PS5 Live TV Setup, Channels & Availability
Learn how to open Live TV on PS5, where it works, whether it is free, what content it offers, and what to check when the icon is missing.
Current answer
Live TV on PS5 is available to PS5 players in the United States as a free, ad-supported service from Sony Pictures Television. It offers more than 100 live channels plus on-demand programming. From the PS5 home screen, open Media, select the Live TV on PS5 icon, then choose “Sign In With My PlayStation Account.” Canada and other regions do not have confirmed launch dates.
- Launch region
- United States
- Cost
- Free · ad-supported
- Live channels
- More than 100 at launch
- On-demand
- Included · selection grows and changes
- Console
- PlayStation 5
- Account step
- PlayStation account sign-in
- Canada
- Planned exploration · no date
- Last verified
- September 1, 2026
US launch only
If the Live TV icon is missing outside the United States, that matches the current launch scope. PlayStation says it is looking at Canada and additional regions but provides no dates.
How to start Live TV on PS5
The official route takes three steps from the console home screen.
- 01
Open the Media tab
Action availableSwitch from Games to Media at the top of the PS5 home screen.
- 02
Select Live TV on PS5
Action availableOpen the dedicated Live TV icon from the Media section.
- 03
Connect your PlayStation account
Action availableChoose “Sign In With My PlayStation Account” and follow the on-screen account flow.
Live TV on PS5 region status
Availability is a service-region decision, not a console-language setting.
| Item | Current status | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| United StatesConfirmed | Available | Launch market for PS5 players |
| CanadaMonitoring | Not dated | PlayStation is looking to expand the experience |
| Other regionsNot announced | Not announced | Additional regions are being explored |
| Local programmingMonitoring | Varies | Channels may differ by local TV market and change over time |
What you can watch at launch
The catalog combines live channels and a changing on-demand selection rather than one fixed lineup.
| Item | Examples named by PlayStation | Availability note |
|---|---|---|
| MoviesConfirmed | Action, horror, sci-fi, MovieSphere, FilmRise, Sony One | Free with ads |
| TV showsConfirmed | Community, The Shield, Hell’s Kitchen, The Walking Dead | Lineup may rotate |
| AnimeConfirmed | Naruto, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, Crunchyroll channels | Titles may change |
| SportsConfirmed | FOX Sports, NASCAR, NBC Sports Now, UFC and more | Local rights may vary |
| News and weatherConfirmed | NBC News Now, Fox Weather, LiveNOW from FOX | Market availability varies |
| Creators and esportsConfirmed | Hot Ones, The Ringer, Futcrunch, Idle Mode, eCLUTCH | Catalog can refresh |
If the Live TV icon is missing
These checks stay within the evidence available at launch and do not promise a bypass for unsupported regions.
- 01
Confirm the console is a PS5
ConfirmedThe launch announcement names PS5 and does not confirm a PS4 version.
- 02
Confirm US availability applies to you
ConfirmedThe service launched for PS5 players in the United States; changing a menu language does not establish regional eligibility.
- 03
Check the Media tab, not the Games tab
Action availablePlayStation places the icon in Media on the home screen.
- 04
Reconnect the account flow
Action availableIf the icon opens but playback does not start, retry the on-screen PlayStation-account connection before changing unrelated network settings.
- 05
Recheck the official launch post
MonitoringProgramming and regions can change; use PlayStation’s current support information before assuming a global outage.
Free means ad-supported, not subscription-free television without tradeoffs
PlayStation describes Live TV on PS5 as free and ad-supported. The checked launch post does not announce an ad-free tier, channel bundle purchase, or separate monthly subscription. It does require connecting a PlayStation account through the on-screen sign-in route.
Source: PlayStation Blog launch and access details (opens in a new tab)The lineup is intentionally changeable
More than 100 live channels is the launch count, not a permanent catalog guarantee. PlayStation says programming varies by local TV market, may change over time, and will be refreshed with new channels and content. A missing title does not by itself mean the service is down.
Source: PlayStation programming availability note (opens in a new tab)Capabilities PlayStation has not announced
The launch post does not confirm PS4 support, offline downloads, DVR recording, an ad-free upgrade, household profiles, or a fixed regional rollout timetable. Those fields remain unknown rather than assumed from other streaming services.
When this guide will change
The page will be rechecked when PlayStation adds Canada or another region, changes the sign-in path, publishes a dedicated support page, materially changes the channel count, or introduces a paid or ad-free option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Live TV on PS5 free?
Yes. PlayStation describes it as free and ad-supported.
How do I watch Live TV on PS5?
Open Media from the PS5 home screen, select the Live TV on PS5 icon, then sign in with your PlayStation account.
How many channels does Live TV on PS5 have?
PlayStation says more than 100 live channels at launch, plus a growing on-demand selection.
Is Live TV on PS5 available outside the US?
The launch is for US PS5 players. Canada and additional regions are being explored, but no dates are announced.
Why is the Live TV icon missing on my PS5?
First check that you are looking in Media and that the current US launch applies to your account/region. The official post does not provide a bypass for unsupported markets.
Can I record or download Live TV shows on PS5?
Recording and offline downloads are not described in the checked launch post.