Sony Launches Free Live TV Streaming App with 100 Channels on PS5

Live TV on PS5 launches today (Aug. 31, 2026) in the United States as a free ad-supported service from Sony Pictures Television.
The lineup includes exclusive content such as eCLUTCH programming and Crunchyroll channels like Black Clover and Box Sets.
Early programming details spotlight specific channels and shows, including Ice Road Truckers from HISTORY and MovieSphere by Lionsgate.
Sony frames Live TV as a way to reach the hard-to-reach gaming audience, with Peter Wood noting that gamers engage with video differently than typical connected-TV audiences; the PS5 has surpassed 95 million units sold globally.
Sony has launched Live TV on PS5, a free ad-supported streaming app with over 100 live channels, available today in the United States VGChartz. The service brings movies, TV shows, anime, sports, and news directly to the PS5's Media section, with Canada and Bravia TVs getting access later in 2026 PlayDay. Users simply sign in with their PlayStation account to start watching.
The move marks Sony's bet on reaching cord-cutters and gamers through gaming hardware. Live TV pulls content from major partners including Lionsgate, FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, and ESPN, with exclusive channels like Crunchyroll's Black Clover and HISTORY's Ice Road Truckers IGN. The PS5 has sold over 95 million units globally, giving Sony a massive captive audience.
Live TV targets a demographic traditional TV struggled to reach: gamers who skip cable GameSpot. Sony Pictures Television designed the service around how gamers actually consume video—different from traditional couch viewers. With the PS5 in 95+ million homes, the platform offers advertisers direct access to this hard-to-reach group without forcing subscription fees.
The launch lineup includes exclusive programming not found elsewhere. Crunchyroll anime channels like Black Clover and Box Sets sit alongside HISTORY's Ice Road Truckers and Lionsgate's MovieSphere VGChartz. The service mixes live sports from FOX Sports and ESPN with on-demand movies and creator-led content, giving users variety without leaving the PS5 home screen.
Live TV on PS5 reflects the broader shift toward ad-supported streaming (FAST) GameSpot. Netflix, Disney, and others have all launched cheaper, ad-supported tiers to compete with cable's decline. Sony is now banking on gaming devices—the one screen gamers already stare at for hours—as the next battleground for free, ad-supported TV viewership.
Live TV starts in the US today but Sony plans regional rollouts throughout 2026 PlayDay. Canada launches later this year, followed by availability on Bravia smart TVs, broadening reach beyond gaming consoles. Sony says the service will keep evolving with new channels, live events, and localized content to match different markets.
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