VIZIO’s WatchFree+ Viewership Doubled in Past Year; Platform Announces Expanded Content Options from WBD, Sony, More
The free streaming platform is also making it easier for viewers to find the perfect content no matter what they are in the mood to watch.
While the shift from premium streaming to an entirely ad-supported model has not completely done away with ad-free viewing options, the change certainly seems to moving forward unabated. As services continue to see additional revenue from ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) and free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels, the more they are investing in those platforms’ content and reach. On Tuesday, VIZIO announced substantial upgrades to its’ VIZIO WatchFree+ streaming hub including an increased number of channel options and a set of new features designed to ease discoverability.
- VIZIO reports that WatchFree+ viewing hours have doubled since last year.
- The platform announced an expansion of streaming channels from studio partners Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, and more.
- WatchFree+ has added new categories to to its guide in order to improve content discovery.
WatchFree+ now boasts over 300 free streaming channels, thanks to expanded partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Sony, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. Discovery. In addition to these linear channels, the platform has over 15,000 on-demand. These growing viewing options have led to a massive increase in the amount of time that VIZIO Smart TV owners are spending on the WatchFree+ service. According to VIZIO’s internal numbers, viewing hours have more than doubled year-over-year. While the company declined to provide additional details as to what those numbers are, it is certainly a positive step for the service.
“WatchFree+ has solidified its position as the premium, free streaming destination for VIZIO households, thanks to our ever-expanding content offering, major studio & network partnerships, and enhanced user experience,” VIZIO group VP Katherine Pond said. “With these latest programming additions and product updates, WatchFree+ continues to deliver an entertainment experience that consumers love.”
WatchFree+ Adds New Channels from Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate; More
In something similar to a chicken-or-the-egg situation, as WatchFree+’s viewership grows, as does the quality of free programming the platform is able to offer its viewers at no cost. That is nowhere more evident than in the partnerships that VIZIO is expanding with some of the biggest studios in Hollywood.
WatchFree+ has launched 11 new channels from Warner Bros. Discovery, including one that is not here to make friends. On channel 917, you can relive all of the romance and the drama on a channel dedicated to “The Bachelor.” Then if the heartache is too much for you, you can flip over to channel 911 for something still dramatic and romantic, but with hopefully less heartbreak, an around-the-clock channel dedicated to “Say Yes To The Dress.” Then if you need something completely different, you can check out episodes of the action-thriller series “Nikita” on channel 737.
In addition to these 24/7 channels, episodes of these shows are also available on-demand, giving you a great way to lean back and just enjoy TV the old-fashioned way — just watch whatever’s on — or to embrace the streaming era and binge entire series in succession.
In addition to the WBD series-specific channels, WatchFree+ is also launching channels populated by films from Lionsgate’s library of movies. Channel 611 will focus on the studio’s blockbusters on MovieSphere. Then over on channel 611, you will find premium content by and about the Black community on Ebony TV, and you can dive into inspiring stories about women on HerSphere on channel 631.
Soon, WtchFree+ will also be launching Outersphere, focused on Lionsgate’s fantasy favorites, as well as single-focus channels for “Celebrity Name Game” and “Ghost Hunters.” In addition, the platform has launched channels from Electric Entertainment, including Leverage (ch. 710), which focuses on cult-classic and drama series.
VIZIO Adding More Curated Channels, Enhancing Content Categories
While VIZIO has invested in the number of channels from its premium content partners, it has also been beefing up its in-house curated offerings as well, and viewers are taking notice. According to the company, many of the dedicated channels — including Investigation and Fork & Flight — at or near the top of their respective genre categories in terms of daily unique users.
VIZIO’s curated channel count is set to rise to 10 with one new addition and another on its way. Recently, WatchFree+ added Comedy Club (found on channel 950), which focuses on stand-up comedy specials, documentaries, and other titles featuring comedy icons, including Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Lewis Black, and others. Later this month, Valor will launch on channel 604, focusing on military films, TV series, and documentaries.
In addition, the platform has also seen a number of enhancements designed to help viewers find the perfect content for whatever they are looking for, faster and more easily. VIZIO has added new categories to its programming guide including Documentaries, Entertainment, History, Mood + Ambiance, Nature + Science, and more.
VIZIO WatchFree+
WatchFree+ is VIZIO’s free streaming service, available on its SmartCast TVs. There are 260+ free channels and 6,000 titles on demand, providing immediate access to live and local programming and a wide library ranging from thousands of movies, news, sports, music, kids & family, multicultural, and more. Top channels include CNN, FOX Sports, Hallmark, ION Plus, LEGO Channel, MLB, NBC News Now, and Stories by AMC.