Sony Just Turned the PS5 Into a Free TV Service With Over 100 Channels!

Sony is giving PS5 owners another reason to keep their console on when they're not playing games. The company has launched Live TV on PS5, a new service with more than 100 free channels, plus movies and shows you can watch on demand.

And no, you don't need PlayStation Plus or another monthly subscription. There is a catch, though: the service is supported by ads.

Live TV on PS5 uses the FAST model, which stands for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television. Instead of paying each month, you watch the content for free with ads.

The service is built right into the PS5. Users can open the Media tab, select Live TV on PS5 and sign in with their PlayStation account. There is no separate app to install and no extra membership needed.

The channel list is surprisingly large. Sony has content from FOX, NBCUniversal, ESPN, Lionsgate, NASCAR, UFC, Crunchyroll and several other companies.

There is quite a lot to watch at launch. Movie channels include MovieSphere by Lionsgate, FilmRise Free Movies and Sony One Horror Hits, while TV shows include The Walking Dead, Community, The Shield, Hell's Kitchen and Unsolved Mysteries.

Anime fans aren't being left out either. Naruto, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter and My Hero Academia are part of the service, while Crunchyroll is also providing dedicated channels.

Sports could be one of the more useful parts of Live TV on PS5. Content comes from FOX Sports, NASCAR, NBC Sports Now, UFC and the NFL Channel. News and weather are also covered through channels such as NBC News Now and Fox Weather.

I think this is a smart move from Sony. Many people already use their PS5 for Netflix, YouTube and other streaming apps, so adding free TV directly to the console feels like a natural next step.

More importantly, Sony isn't asking users to pay for yet another subscription. Ads aren't ideal, of course, but getting more than 100 channels for free makes them much easier to accept. I can easily see people finishing a gaming session and switching straight to a movie, anime or sports channel without leaving the PS5.

There is one problem for now. Live TV on PS5 is only available in the United States, with Canada expected to follow. Sony hasn't announced a launch date for Europe yet.

Sony says more channels and content will be added over time. If the service eventually reaches more countries, the PS5 could become a much more complete entertainment device - and not just a console you turn on to play games.