Observed Signal · Apr 26, 2026 · Content Expansion · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Pluto TV Adds 15 Free Live True Crime Channels
Pluto TV has expanded its free, ad-supported FAST lineup with 15 dedicated live true crime channels. The curated offering includes branded and franchise streams such as Pluto True Crime, Pluto More True Crime, The First 48 by A&E, Cops on Pluto, Dateline 24/7, Forensic Files, Court TV and Oxygen True Crime Archives. The channels run 24/7 and are available at no cost on Pluto TV’s platform. Pluto TV was founded in 2013 by Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan and Ilya Pozin, was acquired by Viacom (now Paramount Global) in 2019 for $340 million, and had grown to more than 80 million global users by 2026. The update increases AVOD/FAST programming inventory available to viewers and advertisers on Pluto TV.
Expands Pluto TV’s FAST/AVOD inventory and themed linear channels, creating incremental ad inventory and targeting opportunities for advertisers on a large free streaming platform; however it is an incremental content update rather than an industry-shifting development.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Pluto TV now offers 15 live, free true crime channels.
- Channel examples include Pluto True Crime, Pluto More True Crime, The First 48 by A&E, Cops on Pluto, Live PD Presents, Dateline 24/7, NBC News 48 Hours Mystery, Forensic Files, Court TV and Oxygen True Crime Archives.
- Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) platform offering 24/7 linear-style streaming.
- Pluto TV was founded in 2013 by Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan, and Ilya Pozin and was acquired in 2019 by Viacom (now Paramount Global) for $340 million.
- As of 2026 Pluto TV reported more than 80 million global users.
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Pluto TV Adds Five New Live Channels
Pluto TV expanded its free ad-supported streaming lineup in August 2026 by launching five new live linear channels — Pluto Royal Drama, El Rey Rebel, Ghosts, Pluto Quirky AF, and Pluto Action/Drama — aimed at drama, comedy, action and niche-themed programming. The additions reflect Pluto TV’s strategy of offering continuous, genre-focused linear streams alongside on-demand content to increase engagement without subscription fees. The article recounts Pluto TV’s origin in 2013 (public beta March 31, 2014), its January 2019 acquisition by Viacom for about $340 million (completed March 2019), and subsequent expansion under Viacom, Paramount Global, and now described as part of Paramount Skydance. The channel rollout is presented as part of seasonal refreshes intended to retain and attract viewers in the competitive free streaming (FAST/AVOD) landscape.
Pluto TV Adds Three New Channels in June 2026
Pluto TV expanded its free ad-supported streaming lineup on June 2, 2026, with three new linear channels: Pluto TV Pride, Pluto TV Franchise Favorites, and S.W.A.T. on Pluto TV. Pluto TV Pride showcases LGBTQ+ films, documentaries, series and themed programming blocks; Pluto TV Franchise Favorites aggregates movies and TV from major franchises into marathon and binge-friendly blocks; and S.W.A.T. on Pluto TV offers round‑the‑clock rotation of full seasons of the S.W.A.T. crime drama. The launches increase Pluto TV’s catalog, which now exceeds 250 live channels, and provide additional curated, genre-specific ad-supported inventory for viewers and advertisers.
Pluto TV Adds Three New Channels
Pluto TV expanded its free, ad-supported streaming lineup on May 2, 2026 by launching three new linear channels. The additions are Pluto TV Adventure (action-focused programming), Pluto TV Hometown Drama (small-town and family-centered dramas), and a dedicated Battlestar Galactica channel presented as "Battlestar Galatagala," offering the full series. The move increases content variety for Pluto TV’s FAST/AVOD audience and adds more linear inventory to a platform that already operated over 400 linear channels. The announcement was reported by Cord Cutters News (author Luke Bouma).
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