I mostly use my Fire TV to stream my favorite TV shows or movies that I didn’t have a chance to catch at the cinema. I also stream music on my TV, thanks to the seamless integration with Spotify and YouTube Music.
But one thing I haven’t used often on Fire TV is access to free livestreaming TV channels. I’ve wasted a chunk of money for years paying for third-party over-the-top live TV services that I rarely use.
That was until I fully realized Fire TV has features that let me get the same services without paying a dime. Here’s how I use the feature and get live TV on my large screen.
It was a mistake not to explore Fire TV earlier
Free live TV channels were hiding in plain sight
Before I got my Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, I relied on premium online streaming apps to watch live TV, mostly for the NBA playoffs or finals, tennis majors, and to catch up with news after dinner or winding down in the living room with my phone or tablet.
I also have access to free live TV apps on my LG and TCL smart TVs, but they lack mobile app support for managing content, unlike on my Fire TV at home.
Although they’ve served me for many years, juggling multiple platforms and apps wasn’t worth it. It’s also a waste of money considering I have a Netflix subscription and a Fire TV at home.
Amazon keeps improving and adding both paid cable-replacement and free ad-supported live TV apps (FAST), with the latest being Spectrum TV, launched this April.
I regret not diving into these Fire TV apps sooner.
These live TV channels won’t cost you a penny
I skipped paying for the same access
If you have a Fire TV setup, either from a plug-in like Sticks or built into the TV, accessing these free live TV channels is straightforward.
They come as apps, for both premium and free versions. The only difference is the features and content each app offers.
Most premium live TV sources offer more channels, support DVR (digital video recording), and remote streaming. But having the free tier works best for casual viewing.
You might also find that some apps aren’t available in certain countries and regions, but with a VPN, you can access them in geo-restricted places.
How to set up and browse free live channels on Fire TV
I don’t need to create an account
There are a few ways to launch and access these apps. But the quickest is through the Live TV button on the Alexa remote.
This opens a list of channels and sources in a guide mode. However, this doesn’t include all apps that offer live TV streaming.
Another is on the home screen of the new Fire TV OS interface. There’s a carousel of apps which also features these apps and channels suggested by Amazon, such as Tubi, NBC, History, Fox, Hulu, MLB, and more.
Clicking one takes you to the app page, where you can see the download button if you haven’t installed it.
Amazon has its own app and shortcuts that aggregate these live TV sources and channels, called Fire TV free channels, along with dedicated hubs for music, sports, and news.
I found the Fire TV free channels limited to a few apps on my end, but this might be due to my region, so if you reside in other countries, the app list will be different.
Alternatively, you can access more apps or search for one by going to the side panel menu and scrolling to the Appstore.
When downloaded, launch the app. You might be prompted to sign in or sign up, though many apps like Plex and Tubi don’t require an account.
Inside the app, you get access to different content, including 24/7 live channels.
For example, Plex offers on-demand libraries and dedicated channel guides for scrubbing the timeline or switching channels, which makes navigation and content filtering quicker.
Managing free live TV apps
Pin or rearrange apps for quicker access
In-app controls vary by service, but you can usually manage TV sources and channels in the Live TV hub in Settings or with the dedicated button in the Alexa remote.
You can add favorite channels to your custom watchlist. After they’re added, you can access the Live TV button for the quickest access.
As for the apps, you can pin them to the home screen for faster access without digging or scrolling deep into the main app carousel.
We’ve prepared a guide on how to make your home screen organized and cleaner to help with that.
If you have limited storage, you can offload or uninstall apps if they are listed on your home screen.
Why I stopped paying for live TV services
I wish I had discovered these free live TV channels on my Amazon Fire TV earlier. I could have saved a few Benjamins over the years instead of shelling out for bloated channels I never clicked.
If you haven’t checked them out yet, explore this content before renewing another expensive monthly streaming subscription.
The only major requirement for this type of free content is a stable internet connection to ensure the best video quality while streaming, which is a tiny price to pay to cut your monthly television or cable bill to zero.
