Freely TV: Revolutionising Free Television in the United Kingdom

Introduction: A New Era for Free British Television

Freely is a British free-to-air IPTV service launched in 2024 by Everyone TV, a joint venture between the country’s public broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5. This innovative platform represents a significant shift in how UK audiences access television, combining live broadcasts and on-demand content in a single, unified interface. Freely aims to tackle this shift head on and protect free TV for the future. As viewing habits increasingly move towards internet streaming, Freely ensures that high-quality British content remains accessible to everyone without subscription fees.

How Freely TV Works

The service offers the ability to watch live television and on demand media from the main broadcasters while seamlessly switching between them in a unified electronic programme guide (EPG). Unlike traditional television services, Freely streams television over a broadband internet connection and therefore does not require a television aerial, though an aerial can be added for additional channels. All the Freely linear channels are directly streamed via broadband internet, thus not needing an aerial or dish but only requiring a wired Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi connection to a modem, or alternatively cellular mobile data, with at least a download speed of 10 mbps.

Rapid Growth and Market Position

Everyone TV, the organisation behind free streaming platform Freely, has claimed the service is now the fastest growing TV platform in the UK after it surpassed one million weekly users recently. Currently, the platform offers over 70 live channels, including several FAST channels. The service has expanded rapidly since its launch, with Freely has launched integrated on new TV sets from Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Sharp, Panasonic, Metz and TCL. Additionally, in a deal with Amazon announced in October 2024, Freely is also to be integrated in new smart TVs based on Fire OS as the main TV guide.

New Features and Future Expansion

Freely continues to evolve with innovative features designed to enhance the viewing experience. The resulting first Freely box called Netgem Pleio launched in November 2025 and does not feature an aerial port. In the same month, the first Freely personal video recorder (PVR) box made by Humax was made official. These developments address earlier limitations where the service was only available on new televisions. Later in 2025, Freely will add 16 new streamed channels to its line-up, including The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night from ITV, and three exclusive Channel 4 channels: 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life (working title).

Conclusion: The Future of British Free Television

With accelerating growth and further expansion planned for 2026, Freely has been independently forecast to be the largest TV device platform in the UK within the next five years. For UK viewers, this means continued access to premium British content without subscription costs, all whilst enjoying the convenience of modern streaming technology. The service is expected to gradually replace Freeview in the long-term. As more households transition to internet-based television, Freely represents a crucial development in ensuring that quality free-to-air broadcasting remains accessible to all British audiences, preserving the tradition of public service broadcasting for the digital age.