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PS5 Live TV Is Free in the U.S.: How to Watch It
PS5 players in the U.S. can now watch free live TV from the console without opening a separate streaming device. PlayStation says Live TV on PS5 includes more than 100 live channels plus on-demand shows, movies, sports, anime, news, and other entertainment.
The service is ad-supported, so gamers do not pay a separate viewing fee. You can find it in the PS5 Media section and sign in with your PlayStation account to start watching.
How to open Live TV on PS5
PlayStation gives three steps for opening the service from the PS5 home screen.
- Go to the Media tab on your PS5.
- Select the Live TV on PS5 icon.
- Select Sign In With My PlayStation Account and finish the sign-in.
The service is built into the PS5 Media area, so you do not need to search the PlayStation Store for a separate TV app.
What you can watch
The launch lineup covers several kinds of entertainment, so the feature is not limited to gaming videos or esports.
- Movies: Channels include MovieSphere by Lionsgate, Sony One Horror Hits, FilmRise Free Movies, and Cinevault.
- TV: Programs include Community, The Walking Dead, Hell’s Kitchen, Forensic Files, and Unsolved Mysteries.
- Anime: PlayStation names Naruto, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, and Crunchyroll channels among the launch choices.
- Sports: The lineup includes programming from FOX Sports, NASCAR, NBC Sports Now, and UFC.
- News and weather: NBC News Now, Fox Weather, and LiveNOW from FOX are among the available choices.
- Gaming and creator shows: The service also includes gaming, esports, podcasts, Hot Ones, The Ringer, and other creator-led programming.
You need a PlayStation account
PlayStation says the setup asks you to sign in with your PlayStation account before watching. The announcement does not say that PlayStation Plus is required, and it describes Live TV on PS5 as free and ad-supported.
The feature is U.S.-only for now
Live TV on PS5 launched for players in the United States. Sony says it is looking at expanding the service to Canada and may explore more regions later.
Channel choices can also change by local TV market. PlayStation says programming may change over time and plans to refresh the service with new channels and content.
Who the feature is useful for
Live TV on PS5 gives the console another use when you are finished gaming. A PS5 connected to a living-room TV can now handle games and a large set of free TV channels from the same home screen. Gamers who already use the console for streaming apps may find the new Media option especially easy to try.
