I found the ultimate comfort watch on Pluto TV — and it's totally, 100% free

The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross — (Image credit: PBS)

I don't know about you, but it seems like every TV show these days is tailor-made to spike our stress hormones. Whether it's the high-pressure dramas, tense true crime thrillers or, you know, the actual news, there are seemingly few television programs made with comfort and calm in mind. "The Joy of Painting" is, joyfully, one of them.

Hosted by painter Bob Ross, the PBS favorite ran for 33 tranquil seasons from January 11, 1983, to May 17, 1994, and taught soothed viewers tips and techniques for landscape oil painting and the artist's signature "happy little trees." And, blessedly, Pluto TV — one of the leading FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) services around — has an entire 24/7 streaming network devoted to Bob Ross and nonstop episodes of "The Joy of Painting."

And this writer, who has been tuning into the popular and pacifying channel for a daily dose of calm, doesn't feel any guilt about her Bob Ross binge-watching because, unlike subscription streaming platforms, the channel is completely free. (Speaking of, the platform has countless free channels to check out, whether you're into old-school sitcoms, nature documentaries or nonstop tennis.) Need more convincing? Here's why you should spend some cozy time with Bob Ross via Pluto TV.

Pluto TV's Bob Ross channel is a seemingly endless feel-good stream

As mellow as the yellow on his trusty paint palette, the Bob Ross Channel is a dedicated 24/7 network that streams episodes of "The Joy of Painting" completely free. There are a whopping 30 seasons and nearly 400 half-hour episodes of the instructional, educational program available on the streaming service, which means it's unlikely that you'll see the exact same patiently-painted vista twice.

"Bob Ross offers soothing words of encouragement to viewers and painting hobbyists in this enormously popular series which has captivated audiences worldwide since 1982," reads Pluto TV's official description of "The Bob Ross Channel," adding of "The Joy of Painting": "It is the most-watched, most-recognized television art program in history."

Why you should you stream Bob Ross on Pluto TV

When you think of the "cozy TV" genre, few programs are quite as comforting and calming as "The Joy of Painting" and Pluto TV's 24-hour "The Bob Ross Channel" lets you experience those hypnotically lulling, refreshingly positive qualities without pause, exactly the kind of thing yours truly wants to watch to unwind after a long day or quiet my mind before going to bed.

But equally appealing is the creative aspect of Ross's program, best exemplified by the artist's iconic wet-on-wet method, where you apply wet paint directly on top of previously laid wet layers without waiting for the canvas to dry. But even with his technical skill and prolific output, Ross was always quick to remind viewers that "there are no mistakes, only happy accidents" when it comes to creation, that artistic expression was all about process and not perfection, producing an atmosphere that was all joy, no judgment. How many TV shows can say that?!

Stream "The Bob Ross Channel" on Pluto TV now

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Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.