The cell phone has also become a TV screen. Today, you can watch live channels, news, and entire programs on your smartphone without paying a subscription, as long as you use services that are licensed to display this content. The apps below are free, are available in official stores (Google Play and App Store), and are supported by ads or registration. The channel offerings vary from country to country, so it's worth checking what's available in your region.
1. PlutoTV
Pluto TV is a streaming platform that offers a variety of live TV channels and on-demand content for free. With a user-friendly interface, the app allows you to watch movies, series, news, and live TV programs. Pluto TV is available in several regions of the world, including Brazil, and can be downloaded directly from your mobile phone's app store. The service is funded by advertisements displayed during programming.
2. Samsung TV Plus
Samsung TV Plus brings together free linear channels, with movies, series, cartoons, news, and themed programs. It comes pre-installed on many Samsung phones and TVs and can also be accessed through a web browser. Like Pluto TV, it works without a subscription because it is funded by advertising. The channel lineup varies by country.
3. Globoplay
Globoplay is the official app of Grupo Globo. Most of the catalog of soap operas, series, and movies is paid, but the app offers free content to those who register, including program excerpts, reports, and, in much of the country, live TV Globo programming. Before subscribing to any plan, it's worth opening the app and seeing what's available in the free account in your city.
4. TVCatchup
TVCatchup is a British app that offers access to a large selection of UK TV channels. It allows you to watch live programs. If you are interested in British channels, TVCatchup is an option, but note: the service is aimed at those in the UK and does not work in all countries. The app is available for download in your mobile phone's app store.
5. PeacockTV
Peacock TV is a streaming service from NBCUniversal offering TV shows, movies, news, and sports. It's designed for the United States audience, and the free portion of its catalog has been reduced in recent years, so that most content now requires a subscription. This is worth mentioning for those who live in or travel to the United States; the app is not officially available in Brazil.
Beware of "free TV" apps.“
When researching this topic, it's common to find apps that promise all pay-TV channels for free and can only be installed via files downloaded outside of Google Play and the App Store. These apps retransmit signals without authorization from the rights holders and are often gateways for viruses, data theft, and scams. Therefore, they don't appear on this list. Always prefer official app stores and the apps from the broadcasters themselves.
Conclusion
It's possible to watch TV on your cell phone without paying a subscription using free and legal services, such as Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, and the free area of Globoplay. These apps are supported by ads or registration and do not offer all the channels of pay TV. Channel availability varies depending on the region and the broadcasting rights of each program.
Before downloading any app, check the reviews in the store and who the developer is. With these options, you can take part of your programming wherever you want, more safely and without depending on dubious sources. Test the mentioned apps and see which one best suits what you usually watch.
