Sony is leaning into the FAST trend—Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. If you’ve used Pluto TV or the Roku Channel, you know the drill. It’s not a DVR; it’s a series of "always-on" channels. You jump in, see what’s playing, and watch. There is no monthly fee, no sign-up required, and no way to fast-forward through the ads.

The content library is heavily weighted toward Sony’s own massive warehouse of IP. This is actually a win if your kid is into specific niches.

The ads are the biggest friction point. Unlike YouTube Kids, where the algorithm tries (and sometimes fails) to filter ads, these are traditional commercial breaks. You’re going to see movie trailers, toy commercials, and potentially political ads or insurance spots.

If you’re trying to move away from "the scroll" and toward intentional viewing, linear TV is a double-edged sword. It stops the "what do I watch next" paralysis, but it hands the "what am I being sold" control back to the advertisers.

The Live TV app respects the PS5’s system-level parental controls. If you’ve set the console to restrict R-rated movies or MA-rated shows, the app should filter those channels out of the guide entirely.

However, "Live TV" is inherently unpredictable. A channel might be rated TV-PG overall, but a specific episode of a 20-year-old sitcom might have some "of its time" humor you weren't expecting. The best move is to spend ten minutes scrolling the guide with your kid. Treat it like a digital flea market—help them spot the gems and ignore the junk.

If your kid finds a channel they love—say, a 24/7 LEGO channel or a specific nature documentary feed—use that as a springboard. Linear TV is a great "discovery engine." If they get hooked on a show they found by accident, look it up on a subscription-free service like Libby to see if you can get the full series without the ad breaks.

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Q: Is the PS5 Live TV app actually free? Yes. You don’t need a PlayStation Plus subscription or a credit card. You just download the app and start watching, though you’ll have to sit through unskippable commercials.

Q: Can I block specific channels on the PS5 Live TV app? Not individually. You can use the PS5’s system-level parental controls to restrict content by age rating (e.g., only allowing TV-Y or TV-G), which will hide channels that exceed that rating.

Q: Are the anime channels safe for younger kids? It depends on the channel. Some are dedicated to all-ages hits, while others feature "shonen" action that can be intense or have more mature themes. Check the rating in the corner of the screen when the show starts.

Q: Does this replace the need for Netflix or Disney+? Only if you aren't picky. You can't choose a specific episode or start a movie from the beginning unless you catch it right as it starts. It’s better for "background noise" than for a planned family movie night.

The PS5 Live TV app is a solid addition if you want more variety without adding another $15/month to your budget. It’s not a walled garden, so it requires a bit more "co-pilot" parenting in the beginning to make sure the channels your kid gravitates toward actually fit your family's vibe.