Google TV’s Freeplay service, which offers free, ad-supported content, continues to disappoint, even as it removes more channels.
Recently, Freeplay quietly took away three more channels, mostly Christmas movie stations. But honestly, even if it pulled all its channels off the air, I wouldn’t be fazed. The service simply doesn’t meet expectations.
Before anyone writes in to defend Freeplay, I get it. Some people like it as background noise while they work or as an alternative to cable.
It’s a nice option for those who enjoy free content bundled with their new TV. But in my opinion, Freeplay is just an imitation of cable TV that takes the worst parts of it and offers little in return.
Google TV itself is great: fast, with good recommendations, and an organized layout. But Freeplay? Not so much. I’ve spent hours scrolling through uninteresting shows and movies I wouldn’t watch on my worst day. Occasionally, I find something I might enjoy, like a cooking show while prepping dinner. But those moments are rare.
The bigger issue is the poor quality of most of the content. It’s low resolution and often interrupted by long ad breaks, making the viewing experience less than enjoyable.
Why I Prefer Pluto TV Over Freeplay
In comparison, Freeplay’s competitor, Pluto TV, simply outshines it. Pluto TV offers a variety of content, including B-tier movies, some of which I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
Right now on Pluto TV, you could watch classics like The Naked Gun and Rocky, or newer hits like Licorice Pizza. On Freeplay? You’ll find C-list horror films like Megaboa, a strange B-movie Rockula, and a billiards tournament — not exactly the content you’d want to spend time on.
I understand Freeplay and its content partner Xumo can’t fix everything overnight, but why settle for it when you have better options like Pluto TV? It’s time to expand beyond Freeplay’s limited content and discover what else is out there. Trust me, the water’s better elsewhere.
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