New Tabs on the Home Screen
Google TV is rolling out a small but noticeable change to its home screen. Two new tabs—Free and Shop—appear between the existing “Live” and “Apps” sections.
The “Free” tab showcases ad‑supported streaming services that are available at no cost, such as Tubi. The “Shop” tab aggregates movies and shows that can be purchased or rented, displaying the price alongside a Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Availability and Rollout
The change was first spotted by a user on the Google TV subreddit who reported that the newest Google TV Streamer displayed the tabs, while older devices did not. The rollout appears to be gradual, with some users seeing the update earlier than others.
Other Recent Google TV Tweaks
Alongside the new navigation tabs, Google TV delivered a separate update earlier this week that added a “Report history” section and fixed a YouTube thumbnail aspect‑ratio bug on the home screen.
What This Means for Users
- Quicker access to free, ad‑supported content without digging through apps.
- Easier discovery of paid movies and shows, with price and rating visible at a glance.
- Improved overall user experience through incremental quality‑of‑life improvements.