Live TV on PS5 is free, supported by ads, and rolling out to adult PS5 accounts in the United States on August 31, 2026. Sony says the service offers more than 100 live channels plus on-demand movies, television, anime, sports, news, and creator programming. No paid subscription or separate download is required.

Live TV on PS5 quick facts

  • Price: free with ads; PlayStation Plus is not required.
  • Content: more than 100 live channels plus a growing on-demand library.
  • Launch territory: United States; Sony is looking to expand to Canada but has not announced a date.
  • Where to find it: the Media tab on the PS5 home screen; there is no app download.
  • Account requirement: an adult PlayStation account plus a new or existing Sony Pictures CORE account.
  • Controls: DualSense and the PS5 Media Remote are both supported.

How to watch Live TV on PS5

Sony’s setup flow takes place entirely from the console home screen:

  1. Open Media. From the PS5 home screen, switch from Games to the Media tab.
  2. Select Live TV on PS5. Choose the television-shaped Live TV icon from the Media row.
  3. Connect your account. Select “Log In With My PlayStation Account.” The service will ask you to create a Sony Pictures CORE account or link one you already have.
  4. Start watching. Browse the live guide or select on-demand entertainment. The official FAQ says no additional download is needed.

If the icon is not visible, the official launch material does not provide a manual download or a separate Store listing. Sony describes an August 31 U.S. rollout for eligible adult accounts, so checking the account territory and trying again after the rollout reaches the console is more useful than searching the PlayStation Store.

The PS5 Media tab displays the Live TV icon above a Community channel guide with rows of live programming.
The service appears directly in the PS5 Media tab and combines a live channel guide with on-demand choices. Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Sony Pictures Television.Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Sony Pictures Television

Do you need PlayStation Plus for Live TV on PS5?

No. Live TV on PS5 does not require PlayStation Plus or another paid subscription. PlayStation’s FAQ describes the service as completely free, while the launch announcement identifies it as ad-supported. A regular PlayStation account and a linked or newly created Sony Pictures CORE account are still required.

The “free” description applies to the Live TV on PS5 service itself. It does not turn unrelated paid streaming apps or PlayStation Plus benefits into free content.

Which free channels and shows are included?

Sony has not published a fixed master list for every local market, but its launch announcement names the following examples:

  • Movies: MovieSphere by Lionsgate, 50 Cent Action, FilmRise Free Movies, Sony One Horror Hits, and Cinevault, covering action, horror, science fiction, and other genres.
  • TV shows: Community, The Shield, Hell’s Kitchen, The Walking Dead, Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries, Deal or No Deal USA, Fear Factor, and Ice Road Truckers.
  • Anime: Naruto, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, and Death Note, plus exclusive Black Clover and Crunchyroll Box Sets channels.
  • Sports: FOX Sports, NASCAR, NBC Sports Now, UFC, and programming across football, hockey, motorsports, golf, boxing, soccer, and MMA.
  • News and weather: NBC News Now, Fox Weather, and LiveNOW from FOX, including national, local, and international coverage.
  • Creators and specialty programming: Hot Ones, Spotify’s The Ringer, Futcrunch, Idle Mode, podcasts, documentaries, gaming, esports, and the exclusive eCLUTCH channel.

Programming can vary by local television market and change over time. Sony says channels and on-demand content will be refreshed, so the console guide is the accurate source for what is available in a specific U.S. location on a given day.

Is Live TV on PS5 available in Canada or other countries?

Not at launch. Sony confirms only the United States for August 31. The company says it is looking to expand the experience to Canada and will explore additional regions, but it has not published a Canadian date or an international rollout schedule.

That wording is a plan, not a confirmed launch window. Readers outside the United States should wait for an official territory announcement rather than changing account regions or treating the U.S. date as worldwide.

Closed captions and controller support

During playback, the Audio & Subtitles control marked with a CC icon enables captions. Caption styling follows the PS5’s device-level accessibility settings. Viewers can navigate the service with either a DualSense wireless controller or the PS5 Media Remote.

What Sony has not announced

  • Canada date: planned, but no date or launch window has been given.
  • More territories: under consideration, with no country list or schedule.
  • Permanent lineup: not promised; channels and programs can rotate or differ by market.
  • PS4 or standalone access: not announced; the current service and instructions are specifically for PS5.

For another current PlayStation service update, see Pixel Twelve’s PlayStation Plus September 2026 lineup, or follow News for confirmed changes to Live TV on PS5 availability and channels.