Vizio Smart TVs provide a wide range of entertainment options without requiring a cable subscription. With WatchFree+, you get over 300 free live TV channels, including news, sports, movies, and kids’ shows. Vizio TVs also support popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Tubi. This guide offers a comprehensive list of channels and apps available on Vizio Smart TVs in 2025, based on the latest information from May 2025. It includes setup guides, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions to help you get the most out of your Vizio TV.
What is WatchFree+?
WatchFree+ is Vizio’s free, ad-supported streaming service, offering over 300 live TV channels and 15,000+ on-demand movies and shows. It’s built into most Vizio Smart TVs released after 2018. No subscription or extra device is needed. Access it by pressing the WatchFree+ button on your remote or selecting it from the input menu. The service covers various genres, from news to reality TV.
How to Access WatchFree+
- Press the WatchFree+ button on your Vizio remote.
- Select WatchFree+ from the input menu.
- Browse channels using the on-screen guide or search for content.
Free Channels on Vizio TV
WatchFree+ offers over 300 channels across multiple categories. Below is an updated list of popular channels, including recent additions from 2025, sourced from Vizio’s official channel guide.
News & Opinion
Stay informed with global and local news.
- FOX Live Now (Ch. 200)
- CNN Headlines (Ch. 201)
- CBS News 24/7 (Ch. 205)
- BBC News (Ch. 216)
- AccuWeather Now (Ch. 219)
- Newsmax2 (Ch. 210)
- Scripps News (Ch. 306)
- Cheddar News
- Bloomberg Originals
- Reuters 60
- Yahoo Finance
- The Hill TV
- Real America’s Voice
- OAN Plus
Local News
Access regional news in select U.S. markets.
| Channel Name | Location | Channel Number |
|---|---|---|
| WAGA (FOX 5) | Atlanta | 945 |
| WTTG (FOX 5) | Washington DC | 946 |
| KTTV (FOX 11) | Los Angeles | 955 |
| WANF Atlanta News First | Atlanta | 961 |
| KTVK/KPHO Arizona’s Family | Phoenix | 962 |
| WFSB Eyewitness News 3 | Hartford/New Haven | 969 |
| FOX 13 Seattle | Seattle | 951 |
| FOX 32 Chicago | Chicago | 953 |
| FOX 19 Now Cincinnati | Cincinnati | 970 |
| WSB-TV 2 Atlanta | Atlanta | 963 |
Sports
Enjoy live sports and related content.
- NFL Channel
- FOX Sports
- MotorTrend
- MLB Network
- Top Gear
- Fubo Sports
- Women’s Sports Network
- Bellator MMA
- PBR Ride Pass
- World Poker Tour
- SportsGrid
Movies
Watch films across genres.
- Pluto TV Movies
- AMC Thrillers (Ch. 300)
- Black Cinema by Pluto TV (Ch. 669)
- FilmRise Horror (Ch. 685)
- Maverick Black Cinema (Ch. 677)
- 50 Cent Action
- Cinevault Classics
- Scares by Shudder
- MovieSphere by Lionsgate
- Ebony TV by Lionsgate
- HerSphere by Lionsgate
- FilmRise Sci-Fi
- Free Movie Network
TV Shows
Access popular series.
- Star Trek by Pluto TV
- The Walking Dead Universe
- TV Land Sitcoms
- Beverly Hills 90210
- Heartland
- Doctor Who Classic
- The Conners
- Degrassi by Pluto TV
- Ice Road Truckers
- Designated Survivor
- Nikita
Crime
Explore true crime and mystery.
- 48 Hours by Pluto TV
- Court TV
- Forensic Files
- Crime 360
- Unsolved Mysteries
- CSI: Miami by Pluto TV
- Cold Case Files
- Investigation
- Real Crime
- The FBI Files
Western & Classic TV
Enjoy classic shows and Westerns.
- Cinevault Westerns
- The Rifleman by Pluto TV
- Classic Cinema
- Johnny Carson TV
- The Addams Family
- Happy Days by Pluto TV
- The Carol Burnett Show
- FilmRise Western
- Western Bound
Game Shows
Watch fun game show content.
- Buzzr
- The Price is Right: The Barker Era
- Deal or No Deal
- Family Feud Classic
- Supermarket Sweep
- Celebrity Name Game
- Wipeout Xtra
- Game Show Central
Reality
Dive into reality TV.
- Dance Moms
- Jersey Shore by Pluto TV
- Love & Hip Hop
- Black Ink Crew
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
- Project Runway
- The Amazing Race
- Survivor by Pluto TV
- The Challenge
Comedy
Laugh with comedy channels.
- Comedy Central by Pluto TV
- Tosh.0 by Pluto TV
- Comedy Dynamics
- FailArmy
- Always Funny Pranks & Fails
- LOL! Standup
- Wild ‘n Out
- The Pet Collective
Nature & Science
Explore the natural world.
- BBC Earth
- Love Nature
- Real Wild
- Science Is Amazing
- Popular Science
- Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan
- Cosmic Frontiers
Food & Travel
Discover culinary and travel shows.
- America’s Test Kitchen
- Tastemade Food & More
- GoTraveler
- Hell’s Kitchen | Kitchen Nightmares
- The Jamie Oliver Channel
- Bon Appétit
- Journy
Kids & Family
Family-friendly content for all ages.
- Nick Jr. Pluto TV
- PBS Kids
- Baby Shark
- Bob the Builder
- Sensical Jr. (Ch. 997)
- Dora the Explorer
- Teletubbies
- Super Simple Songs
- Cocomelon
- Transformers
Lifestyle & Home
Find home improvement and lifestyle shows.
- This Old House
- Tastemade Home
- Homeful
- Tiny House Nation
- Gardening with Monty Don
- Four in a Bed
- Home Crashers
History & Documentary
Learn about history and real-world stories.
- History Channel
- Curiosity Now
- Military Heroes
- Antiques Roadshow
- Declassified
- History Hit
- Modern Marvels
Music
Enjoy music videos and concerts.
- Vevo Country
- Vevo Hip-Hop
- Stingray Music
- Qello Concerts
- TikTok Radio
- Stingray Classic Rock
- Vevo ’80s
- Vevo ’90s
Spanish Language
Access Spanish-language content.
- Estrella TV
- Sony Canal
- Novelas
- BeIN Sports Xtra
- Zona TUDN
- AMC en Español
- Estrella News
Other Notable Channels
- Paranormal Files
- The Bob Ross Channel
- RetroCrush
- TED
- Pure Flix TV
- Loupe Art + Music
- Stingray Naturescape
Accessing Local Channels
WatchFree+ includes 20 new local news channels from FOX and Gray Television, covering cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Seattle, as noted in Vizio’s Platform Plus news. Examples include:
- WAGA (FOX 5) Atlanta
- KTTV (FOX 11) Los Angeles
- WFSB Eyewitness News 3 (Hartford/New Haven)
- FOX 19 Now Cincinnati
To access local channels via an antenna:
- Connect an antenna to the TV’s coaxial port.
- Go to the TV’s menu and select “Tuner” or “Channels.”
- Run a channel scan to find available broadcasts.
- Save channels for easy access.
Streaming Apps Available on Vizio TV
Vizio Smart TVs support a wide range of streaming apps. Some require subscriptions, while others are free.
Featured Apps
- Netflix
- Prime Video
- Disney+
- Hulu
- YouTube TV
- Peacock
- Apple TV
- Paramount+
Free Movies & TV Apps
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
- Crackle
- Xumo Play
- PBS
- FilmRise
- Vizio WatchFree+
- The CW
Movies & TV Apps
- Starz
- Fubo
- HBO Max
- Showtime
- BET+
- Lifetime Movie Club
- AMC+
News & Opinion Apps
- Newsy
- Haystack News
- Court TV
- Fox Nation
- CBS News
- NBC News
- The First
Kids & Family Apps
- Disney Junior
- Nick Jr.
- PBS Kids
- Kidoodle.TV
- Cocomelon
- Toon Goggles
Sports & Fitness Apps
- ESPN
- Fox Sports
- NBA
- Fubo Sports
- DAZN
- FITFUSION by Jillian Michaels
Music Apps
- Spotify
- Pandora
- iHeartRadio
- Vevo
- SiriusXM
- Amazon Music
Lifestyle & Food Apps
- Tastemade
- Food Network
- HGTV
- Homeful
- Bon Appétit
- Cooking Channel Go
Gaming & Anime Apps
- Twitch
- Crunchyroll
- Funimation
- Retro Crush
- ConTV
International Apps
- Rakuten Viki
- Univision
- Sony Canal
- Canela.TV
- ViX
How to Access Channels and Apps
- WatchFree+ Channels: Press the WatchFree+ button or select it from the input menu. Browse channels using the on-screen guide.
- Streaming Apps: Download apps from the SmartCast app store or cast from a mobile device using the Vizio Mobile app.
- Subscriptions: Apps like Netflix or Hulu require a subscription. Sign in with your account to access premium content.
For detailed setup instructions, visit Vizio’s support page.
Over-the-Air Channels on Vizio TV
Vizio TVs have built-in tuners for over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. To set up OTA channels:
- Connect an antenna to the TV’s coaxial port.
- Navigate to “Tuner” or “Channels” in the TV menu.
- Run a channel scan to detect available broadcasts.
- Save channels for easy access.
Available OTA channels depend on your location and antenna quality. SmartCast models may not display a traditional OTA channel guide, but you can press the Info button for channel details, as noted in a 2020 Reddit thread.
Troubleshooting Common Vizio TV Issues
Vizio TVs may face issues like slow performance or connectivity problems. Here are solutions:
- Slow Performance: Clear app cache (Settings > Apps > System Apps > Clear Cache). Restart the TV by unplugging it for 20 seconds.
- Wi-Fi Issues: Ensure a stable network connection. Disable router’s Auto-Optimize Network or enable DHCP (Network > Manual Setup > DHCP).
- No Signal: Check antenna or cable connections. Run a manual channel scan (Menu > Channels > Find Channels).
- App Crashes: Update firmware (Settings > System > Check for Updates) or perform a soft reset (Settings > System > Soft Power Cycle).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get local channels on my Vizio TV?
Use WatchFree+ for local news in select regions (e.g., FOX 5 Atlanta). Alternatively, connect an antenna and run a channel scan. Available channels vary by location.
What channels are free on Vizio TV?
WatchFree+ offers over 300 free channels, including FOX Live Now, NFL Channel, Pluto TV Movies, and Nick Jr., all ad-supported.
How do I add channels to my Vizio Smart TV?
WatchFree+ channels are pre-loaded. Download streaming apps from the SmartCast app store or cast from a mobile device.
Does Vizio TV have a channel guide for OTA channels?
SmartCast models lack a traditional OTA channel guide. Press the Info button for channel details.
Can I watch cable channels on Vizio TV?
Connect a cable box via HDMI to access cable channels. WatchFree+ and streaming apps offer alternatives to cable.
Why is my Vizio TV slow?
Slow performance may result from a weak Wi-Fi connection or full cache. Clear app cache, update firmware, or use an Ethernet cable for better speed.
Can I use streaming devices with Vizio TV?
Yes, devices like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast can be connected via HDMI to access additional apps and local channels.
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