Best Methods to Get Pluto TV Unblocked on Any Network
The quirky comedy, Schitt’s Creek , recently concluded its sixth and final season on the Pop cable channel, but its journey is far from over. It has found a new home on Netflix, which gains access to new seasons several months after their initial air date, and it's also now available on Amazon’s IMDb TV, a free, ad-supported service that began streaming all but the current season in late March.
This trend of recent content being offered on free, ad-supported platforms is becoming increasingly common. While major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and HBO have built their reputations on premium, ad-free content by charging monthly subscription fees, a new breed of free, ad-supported streamers is emerging. These include Pluto TV, Roku Channel, Tubi, Vudu, and IMDb TV, which traditionally host older, catalog titles like My So-Called Life , ALF , and Duck Dynasty .
However, the lines between these two types of services are starting to blur. For example:
- IMDb TV has added Lost and Desperate Housewives and is in talks with Hollywood studios about producing original content.
- Comcast’s NBCUniversal acquired Xumo for live-streaming distribution and Vudu for its ad-supported and transactional businesses.
- Fox, having sold most of its assets to Disney, purchased Tubi to bolster its ad-supported streaming offerings.
- Quibi offers both ad-free and ad-supported tiers.
- HBO Max, launching ad-free, plans to introduce an ad-supported tier in 2021.
- Peacock, set to launch on April 15 for Comcast subscribers and July 15 for everyone else, will have a completely free base tier, along with premium ad-free and ad-supported options.
Interestingly, the majority of subscribers to existing hybrid services like Hulu and CBS All Access prefer the cheaper, ad-supported tiers. Approximately 75% of CBS All Access and 70% of Hulu subscribers opt for the ad-supported versions. Quibi CEO Meg Whitman anticipates that 75% of their sign-ups will also choose the cheaper, ad-supported option.
Brad Schlachter, a senior advisor at TDG Research, exemplifies this trend. He subscribes to ad-free services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV+, but opts for the ad-supported tier of Hulu. "It’s fewer commercials than you’d get on cable, and it’s significantly cheaper. I’m okay with the tradeoff, and I think a lot of people are," he says.
As more households add multiple streaming services, the value of a cheaper, ad-supported option becomes more appealing. The availability of popular shows like The Office , Parks and Recreation , Lost , Desperate Housewives , and Schitt’s Creek on free, ad-supported platforms puts pressure on other services to keep subscription costs down and consider introducing their own free tiers.
Social distancing efforts have led to a surge in streaming platform usage, with Tubi reporting a 22% increase in users and a 50% growth in new users during a two-week period in March.
Tubi's Chief Revenue Officer, Mark Rotblat, stated that these new viewers are initially drawn to content exclusive to the platform, which then leads to recommendations for other titles.
Fox's acquisition of Tubi for $440 million in mid-March provides the company with an immediate and growing source of advertising revenue and a promotional outlet for its various media properties.
A recent survey by Parks Associates found that free, ad-supported streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and IMDb TV have broad appeal beyond just households that exclusively use free services.
Nearly all users of ad-based services also subscribe to traditional pay-TV or streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
TV advertising remains a $70 billion business, despite the rise of streaming platforms and cord-cutting.
Analysts predict that national TV advertising will be down 13% for the year, but the long-term question is whether and when big advertisers will shift more of their spending to streaming platforms.
Disney's Hulu and NBCUniversal's Peacock are among the platforms hoping to convince big ad spenders to allocate more of their budgets to digital advertising.
If 6 million households continue to leave traditional TV providers each year, advertisers will need to follow the viewers to streaming platforms.
The growing prominence of ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) services, such as Tubi and Pluto TV, is largely driven by the dominance of smart TV operating systems like Roku OS, Amazon’s Fire TV, and Samsung’s Tizen. These systems now account for over 50% of U.S. smart TV sales, with millions more TVs using Roku and Amazon's streaming devices.
Samsung, recognizing its unique position as a global device manufacturer, launched Samsung TV Plus. With over 100 million active Tizen smart TVs worldwide, this platform offers unparalleled distribution and scale. The Samsung TV Plus app provides access to more than 100 livestreams, including popular channels like Cheddar, CBSN, and Tastemade, and is prominently featured in the main row of apps.
Roku has also entered the AVOD market with The Roku Channel, which not only includes livestreams but also a wide range of film and TV titles. Similarly, Amazon's IMDb TV focuses on film and TV content, integrated deeply into the Fire TV operating system, allowing it to appear in recommended rows alongside other services.
These tech giants maintain strict control over the apps available on their platforms, a fact that can have significant implications for content providers. For example, when Fox Sports' distribution deal with Roku was set to expire just days before the Super Bowl, a potential blackout loomed for many of Roku’s 32 million active U.S. users. A last-minute agreement was reached, though the terms were not disclosed. Typically, Roku receives about 30% of a channel partner's ad inventory in exchange for platform availability.
Why is Pluto TV Blocked?
Pluto TV being blocked may occur due to licensing limitations that tie content to particular regions. Additionally, if users try to use unauthorized methods like VPNs or proxies to access it from restricted areas, Pluto TV's detection mechanisms will block such attempts.
Why Choose SafeShell as Your Pluto TV VPN?
If you want to access Pluto TV’s region-restricted content from anywhere, SafeShell VPN is a reliable solution. Its advanced technology bypasses geo-blocks seamlessly, granting you unrestricted access to Pluto TV’s entire library. SafeShell prioritizes privacy with military-grade encryption, shielding your online activity from hackers and third parties. It also prevents detection by Pluto TV’s VPN-blocking systems, ensuring your connection remains stable and uninterrupted.
\n\nSafeShell elevates streaming with its optimized performance and user-centric features. The Pluto TV VPN offers blazing-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, eliminating buffering for smooth, high-quality viewing. Its intuitive apps work across devices, while 24/7 customer support resolves issues promptly. With SafeShell’s Exclusive App Mode, you can even stream content from multiple regions simultaneously, expanding your entertainment options effortlessly. Enjoy Pluto TV securely and conveniently, wherever you are.
How to Get Pluto TV Unblocked Using SafeShell VPN
To watch Pluto TV’s content seamlessly with SafeShell VPN , start by downloading the SafeShell VPN application from their official website. Ensure you select the version compatible with your device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Once installed, create an account or log in using your existing credentials to activate the service. SafeShell VPN offers user-friendly navigation, making setup quick even for beginners.
Next, launch SafeShell VPN and explore its interface to locate the server selection menu. For optimal streaming, pick a server in a region where Pluto TV’s content library aligns with your preferences, such as the U.S. or U.K. SafeShell VPN’s high-speed servers minimize buffering, ensuring smooth playback. Click “Connect” to establish a secure, encrypted connection that masks your real location.
After connecting, open the Pluto TV app or website and sign in to your account. With SafeShell VPN active, Pluto TV will recognize your virtual location, granting access to region-specific shows and movies. Test the connection by browsing titles unique to the selected region—if content matches, the VPN is working correctly.
Finally, customize SafeShell VPN settings for an enhanced experience. Enable features like “Auto-Connect” to streamline future sessions or switch between servers if you encounter geo-blocks. Regularly update the app to benefit from improved security and server expansions. With these steps, SafeShell VPN unlocks Pluto TV’s global catalog while keeping your data protected.