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Today, in this article we will explain how to Use Google TV’s Live Tab. Google TV devices like the Chromecast and a few smart TVs got hundreds of ad-supported channels last month. The company is adding its live TV tab to Google TV devices so that more people in the Google ecosystem can watch these channels. The channels will be in the Live tab between Home and Discover. They will include shows from NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, as well as shows from India and Japan and other countries.
These channels will be free on Google TV, just like they are on Google TV. With the Live tab on Google TV devices, you can see a grid guide for live channels from both free streaming services and some pay TV services. It’s perfect for when you want to get to one of your favorite channels quickly or when you don’t know what to watch. Here are the steps how to Use Google TV’s Live Tab.
What is Google TV’s Live Tab?
The Live tab is a new part of the home menu on Google TV. As the name might suggest, the main thing it sells is live TV channels. From the Live tab, you can quickly and easily access live channels from Google’s own curated list as well as an integrated list of channels from the major free live streaming apps like Pluto TV, Tubi, Plex, and Haystack. There are also extra channels from Google TV on the list, which can all be watched right from the Live tab.
With the Live tab’s own channels and all of the channels from its supported services, you can watch more than 800 live-streaming TV channels in ten different languages, all of which are free and can be watched whenever you want. All of your favorite basic cable channels are here, like CNBC, ABC, and Fox, which are all big news networks. Premium channels from services like YouTube TV are the only thing that aren’t already built into the list. However, you can still access these services from your regular app bar.
Why use the Live Tab on Google TV?
- Real-time content: The Live Tab gives users access to live TV content, so they can watch programs, events, and shows as they happen, just like with traditional TV.
- Easier Channel Surfing: With the Live Tab, Google TV users can quickly switch between the different live channels they have. This makes it easy to find new content and switch between channels without having to use different apps or menus.
- Consolidated Viewing Experience: Google TV combines different streaming services and live TV channels into a single platform. This makes it easier for people to watch live content because they don’t have to switch between different apps.
- Personalization and Recommendations: The Live Tab on Google TV uses a user’s viewing habits to make personalized recommendations. It suggests live channels and shows that the user might like based on their interests. This makes it easier for them to find content they might like.
- Favorite Channels: As we’ve already said, the Live Tab lets users mark certain channels as favorites. So, they can easily find their favorite channels without having to look through the whole list.
How to Use Google TV’s Live Tab
To use the Live tab, you don’t need to do anything in particular. To see the channel guide, just scroll up to the tabs at the top of your Google TV’s main menu and click on the Live tab. You can scroll through the full list of channels and press the confirm button on your remote for any of them to instantly tune in.
The only thing you need to remember is that if you want to watch something from a different free streaming app, like Pluto TV, you will need to install that app on your Google TV. But once you install the app, its channel list will be added automatically to your Live tab guide. The catalog as a whole is pretty big, so if you want to keep track of something, just add the channel to your list of favorites.

- Go to the Live tab on the menu of your Google TV.
- Use the guide list to find the channel you want to watch.
- To make a channel a favorite, click on the name of the channel next to its schedule.
- A star will show up next to the channel you choose as your favorite.
- The “Favorites” button on the left sidebar lets you get to your favorite channels at any time. If you want to get rid of a favorite, just click on its name again in the guide.
Questions and Answers
Google’s Chromecast stick is a small but powerful device that can stream high-quality video and live TV that can compete with any cable provider. Philo, Fubo, Sling, Hulu with Live TV, Paramount+, and Pluto TV are all live TV services that can be used with Chromecast.
There are more than 800 free live TV channels that stream everything from news to movies and a lot more. These channels are now rolling out to all Google TV devices in the United States. Some of these channels come with the device, while others are run by apps from other companies.
Even though the service is free and there are no monthly fees, you need a Google TV or Chromecast with Google TV, which costs about $30 at Walmart. From there, just turn on Google TV and look at the “Live” tab to see the new channels.
Because Android TV has a built-in Google assistant, it has a lot of great features. For example, people who use Android TV can easily change channels and look for shows by just using their voices. Smart TV users, on the other hand, have to use a full-size keyboard to enter content.