Sony recently announced an entirely new feature for PS5 users: free live TV. In short, any PS5 owner with a PlayStation account now has access to a range of ad-supported live TV channels directly through their console, no extra charge.

Still, the new “Live TV on PS5” feature isn’t the only way you can watch movies and TV for free. Below, I’ve broken down how to access the new app, as well as what other (potentially better) free media options you have on your console.

How to Watch Live TV for Free on Your PS5

To access the new live TV channels, you’ll need a PlayStation 5 and a PlayStation account. Right now, the new Live TV feature is only available in the U.S., with plans to expand into Canada in the near future.

Here’s how you get to the new app:

1. Go to your media tab
2. Hit Live TV on PS5
3. Sign into your PlayStation account

While PlayStation technically says the service doesn’t require a subscription, this PlayStation account will be used to link to a Sony Core Pictures account, which predates this new feature. It’s what you’d use to buy or rent movies and series through your PlayStation, kind of similar to Prime Video, and is also available as a separate streaming subscription.

The user interface replicates the cable style of live TV, giving you an opportunity to see upcoming schedules for each available channel. As with most modern streaming interfaces, you’ll also get personalized and themed recommendations.

You won’t have endless access to the live TV channels you’d get out of a paid subscription like Hulu + Live TV or ESPN Unlimited. Instead, the offerings are more like reruns from classic channels. You get free movies from channels like MovieSphere and Sony One Horror Hits, and channels dedicated to full TV shows like Community, The Walking Dead, and Naruto. You’ll also get limited sport programming as well as local news and weather through NBC and Fox.

In truth, the selection isn’t likely vary too much from other free ad-supported television (FAST, as some like to call it) channels. Speaking of…

Other Free Streaming Services on PS5

This new feature isn’t technically your own free live TV option. There’s two other particularly great free streaming apps you can access on PS5 consoles, though you’ll have to download them as individual apps as opposed to accessing them directly from the Media menu.

Pluto TV

Pluto TV is under the Paramount umbrella and offers its own spread of over 400 channels, including tons of free movies and shows. That Paramount umbrella gets you a pretty wild range, including the John Wick movies, Top Gun: Maverick, Pitch Perfect, and ridiculous amounts of Star Trek. You’ll also get access to some local CBS news stations.

Tubi

Tubi was acquired by Fox back in 2020, and its been on a bit of a tear since then. Its picked up some classic cartoons that were previously dropped by streamers like HBO Max, and also happens to have a great selection of anime. You never know what you’ll find on Tubi, but some big hits include the Kung Fu Panda movies, Men in Black, and the Jurassic World movies. Tubi also offers live TV, including sports reruns and local news under that Fox banner.

Bonus: YouTube and Twitch

Yeah, it’s not exactly free TV shows or movies, but if you’re looking for solid and free entertainment, you’ll definitely find something on the classics: YouTube and Twitch. These are both also available as apps through your PS5, and as long as you’re cool with some ads, have probably more hours of content than anything else.

Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who, when she isn’t following streaming news, spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.