Free Live TV Channels List 2026
Looking for free live TV channels that actually work? This list covers dozens of channels you can stream legally in 2026, sorted by category, with the free app that carries each one.
Where to Find Free Live TV Channels
Most free channels in the U.S. are carried by a handful of free streaming apps. They pay for the channels with short ads, so you can watch without a subscription or an account. These are the apps used in the list below.
Pluto TV
Hundreds of channels in a cable-style guide.
The Roku Channel
Free live TV on the web, phones and TVs.
Samsung TV Plus
Built into Samsung TVs, also in a browser.
Tubi, Plex and Xumo Play also carry many free channels. Line-ups change from time to time, so a channel may move between apps. For setup steps, see our best TV apps guide.
Free Live News Channels
| Channel | Where to watch free |
|---|---|
| ABC News Live | ABC News app, Roku and other free apps |
| CBS News 24/7 | CBS News app, Pluto TV |
| NBC News NOW | NBC News app, YouTube, Samsung TV Plus |
| LiveNOW from FOX | LiveNOW app, YouTube, Roku |
| Scripps News | Roku, Pluto TV |
| Bloomberg Originals | Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus |
| Local news (many cities) | Haystack News, local station apps |
More options are in our free live news channels guide.
Free Sports Channels
Free apps carry sports news, highlights, classic games and niche leagues. They rarely show full live NFL or NBA games, which need an antenna or a paid service. See our live sports channels guide for those.
- NFL Channel (highlights, classic games and shows)
- CBS Sports HQ (sports news and analysis)
- FOX Sports channels on free apps (highlights and shows)
- PGA Tour channel (golf highlights)
- Billiards, poker, outdoors and extreme sports channels
Free Movie and Entertainment Channels
Movie channels
Action, comedy, drama, horror, westerns and classic movie channels on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Tubi.
Classic TV
24/7 channels for well-known sitcoms, crime dramas and game shows.
Reality and lifestyle
Cooking, home renovation, travel and reality channels.
Kids and family
Cartoons, kids shows and family movies, often in a separate kids mode.
If you mainly want films, our free movie apps guide compares the biggest free libraries.
How to Start Watching in Two Minutes
- Choose one free app, such as Pluto TV.
- Install it from the official app store on your TV, Firestick or phone, or open its website.
- Open the Live or Guide tab and pick a channel.
- Add your favorite channels so they appear first next time.
These channels are a legal and safe alternative to sites like TVApp, which went offline in June 2026. You can read more on our TheTVApp status page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are free streaming channels legal?
Yes. Apps like Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus license their channels and pay for them with ads, so they are fully legal to watch.
Do I need an account to watch free live TV?
Usually not. Pluto TV, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus and Xumo Play work without an account. Some apps ask you to sign in only to save favorites.
Can I watch these channels on a smart TV?
Yes. Samsung TVs include Samsung TV Plus, Roku TVs include The Roku Channel, and most other smart TVs can install Pluto TV or Tubi from their app store.
Which app has the most free channels?
Pluto TV has one of the largest free channel line-ups in the U.S., with hundreds of channels across news, movies, sports and entertainment.
Pick an App and Start Watching
Compare free and paid live TV apps for every device.
Best TV Apps Guide