Rakuten TV Launches Free Channels in the U.S.: Where to Watch Rakuten TV Comedy and Action

Rakuten TV, one of Europe's largest free streaming services, has launched its first channels in the United States. On October 12, 2026, the company announced at the MIPCOM television market in Cannes that two of its own movie channels, Rakuten TV Comedy and Rakuten TV Action, are now streaming free in the U.S. on the TCLtv+ app, with more platforms to come. Here's what the channels offer, how to find them and what you need at home to stream them smoothly.

What Rakuten TV is launching in the U.S.

Rakuten TV is based in Barcelona and owned by Japan's Rakuten group. In Europe it runs about 600 free ad-supported channels, known as FAST channels, and around 120 of them are its own. The U.S. launch is the company's first move outside Europe, and it's starting small with two movie channels rather than copying its full European lineup.

Rakuten TV CEO Cédric Dufour described the U.S. as the most crowded free-streaming market in the world, so the company says it studied existing channel catalogs and picked movies that don't overlap with what's already available on other free services. That means you're less likely to see the same handful of titles that repeat across many free movie channels.

How to watch Rakuten TV Comedy and Rakuten TV Action

For now, the channels are on TCLtv+, the free live-channel app built into TCL smart TVs. If you own a TCL TV, open TCLtv+ and look in the movie channels section of the guide. There's no sign-up or payment required.

If you don't have a TCL TV, you'll need to wait. Rakuten TV says further platform launches will follow but hasn't said which services or dates. Free channel lineups on services like The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi and Samsung TV Plus change often, so check their guides over the coming months. Our guide to The Roku Channel's streaming bundles explains how free and paid channels mix on Roku.

What free ad-supported channels are and why they're growing

FAST channels work like old-fashioned TV: shows and movies play on a schedule, and commercials pay for them. You can't pause and pick a title the way you can on Netflix, but you don't pay anything either. That makes them popular with cord cutters who want something on in the background without another monthly bill, especially as paid services keep raising prices. See our roundup of 2026 streaming price increases for what the paid apps now cost.

Internet speed for free streaming channels

Free channels stream in HD on most apps, so they need about the same bandwidth as any other streaming service. A steady 5 to 10 Mbps covers one HD stream, while a home with several TVs, phones and laptops in use at once should look for 100 Mbps or more. Consistency matters more than peak speed, since buffering usually comes from slowdowns during busy evening hours. Our guide to internet speed for streaming breaks it down by household size, and is 100 Mbps fast enough for a smart TV covers 4K.

Streaming free channels in rural areas

If you live outside the reach of fiber and cable, satellite internet can still handle free streaming channels. Here's how the three national satellite options compare as of October 2026:

• Starlink: low-orbit satellite service. Residential plans were $55, $85 and $130 a month as of October 2026, according to Starlink's plan pages, plus equipment. Our Starlink guide covers setup and speeds.
• Viasat: through RSINC, Viasat downloads are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps, while uploads can reach 3 to 5 Mbps, and its newest satellite is running faster than that floor during its first year. Plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months, plus a $15 monthly equipment lease, as of October 2026. See how much Viasat costs.
• Hughesnet: plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months with autopay, as of October 2026, with a 12- or 24-month term and equipment extra. Our guide to Hughesnet data limits explains how its Priority Data works.

Viasat's guaranteed floor means your HD stream has a steady baseline even at peak hours, while Starlink's low-orbit network has lower latency. Both easily cover one or two HD streams.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rakuten TV?

Rakuten TV is a Barcelona-based streaming service owned by Japan's Rakuten group. It's one of Europe's biggest free ad-supported streaming (FAST) platforms, and in October 2026 it started launching channels in the U.S. for the first time.

Which Rakuten TV channels are available in the U.S.?

Rakuten TV Comedy and Rakuten TV Action are the first two, announced October 12, 2026 at the MIPCOM TV market in Cannes. Both are movie channels that mix Hollywood films with European titles.

Where can I watch Rakuten TV Comedy and Action?

As of October 2026 the channels are on the TCLtv+ app, the free streaming app on TCL smart TVs. Rakuten TV says more platforms will follow, but it hasn't named them yet.

Do the Rakuten TV channels cost anything?

No. They're free, ad-supported channels, so you watch commercials instead of paying a subscription. You don't need a cable plan or a credit card.

What internet speed do I need for free streaming channels?

A steady connection of about 5 to 10 Mbps handles one HD stream. If several people stream at once, or you watch in 4K, plan on 100 Mbps or more for the whole household.

Can I stream free channels on satellite internet?

Yes. Viasat downloads through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps, while uploads can reach 3 to 5 Mbps, which is plenty for HD streaming. Call 1-877-697-2926 to compare satellite, fiber, cable and 5G plans at your address.