Even people who don’t own Samsung devices can now enjoy its ad-supported streaming service. According to Protocol, the tech giant launched TV Plus — something that used to be exclusively available on the the brand’s TVs and mobile devices — for the web in May.
It was likely a soft launch, as the publication called it, seeing as Samsung has yet to formally announce its web version and has yet to include it in any marketing material for the streaming service. While there was zero fanfare surrounding TV Plus’ web expansion, a company rep confirmed to Protocol that Samsung did indeed roll out a web version of the service in the second quarter.
Samsung launched TV Plus back in 2016, and it has since evolved into its current cable-like free ad-supported form. It’s accessible in 23 countries, and in the US, it gives viewers access to 140 channels that include ABC News Live and Vice. Samsung Electronics SVP Sang Kim told Protocol that the company streams “billions of minutes every month,” so it’s clearly pretty popular with users. Its reach has been limited to Samsung customers up until now, though, and it remains to be seen whether the web version’s availability can add a substantial number of new users to the service.