Observed Signal · Jun 4, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Adweek · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Samsung TV Plus Premieres Dhar Mann Original Series
Samsung TV Plus commissioned its first original scripted series in partnership with YouTube creator Dhar Mann and Dhar Mann Studios. The four-part romance series, titled Unlikely Romances, premiered exclusively on Samsung TV Plus and is the platform’s first creator-led original content deal. The move marks a strategic shift for the ad-supported streaming (FAST) service, which — like peers such as Roku, Tubi and Pluto — has historically relied on catalog and licensed content. The article was published by Adweek on 2026-06-04 and written by Mark Stenberg.
Significant content-strategy shift for a major FAST platform: Samsung TV Plus commissioning creator-led original programming could influence how FAST services source content, affect competitive dynamics for ad inventory and creator partnerships.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Samsung TV Plus commissioned its first original scripted series.
- The series, Unlikely Romances, is a four-part romance created by Dhar Mann.
- The series premiered exclusively on Samsung TV Plus as the platform's first creator-led original content deal.
- Samsung TV Plus is an ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform shifting from primarily catalog/licensed content toward original programming.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
State of Streaming Adds Samsung TV Plus Profile
Samsung TV Plus is Samsung Electronics' free, ad-supported streaming service pre-installed on Samsung Smart TVs and Galaxy devices. Launched in 2015 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, the service offers 250+ live channels across FAST/AVOD-style programming. The State of Streaming site lists Samsung TV Plus as a major streaming app and references coverage reporting the service reached 100 million users (coverage dated 2026-01-28). Samsung TV Plus sits inside Samsung's media family alongside Samsung Ads Data & Measurement and is positioned as an OEM-distributed CTV/streaming inventory source for advertisers and partners.
Samsung Pushes Free TV via Samsung TV Plus at CES
At CES 2026 Samsung and partners including NBCUniversal and Smosh outlined a strategy emphasizing free ad-supported TV (FAST) on Samsung TV Plus to address subscription fatigue. Samsung positioned TV Plus as a complement to subscription services that lets studios monetize back catalogs on FAST without cannibalizing premium offerings. The panel highlighted creator-led channels (e.g., Smosh) moving from mobile to CTV, using FAST distribution to boost production and reach. Samsung also showcased new hardware, including a 130‑inch Micro RGB TV, while external analysis noted competitive pressure on the TV market from Chinese manufacturers. Executives quoted include Bruce Casino (EVP, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution), Alessandra Catanese (CEO, Smosh) and Salek Brodsky (Head, Samsung TV Plus).
Samsung TV Plus Tops 100M Monthly Users
Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming service, reported surpassing 100 million monthly active users globally. Samsung said the milestone coincides with a 25% year-over-year increase in streaming hours and a 92% three-month user retention rate. The service — pre-installed across Samsung smart TVs and Galaxy devices — offers over 4,300 channels in 30 countries and emphasizes interactive features and creator channels (e.g., Mark Rober, Dhar Mann) plus deals with sports leagues and partners such as Spotify and David Letterman. The article notes measurement comparisons are complicated because Samsung TV Plus is not included in Nielsen’s monthly “The Gauge” report. The growth strengthens Samsung’s position in the FAST/CTV market and expands ad-supported inventory during a period of rising FAST ad revenue projections.
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