Original draft’s last-verified label: 2026-09-17. Claims have not been reverified for this edition. Country, plan, dates, and [VERIFY] flags below belong to the original research; they do not establish current availability. References to unbuilt tools are omitted in this reader edition.
The best free, legal streaming services for TV shows in 2026 are Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Plex, LG Channels and Xumo Play, plus free sections of network apps like PBS and NBC. All of them are paid for by ads instead of subscriptions, and none require a credit card. Which one is "best" depends on the kind of TV you watch: binge-able back catalogs, live-style channels, or recent network episodes.
Everything below is legal and licensed.
FAST vs AVOD: the two kinds of free streaming
Free services mix two formats, and knowing the difference helps you pick one.
AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) works like Netflix with commercials. You pick a show and an episode, and ads play at breaks. Tubi is the biggest AVOD library.
FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) works like cable. You flip through a channel guide of linear channels that are always playing, often dedicated to a single show or genre (for example, a 24/7 channel of one classic sitcom). Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels are FAST-first.
Most big free services now offer both: a live guide plus an on-demand library.
| Format | How you watch | Good for | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVOD | Pick any episode, pause, resume | Binge-watching a full series | Tubi, The Roku Channel on-demand, Plex on-demand |
| FAST | Tune in to a channel already playing | Background TV, channel surfing, news | Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Xumo Play |
Quick comparison
| Service | Owner | Format | Account needed? | Best TV for | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Fox Corporation | Mostly AVOD, plus live channels | No (optional) | Deep back catalogs, crime and drama, anime, Tubi originals | Web, mobile, most TV platforms |
| Pluto TV | Paramount Skydance | FAST plus on-demand | No | Single-show channels (classic CBS and Nickelodeon titles), reality marathons | Web, mobile, most TV platforms |
| The Roku Channel | Roku | FAST plus AVOD | No on Roku devices; sign-in on some platforms [VERIFY] | Roku originals, licensed dramas, huge live guide | Roku devices, web, mobile, some other TVs [VERIFY] |
| Samsung TV Plus | Samsung | FAST plus some on-demand | No | Live news and themed channels | Samsung TVs, Galaxy phones, web [VERIFY] |
| LG Channels | LG | FAST | No | Live channels built into the TV | LG smart TVs [VERIFY other platforms] |
| Plex | Plex Inc. | FAST plus AVOD | Free account | Mix of classic TV and movies next to your own media library | Web, mobile, TV platforms |
| Xumo Play | Xumo (Comcast and Charter joint venture) | FAST plus on-demand | No | News, classic TV channels | Web, mobile, Xumo devices, many smart TVs and streaming players |
| PBS app | PBS and member stations | On-demand (free window) plus local livestream | No for free window; PBS Passport for full library | Documentaries, British drama, kids' shows | Web, mobile, TV platforms |
Tubi
Tubi is the largest free on-demand library in the US and is owned by Fox Corporation. Its TV section leans on complete runs of older network and cable series, true crime, reality, international series, anime and a growing slate of Tubi originals. Fox has owned Tubi since 2020, and Tubi passed 100 million monthly active users in June 2025, according to reporting summarized on Wikipedia [VERIFY the latest figure in Fox's most recent earnings release]. It also began adding Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. library titles in March 2026 (same source) [VERIFY with Tubi announcement].
Good for: Finding a full series you missed years ago, anime, and crime docuseries. Watch out for: Titles rotate in and out monthly, and Tubi does not always carry every season of a show.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is Paramount's free service. It is best known for hundreds of FAST channels, many built around a single series from Paramount's library, such as CBS procedurals, classic sitcoms and Nickelodeon cartoons [VERIFY current single-series channels]. It also has an on-demand section. Pluto TV is owned by Paramount Skydance, formed when Skydance's merger with Paramount Global closed in August 2025 (Variety).
Good for: Channel surfing and background viewing, marathons of shows you already know.
The Roku Channel
Roku's own service combines a large live guide with an on-demand library and Roku originals. It is preinstalled on Roku devices and also available on the web and mobile. Roku also uses The Roku Channel as a storefront for paid Premium Subscriptions, so not everything you see there is free; look for the "Free" label.
Good for: Roku owners, recent-ish originals, and a mix of FAST and on-demand in one place.
Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels
Both are built into their makers' smart TVs, so if you own a Samsung or LG set, you already have them. They are primarily FAST: a channel guide with news, sports highlights, classic TV, reality and international channels. Samsung TV Plus also runs on Galaxy devices and in a web player [VERIFY], and has added on-demand titles.
Good for: Zero-setup live TV on a TV you already own. Watch out for: Limited use outside the brand's own devices.
Plex
Plex is known as software for organizing your own media, but it also offers free, ad-supported movies, TV and live channels. You need a free account. Starting in April 2025, Plex made remote streaming of personal media a paid feature for Plex Pass and Remote Watch Pass subscribers and raised Plex Pass prices (Wikipedia summary [VERIFY current prices on plex.tv]), but its free ad-supported movies, shows and live channels are separate and remain free.
Good for: People who already use Plex for personal media and want free channels in the same app.
Xumo Play
Xumo Play is the free streaming service from Xumo, a 50/50 joint venture of Comcast and Charter formed in 2022. It offers 190+ FAST channels across categories such as news, kids, comedy and movies, plus on-demand titles, and runs on Xumo devices, many smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, mobile and the web (Wikipedia summary [VERIFY channel count on xumoplay.com]).
Good for: Comcast or Spectrum customers with Xumo devices, and news channels.
What happened to Crackle?
Crackle, one of the oldest free streaming services, is effectively gone. Its owner, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 29, 2024; the case was converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation in July 2024, and the court-appointed trustee kept Crackle's US site running only until June 2025, according to Deadline reporting summarized on Wikipedia [VERIFY whether any Crackle app or brand has been relaunched by a new owner as of September 2026]. If you see a Crackle app in a store, check the publisher before downloading.
Freevee is gone
Amazon shut down Freevee, its free streaming service, in 2025 and moved its free content into Prime Video (CNBC). [VERIFY whether viewers without a Prime membership can still watch any free, ad-supported titles in the Prime Video app.]
Crunchyroll's free tier ended
If you used Crunchyroll for free anime, note that it ended its free, ad-supported tier on December 31, 2025 (Yahoo Entertainment). Legal free anime in the US now comes mostly from Tubi, Pluto TV and RetroCrush.
PBS and free network apps
PBS app
The PBS app offers recent episodes of many PBS shows free for a limited time, plus a local station livestream in many markets. Older episodes and full back catalogs usually require PBS Passport, a benefit for members who donate to their local station, typically starting at $5 a month or $60 a year (PBS Help). PBS stations have faced funding pressure since Congress rescinded federal funding for public broadcasting in 2025 [VERIFY], which may affect local offerings.
Good for: Documentaries, Masterpiece dramas (free windows), science and kids' programming.
Network and cable apps
Some network apps still post free episodes, often a few days after broadcast and sometimes requiring a TV-provider login for full seasons. Examples include NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX apps, though the free offering varies and several networks now steer viewers to Peacock, Disney+/Hulu, Paramount+ or Fox One [VERIFY current free-episode policies for each network app]. YouTube also hosts full, legal episodes on some official channels.
Which free service should you try first?
- You want to binge a whole series: Tubi, then The Roku Channel.
- You want TV playing in the background: Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus or LG Channels.
- You own a Roku: The Roku Channel.
- You love documentaries and British drama: PBS app.
- You want free anime: Tubi or Pluto TV.
- You already use Plex: Plex's free section.
FAQ
What is the best free streaming service for TV shows?
Tubi is the best free option for on-demand TV shows because it has the largest free library of complete series. Pluto TV is better if you prefer live, channel-style viewing.
Are free streaming services like Tubi and Pluto TV legal?
Yes. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Plex and Xumo Play license their content and pay for it with advertising.
What is the difference between FAST and AVOD?
FAST services stream linear channels you tune in to, like cable. AVOD services let you choose any episode on demand. Both are free and show ads.
Do I need an account for free streaming services?
Usually not. Tubi, Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus work without an account, though signing in saves your progress. Plex requires a free account.
Is Crackle still available?
No, not as a working US service as far as we can confirm. Crackle's parent company was liquidated after a 2024 bankruptcy, and its US site was kept running only until June 2025.
Can I watch new episodes of network shows for free?
Sometimes. Some network apps and PBS post recent episodes free for a limited time, but many new episodes now require a paid streaming service or a TV-provider login.
Sources
Accessed September 17, 2026.
- Variety, Skydance closes Paramount deal (Aug. 2025): https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/paramount-skydance-deal-closes-1236477281/
- CNBC, Amazon to shut down Freevee (July 2, 2025): https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/02/amazon-freevee-streaming.html
- Yahoo Entertainment, Crunchyroll ending free ad-supported tier: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/crunchyroll-ending-free-ad-supported-180750377.html
- PBS Help, PBS Passport: https://help.pbs.org/support/solutions/articles/5000692392
- Fox Corporation, Fox One launch: https://www.foxcorporation.com/news/corp-press-releases/2025/fox-one-announces-august-21-launch-date-and-pricing/
- Wikipedia, Tubi (ownership; 100 million MAU milestone; 2026 library additions): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubi
- Wikipedia, Crackle (bankruptcy and US wind-down, citing Deadline, June 29, 2024): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crackle_(streaming_service)
- Wikipedia, Plex Inc. (2025 remote streaming and pricing changes): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plex_Inc.
- Wikipedia, Xumo (ownership, Xumo Play platforms and channel count): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xumo
- [VERIFY and add] Fox Corporation latest earnings release (Tubi audience); Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels official pages; Plex pricing page; Deadline coverage of Chicken Soup for the Soul bankruptcy