Vizio mobile app gets free streaming channels
If you own a Vizio TV, you may already be familiar with Vizio’s WatchFree Plus offering and its many free streaming channels.
The free, ad-supported service was previously exclusive to smart TVs, but has now been rolled out by Vizio to its mobile app for iOS and Android devices. You can now access more than 300 live channels in the app, including sports, news, local, entertainment and kids’ options, Vizio said Thursday.
While the channels are available to free TV fans in the U.S. with or without a Vizio device, you’ll need to create an account to watch. You’ll also need to download the Vizio app on your phone — usually, Vizio’s free streaming service is built into TVs.
Vizio’s WatchFree Plus is one of a legion of services offering free, ad-supported television, or FAST, content. Tubi and Pluto TV are examples, but you can browse more options using our best of list.
When I navigated to a WatchFree Plus tab on an iPhone, I saw a continuously playing channel at the top that I could switch to but not pause. I could quickly jump between channel categories, such as “news & opinion,” “game shows,” and “science & nature,” as well as favorite channels by swiping right on them.
According to Vizio, users could already control Vizio TVs and sound bars using the phone app. Users can also launch apps like Netflix and YouTube on their Vizio TV from a Home tab.
