Google TV is all-in on free TV, mandating a dedicated button on remotes

Google is doubling down on its “Freeplay” experience within Google TV, pushing for wider adoption of its free live TV channels. According to reports from Android Authority, Google has informed its hardware partners that, starting April 2025, all new Google TV devices will be required to ship with remotes featuring a dedicated “Free TV” or “Live TV” shortcut button.

This move clearly outlines Google’s commitment to streamlining access to its free live TV offerings that have apparently seen significant user engagement. Google, in a statement, highlighted the “overwhelmingly positive feedback” received from users regarding the free TV channels, implicitly confirming the new remote requirement.

Google TV gives users access to a wide range of free TV options, including local news, popular shows and movies. Since we launched free live TV options on Google TV, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, and this change will help provide a consistent experience with quick access at users’ fingertips.

Google representative

Currently, Walmart’s Onn Pro streaming box and the upcoming Onn 4K Plus are notable examples of devices that already incorporate a dedicated “Free TV” button. However, other recent releases like the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) lack this feature, having been released just ahead of the enforcement deadline. Most notably, the Google TV Streamer also does not include this shortcut.

While Google’s reference remote designs already feature a “Live TV” shortcut, ensuring compliance for many devices, this new mandate will significantly impact manufacturers who opt for custom remote designs. This standardization aims to create a more consistent user experience across the Google TV ecosystem, making free live TV readily accessible for users.