Plex has confirmed that it will require a Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass for remote streaming on its TV apps. The change is going into effect for the Roku app first, followed by all other TV apps and third-party clients in 2026.

Earlier this year, Plex increased its pricing for Plex Pass and stopped supporting all options for free remote streaming in the Plex apps, such as adding a custom server connection in the app settings. The company said at the time, "The reality is that we need more resources to continue putting forth the best personal media experience, and as a result, we will no longer offer remote playback as a free feature." That's also when Plex introduced the Remote Watch Pass as a less expensive way to enable remote streaming again.

Plex is now rolling out the remote watch changes to its Roku TV app. If you have Plex Pass, or the owner of the server you're streaming from has Plex Pass, you don't need to do anything. Otherwise, if you are streaming on a different network from the server's home network, you need Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass.

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[+] jazzkoalapaws@ttrpg.network -13 points 11 hours ago (8 children)

I always thought less of people whenever they mentioned plex.

[–] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 10 points 11 hours ago (7 children)

Why? Plex was one of the original self hosted streaming platforms and for a long time was pretty much the only option. We have more options now, and those still on Plex, I imagine, are because they don't have the time or capacity to perform a migration. So they stick with what they've got until it breaks.

Maybe this will be the one that breaks it.

I was a Plex holdout until 3 months ago. I wanted off Plex for the last 2 years but just never had the time.

For those waiting, don't be like me, it's easier than you think.

[–] jazzkoalapaws@ttrpg.network -1 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

It makes more sense to just use free streaming sites or save videos to a storage drive.

Plex, like framework, seemed like corporate shite that wannabe nerds fell for to fit in with other wannabes.

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 hours ago

Obvious troll account.

[–] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 2 points 6 hours ago

I've not using a free streaming site for years, but when I did they were bags of shite. Buffering, unavailable, etc. There are apps that aggregate the various sites that try and find a wanted show on multiple sites, but they weren't much better.

I see self-hosted streaming as just an extension of your "save videos to a storage drive" option. We are just extending the access of that to where its wanted.

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