What is Samsung TV Plus? The Ultimate Streaming Guide

Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) services are revolutionizing the content consumption pattern. Within this broad spectrum, Samsung TV Plus has emerged alongside the growing trend of cord-cutting, being able to draw a significant number of users over the years. 

Owing to rising cable costs and the desire for personalized content choices, not only Samsung but other FAST platforms too have been gaining traction over the years. 

With a 50% increase in the viewership year-on-year globally, Samsung TV Plus has become the most-used app on Samsung TVs, particularly among viewers aged 18-49 in the United States. 

Additionally, there are currently 535 million active devices with Samsung TV Plus globally, across TVs and mobiles. This highlights the significance of the advantages that these FAST platforms are able to deliver to the consumers.

Now, let’s dive deeper and explore in detail covering an in-depth guide. We will begin with looking at what Samsung has been up to lately.

What is Samsung TV Plus?

Launched in 2015, this is a free ad-supported streaming service providing live and on-demand content. It comes built-in with Samsung smart TVs and requires no subscription or hardware to access the content.

With the rising number of cord-cutters the significance of online streaming services is becoming a favorable option for viewers across the globe. In this era, Samsung has been able to achieve a milestone of 88 million monthly active users globally which translates to 50% increase in viewership year-over-year as of October 2024.

Stay updated: What’s new on the Samsung TV Plus?

• Samsung has launched its first European channel dedicated to K-pop. With an investment of over 4,000 hours of K-content, this makes Samsung TV Plus one of the largest providers of Korean scripted and unscripted TV series and movies in Europe.

Where to find it?

  Samsung TV, Smart Monitor, Galaxy, and Family Hub lineups. 

• Samsung has implemented its Vision AI suite of features in this year’s lineup of smart TVs. The advanced capabilities of this technology will be brought to Samsung TV Plus to enhance users’ entertainment and simplify interactions.

What are its features?

Live Translations, Circle to Search, Generative Wallpaper, Home Insights and Pet and Family Care.

Key takeaways 

• Samsung TV Plus, a FAST streaming service that offers live and on-demand content, has 88 million monthly active users globally.The platform has been able to gain a significant share owing to the rising cord-cutting trend.
• Samsung TV Plus offers 3000+ channels with a variety of content, available in 24 regions, supporting multiple languages with targeted ads in pre-roll and mid-roll formats while catering to various audience interests.
• It offers a free, ad-supported streaming service along with a vast library of on-demand content, live TV channels, and multi-device access. It also comes with its own limitations in regional availability, channel selection and features. 
• Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas seem to have a reliable market for further growth, while other regions may require additional targeted efforts to strategize and capitalize on the revenue potential.
• It offers a smooth streaming experience across multiple platforms by providing access through various devices, including Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy smartphones and tablets, laptops, and desktops.

Overview 

• Global Reach: Approximately 24 regions worldwide
• Language Support: > 10 
• Channels available: >3000
• Content Variety:

• News & Opinion
• Entertainment
• Sports & Outdoors
• Lifestyle
• Movies
• Music
• International
• Kids & Family
• Comedy
• Ad-format: Pre-Roll and Mid-Roll Ads
• Ad Duration: 15 seconds to 1 minute
• Ad control:  Non-skippable
• Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
• Type of advertising: Targeted 

How Does Samsung TV Plus Work?

1. Content Acquisition

• Partnerships with Content Providers: content is gathered by partnering with various content providers, such as TV networks, studios, and digital publishers.

• Licensing Agreements: Samsung streams content after permission is granted by content providers. 

2. Content Management

• Content Ingestion: Content is ingested from various sources, including TV networks, studios, and digital publishers.
• Content Encoding: The ingested content is encoded into various formats to ensure compatibility with different devices and internet connections.

3. User Interface and Experience

• Smart TV Integration: Samsung TV Plus is integrated into Samsung smart TVs, ensuring easy access.

• Channel Guide: Samsung TV Plus provides an electronic program guide (EPG) that lists available channels and programming.

4. Content Delivery

• Storage: A cloud-based infrastructure is used to store and deliver content.

• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Content is delivered via CDNs across different regions to ensure an uninterrupted streaming experience.

Pros of Samsung TV Plus

1. Free to Use

The service can be accessed with no subscription fees, hidden charges, or pay-per-view costs. It is a value provider that benefits Samsung customers.

2. One-step-access

There is no need for creating an account, streaming can be done after installing the Samsung TV Plus app or by turning on the Samsung device.

3. Wide Selection of Live TV Channels

A variety of content is offered to cater to different interest groups, covering all age groups. Samsung live TV channels cover multiple categories.

4. High-Quality Streaming

On compatible Samsung devices, the content is streamed in High-Definition (HD) with sharp visuals and minimal buffering when supported by a stable internet connection.

5.  On-Demand Content

The library of content includes various Samsung channels, providing flexibility to watch at the user’s preferred time. Additionally, the content is regularly updated, making sure it resonates with the audience. 

6. Multi-Device Access

A versatile service that is compatible with Samsung Smart TVs (2016 models and newer), Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets, and web browsers.

7. Easy-to-Use Interface

Samsung TV Plus free channels are simple and intuitive to navigate, guiding the user to browse the platform. This helps users of all knowledge levels to access it with ease.

Cons of Samsung TV Plus

1. Limited Channel Selection

Unlike paid streams or traditional cable, Samsung channels might be limited, lacking comprehensive content for users needing variety.

2. Ads

Users might find the ads to be frustrating, which can discourage them from watching. While some are used to interruptions, others might find them disruptive.

3. Availability Limited to Samsung Devices

Samsung TV Plus is limited to Samsung’s ecosystem, making them unavailable for non-Samsung users.This limits exclusive streaming content from reaching a broader audience.

4. Regional Availability

The availability of content and channels is not universally accessible. Certain countries or regions may be unable to experience the full range of content.

5. Limited Features Compared to Paid Streaming Services

It is a good deal as a free ad-supported monetization model, but for the same reason, it also lacks certain features provided by paid platforms.

Samsung TV Plus Channels List

News & Opinion:

• CBS News 
• ABC News Live 
• NBC News NOW 
• LiveNOW from FOX 
• Scripps News 
• Fox Weather 
• WeatherNation 
• BBC News 
• Sky News 
• CBC News International 
• Bloomberg TV+ UHD 
• Bloomberg Originals 
• Yahoo Finance 
• Newsmax2 
• Real America’s Voice 
• Salem News Channel
• The First 
• TYT Network 
• The Hill 

Sports & Outdoors:

• Fubo Sports Network 
• Stadium 
• ACC Digital Network 
• Outside TV+ 
• Insight TV 
• Eleven Sports 

Lifestyle:

• Samsung Wild Life 
• Tastemade 
• The Preview Channel 

Movies:

• Movie Hub 
• Movie Hub West 
• Movie Hub Action 
• Movie Hub Romance 
• Hallmark Movies & More 
• Movie Favorites by Lifetime 
• MovieSphere 
• Pluto TV Fantastic 
• Miramax Movie Channel 
• CINEVAULT 
• CINEVAULT Classics
• Paramount Movie Channel 
• The Rotten Tomatoes Channel 
• Gravitas Movies 
• MyTime Movie Network 

Music:

• Stingray Qello 
• Latido Music 
• VEVO 

International:

• Mhz Now 

Kids & Family:

• Dove Channel 

Comedy:

• Comedy Dynamics 
• RiffTrax 
• GAMR 365 
• Dry Bar Comedy 
• LOL! Network 

Consumption Pattern of Samsung TV Plus

Year	Growth Rate (%)
	Asia Pacific	Americas	Europe	Other Regions
2016	2.30%	-0.80%	1.00%	16.90%
2017	34.70%	41.40%	30.00%	62.20%
2018	-0.30%	3.50%	2.60%	-2.80%
2019	-11.30%	-16.10%	-2.90%	20.40%
2020	7.50%	8.90%	4.00%	0.60%
2021	17.10%	23.50%	18.30%	7.60%
2022	8.10%	9.60%	8.00%	2.70%

How To Stream On Samsung Tv: Access Samsung Tv Plus From Various Devices

1. Samsung Smart TVs (2016 models and later)

Samsung Smart TVs (2016 models and later) usually come with the Samsung TV Plus app pre-installed. If not, it can be downloaded from the Samsung Smart TV app store. If pre-installation is not done, it can be downloaded from the app store on the Samsung Smart TV.

 Here’s how to access it:

• Step 1: Once your Samsung TV is turned on, use your TV remote to open Smart Hub by pressing the “Home” button.
• Step 2: In the “App” section, find the Samsung TV Plus app.
• Step 3: By selecting the Samsung TV Plus app, you can access Samsung’s live TV channels and its content library once the TV loads the app.
• Step 4: Browse through to find the content of your choice and start streaming.

2. Samsung Galaxy Smartphones and Tablets

The Samsung TV Plus App is available on Samsung Galaxy devices that run on Android 8.0 (Oreo) or the later versions. If pre-installed, you can start using the app immediately.

In case pre-installation is not done, following these steps to access it:

• Step 1: Search for Samsung TV Plus in Google Play Store on your Samsung Galaxy device.
• Step 2: Install the Samsung TV Plus app.
• Step 3: Open the Samsung TV Plus app once it is installed.
• Step 4: Browse through to find the content of your choice and start streaming.

3. Samsung Laptops and Desktops

Access on Samsung laptops or desktops can be gained through an app or a web browser.  

Here’s how to access it:

• Step 1:In your laptop or desktop browser, visit the Samsung TV Plus website or download the app from the official site if supported by your operating system.
• Step 2: You can choose to proceed by signing up as a new user or skipping this process to access the library of channels and on-demand content.
• Step 3: Browse through to find the content of your choice and start streaming.

4. Samsung’s Smart Hub (For Smart TVs and Devices)

This applies to Samsung Smart TVs with an integrated Smart Hub. In this case, the TV Plus is directly integrated into the platform. 

Here’s how to access it:

• Step 1: Navigate to the Samsung TV Plus app in the Smart Hub interface by pressing the “Home” button on your TV remote.
• Step 2: Browse through to find the content of your choice and start streaming.

5. Samsung Frame TV

The steps are the same as accessing other Samsung Smart TVs. The Samsung Smart Hub interface is optimized for the Frame TV’s high-definition display, ensuring a seamless experience.

Wrapping Up

Samsung TV Plus has emerged as a FAST platform, successfully catering to various interest groups. With Samsung TV’s free channels, users can easily meet their entertainment needs. Their efforts to enhance user engagement have led to success. Moreover, with an integrated platform, Samsung continues to enhance user experience through technological advancements.

While it has gained a significant market share, limitations still exist in content variety and availability on non-Samsung devices. But this has not hindered its growth, given the compelling shift that cord-cutters are making. With Samsung’s focus on expanding its channel lineup and strategic initiatives to improve the platform, more users are likely to embrace this service in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)