Exclusive: Samsung TV Plus launches in Australia

Owners of recent model Samsung TVs might start noticing a small little extra on their screen soon with Samsung TV Plus launching quietly in Australia this week.

The service has been in operation in various countries around the world for some time, but is now available on Samsung TVs in Australia.

What is Samsung TV Plus?

Launched almost five years ago, Samsung TV Plus is the Korean tech giant’s internet streaming live TV service.

There are over 500 channels on the service globally, around 120 in America but nothing like those numbers here in Australia.

While the channels appear on the screen in the same way as traditional Live Free-to-Air channels, they are in fact delivered via your internet connection as streaming channels.

What Channels can I watch on Samsung TV Plus in Australia?

As at today, there are thirty channels available on Samsung TV Plus in Australia – here’s the full list:

• BLOOMBERG TV+
• DUST ANTHOLOGY
• MADE IN HOLLYWOOD
• FAILARMY
• PET COLLECTIVE
• PEOPLE ARE AWESOME
• WEATHER SPY
• BOUNTY +
• THE ASYLUM
• FUEL TV
• INSIGHT TV
• INTROUBLE
• INWONDER
• INWILD
• MAVTV (MOTORSPORTS NETWORK)
• QWEST MIX
• QWEST JASS & BEYOND
• QWEST CLASSICAL
• STINGRAY KARAOKE
• TASTEMADE
• REAL STORIES
• TIMELINE
• WONDER
• TRAVELXP
• GUSTO TV
• HORSE AND COUNTRY
• NATURESCAPE (STINGRAY)
• VENN
• DRYBAR COMEDY
• RYAN AND FRIENDS

Is Samsung TV Plus Free?

The channels are free to watch, there is no app to download, it’s almost like tuning into our own channels 7, 9 or 10 etc.

While the content is free to watch, there are advertisements within the channels during the broadcast and we’ve already seen some local Aussie ads appear this morning, including one for Koala Mattresses.

Is it worth having a look?

To be honest, these are very very niche channels on Samsung TV Plus in Australia, they are low quality in many cases, but if you like the content, then it’s a simpler viewing process than going into a YouTube rabbit hole.

Some of the channels appear to be a live playlist of content you might normally find on YouTube or other online services.

Additionally, much of the content is available “on demand” via the Samsung TV Plus service using your remote – if you want to skip right to what you’re looking for.

What next for the Streaming channels?

While the big name channels might not be there now, imagine Samsung builds an audience with Samsung TV Plus in Australia, the numbers might compel some other channels to join.

Personally, I’d love to see our Free-to-air channels place their own streamed channels into the service, allowing those without an antenna to get easy access to our free TV channels

Karaoke anyone? That’s on Channel 1285 with Stingray Karaoke.

Nothing official yet from Samsung, but find Samsung TV’s online.

Thanks to Triple M Newcastle’s Tanya Wilks for the tip!