Freely Emerges as a Growing Competitor to Sky and Freeview in the UK TV Market
The TV landscape in the UK is witnessing a new player gaining ground alongside established giants like Sky and Freeview. Freely, introduced in 2024, has quickly garnered over one million households making the switch, marking a significant impact on the industry.
Since its inception, Freely has continuously enhanced its features and expanded its content offerings. The platform now boasts a lineup of over 50 live channels accessible without the need for traditional aerial or satellite dish installations.
In a recent development, Freely has unveiled its latest addition, the Freely Spotlight Channels, providing extra entertainment options to viewers at no extra cost. These channels will be streamed solely through standard Wi-Fi connections.
According to Freely, the Spotlight Channels will be available on channel 31, as well as channels 90 to 99, with accessibility extended to CTV OS partners on Freely-enabled devices. V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS smart TV platform utilized in Hisense televisions, has been announced as the launch partner. V will introduce a curated selection of its channels to the Freely TV Guide.
The Freely Spotlight Channels will complement existing UK broadcasters within the TV guide, offering selected channels increased visibility and credibility in the regulated UK television environment. While specific content details are yet to be disclosed, further information is anticipated closer to the launch date.
Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, expressed the platform’s commitment to delivering long-term value across the ecosystem. He highlighted the opportunity for CTV OS partners to engage with specific sections of the TV guide, creating new avenues for collaboration while ensuring accessible and trusted TV content for UK audiences in the streaming era.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, the platform is managed by the team behind Freeview and Freesat. Notably, all content is delivered through a broadband connection, eliminating the necessity for aerials, satellite dishes, or complex setups. Users only require a compatible TV or set-top box and a stable Wi-Fi connection to access Freely’s offerings.
Currently, Freely provides over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the capability to pause live television.