The Roku Channel on a compatible TV
The Roku Channel brings together live channels, free shows, and movies. Roku Support describes it as offering 500+ live channels and says it can be watched on Roku devices, compatible Samsung Smart TVs, and compatible Amazon Fire TV devices. That channel count is Roku’s description on its support page, last updated June 23, 2026; it should not be read as a guarantee that every channel is available in every region or on every listed device. See Roku’s instructions for getting The Roku Channel.
If you do not own a Roku device, check your TV’s app store first: the Roku Channel may be available directly on a compatible Samsung TV or Fire TV device.
Rank #2
- Breathtaking picture: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 55" flat screen TV, while the QLED screen and HDR10 create bright, accurate colors. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
4. Check Plex for free live TV and on-demand titles
Plex offers free, ad-supported live TV and on-demand movies and shows. Its support information covers live TV and video on demand. Plex identifies Roku and fully supported smart TVs for live TV, but compatibility varies by TV model. Check Plex’s current device guidance for your exact television before relying on it.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches5. Look for a free channel service from your TV’s maker
Some television makers offer free channels through a built-in service or app. Look through the home screen, app store, or live-TV guide for a service included with your particular model. Do not assume a specific service is present just because the TV brand offers one: availability can vary by model, region, and software.
Rank #3
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR: Powerful processor enhances colors and sharpens details for a vibrant 4K viewing experience. Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- MOTION XCELERATOR: Experience clear picture and smooth motion in games and sports. Enjoy smooth motion and clear visuals with technology that estimates and adjusts frame transitions in real time. Whether gaming or watching sports, enjoy up to 4K 60Hz performance that brings every play, move and scene to life with realistic clarity and motion.
- COLOR BOOSTER: Supercharge your color. From fiery reds to sparkling blues, make every color come to life with intensity. Color Booster transforms your content into a visual masterpiece.
- 4K UPSCALING: Upgrades what you watch to crisp 4K clarity. Upgrade your favorite shows, movies and more. Experience incredible details and clarity in every frame, even from lower-quality sources, with advanced upscaling technology.
6. Browse the TV platform’s free-channel guide
Smart-TV platforms may surface free channels alongside subscription apps. Open the television’s guide or free-TV section and check the current lineup on your own set. Channel selection and availability are platform- and location-dependent, so treat the guide displayed on the TV as the practical check rather than expecting a particular lineup.
7. Add a streaming device only if the TV cannot run the app
An external streaming device is a fallback, not a requirement for free streaming. If an app you want is missing from the TV’s store, see whether a compatible streaming player offers it. For example, Tubi’s US device list includes Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. Confirm that the app and device are supported where you live before buying anything.
Rank #4
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR: Powerful processor enhances colors and sharpens details for a vibrant 4K viewing experience. Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ENDLESS FREE CONTENT: Watch 2,700+ free streaming options, including 750+ subscription-free channels on Samsung TV Plus. Enjoy news, sports, movies, kids' shows and reality TV — all without a subscription. Discover endless entertainment with new content added regularly, tailored to your mood and interests.*
- MOTION XCELERATOR: Experience clear picture and smooth motion in games and sports. Enjoy smooth motion and clear visuals with technology that estimates and adjusts frame transitions in real time. Whether gaming or watching sports, enjoy up to 4K 60Hz performance that brings every play, move and scene to life with realistic clarity and motion.
- COLOR BOOSTER: Supercharge your color. From fiery reds to sparkling blues, make every color come to life with intensity. Color Booster transforms your content into a visual masterpiece.
- 4K UPSCALING: Upgrades what you watch to crisp 4K clarity. Upgrade your favorite shows, movies and more. Experience incredible details and clarity in every frame, even from lower-quality sources, with advanced upscaling technology.
How to choose the right option
| Option | What it offers | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Free, ad-supported on-demand movies and shows. | Whether the app is listed for your TV and country; update the app and TV software if needed. |
| Pluto TV | Live scheduled channels and on-demand movies. | Device support and location. |
| The Roku Channel | Live channels, shows, and movies; Roku states 500+ live channels. | Compatible device and regional availability; the channel figure is Roku’s own description, not a universal lineup guarantee. |
| Plex | Free, ad-supported live TV and on-demand titles. | Compatibility with your exact smart-TV model, especially for live TV. |
| TV-maker or platform guide | Potentially built-in free channels. | The current apps and channels on your specific TV in your location. |
For a movie to watch whenever you choose, start with an on-demand library such as Tubi. For a channel guide and scheduled programming, try Pluto TV or Plex, or check the free-channel guide on the television. Before installing or buying a device, search your TV’s app store and confirm local availability. Expect commercial breaks on services that identify their content as ad-supported.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- A treat for the eyes: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 43" flat screen TV, while colors pop off in lifelike clarity with HDR10. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
