Freely TV Emerges as Strong Competitor to Sky and Freeview
The TV market in the UK is witnessing the rise of a formidable new player alongside the established giants, Sky and Freeview. Freely, introduced in 2024, has rapidly gained traction, attracting over one million households to switch to its services.
Since its inception, Freely has continuously enhanced its features and expanded its content offerings. With a lineup of over 50 live channels accessible without the need for traditional aerials or satellite dishes, Freely is reshaping the viewing experience for consumers.
In a recent development, Freely announced the introduction of its innovative Freely Spotlight Channels, enriching home entertainment at no extra cost. These channels will be streamed exclusively through standard Wi-Fi connections.
The Spotlight Channels will be positioned on channel 31 and channels 90 to 99, also available to CTV OS partners on Freely-enabled devices. V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS smart TV platform found in Hisense TVs, has been unveiled as the launch partner. V will curate a selection of its channels to be featured in the Freely TV Guide.
These new channels will complement existing UK broadcasters within the TV guide, providing increased visibility and credibility to selected channels within the regulated UK TV landscape.
While specific content details are yet to be disclosed, more information is anticipated closer to the launch date. Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, expressed enthusiasm about Freely’s growth and emphasized the platform’s commitment to delivering long-term value and fostering opportunities for partners in the evolving TV ecosystem.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, it is managed by the same team behind Freeview and Freesat. The key differentiator is that all content is delivered through broadband connections, eliminating the need for aerials, satellite dishes, or complex installations.
To access Freely, households only require a compatible TV or set-top box and a reliable Wi-Fi connection. The platform offers a diverse range of features, including over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.