Plex is expanding its free, ad-supported TV (FAST) offerings through a strengthened partnership with NBCUniversal. Users can now access a wider range of NBCU channels without needing a paid “Plex Pass” subscription.
Here’s the Lowdown: Starting this week, Plex is adding a bunch of new channels, including local news streams from major cities (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc.), sports content via NBC Sports Now (replays and niche events), and classic Saturday Night Live clips on SNL Vault. Reality TV fans get channels like The Real Housewives, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing. There are also a range of channels in Spanish.
What This Means Now: Plex users have a lot more free content to choose from, covering news, sports, and entertainment in both English and Spanish. You don’t need a paid Plex subscription to watch these channels; they’re supported by ads.
The Bigger Picture: This move strengthens Plex’s position in the increasingly competitive FAST market. By offering a broad selection of content from a major media company like NBCUniversal, Plex is making its platform more attractive to users who want free, convenient access to a variety of programming. The channels are available on most devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, phones, and tablets.
