Sony is adding free television to the PS5 home screen. Live TV on PS5 is a new entertainment hub, accessible straight from the console’s Media tab, that gives every adult PlayStation account holder access to over 100 live channels and on-demand content spanning movies, TV, anime, sports and news — with no subscription, sign-up or extra download required.
What Live TV on PS5 Actually Offers
Live TV on PS5 sits inside the existing Media tab, next to the console’s other entertainment apps, rather than arriving as a standalone download. Once a player selects the Live TV on PS5 icon and logs in with their PlayStation account, Sony links the service to a Sony Pictures CORE account (or an existing one) and opens up a mix of live channels and on-demand picks: fan-favorite series, dedicated anime channels, live sports, breaking news and weather, creator-led content, documentaries, podcasts and more. Sony says new channels and programming will be added over time.
How to Watch Live TV on PS5
Getting into Live TV on PS5 takes three steps: open the Media tab from the PS5 home screen, select the Live TV on PS5 icon, then log in with a PlayStation account to start watching. Both the DualSense wireless controller and the Media Remote work for navigation, and closed captioning is available through the Audio & Subtitles button during playback, following the console’s own accessibility settings. Sony confirms the entire experience is free, with both live channels and on-demand titles included at no cost and no account tier required beyond a standard, adult PlayStation account in an eligible territory.
Why It Matters for the Living Room
Live TV on PS5 is Sony’s clearest move yet to position the console as a default media hub rather than a device that is switched off the moment a gaming session ends. Game consoles have chased this kind of always-on entertainment positioning for years, but bundling a genuinely free, ad-supported live-TV tier directly into the system UI — with zero extra subscriptions — removes the biggest friction point for casual use. For PS5 owners who already use the console as their main living-room box, Live TV on PS5 gives them one more reason to leave a streaming stick unplugged.
Pricing and availability
Live TV on PS5 is available now, free of charge, for adult PlayStation account holders in eligible territories. No additional subscription, download or payment is required; access is granted directly through the Media tab after linking a PlayStation account to a Sony Pictures CORE account.
Key specifications
- Access point: Media tab on PS5 home screen
- Content: 100+ live channels plus on-demand movies, TV, anime, sports, news and more
- Cost: Free, no subscription required
- Account requirements: Adult PlayStation account, linked Sony Pictures CORE account
- Controls: DualSense wireless controller or Media Remote
- Accessibility: Closed captioning via Audio & Subtitles menu
- Availability: Eligible territories, live now
It’s a natural extension of Sony’s existing console-entertainment push, following on from PS5 features such as the Sony PS5 first look coverage on this site. Full details and the official FAQ are available on the Live TV on PS5 page at PlayStation.com.
