Sky and Freeview have long been dominant forces in the UK TV market, delivering content to countless households. However, a strong contender has emerged in the form of Freely, which launched in 2024 and has quickly gained popularity. With over one million households already on board, Freely is making waves.
Since its inception, Freely has continuously enhanced its features and expanded its TV guide to offer more than 50 live channels without the need for traditional aerials or satellite dishes.
In an exciting development, Freely has introduced its new Freely Spotlight Channels, providing additional entertainment options to viewers at no extra cost. These channels can be accessed solely through a standard Wi-Fi connection.
According to Freely, the Spotlight Channels will be accessible on channel 31 and channels 90 to 99, also becoming available to CTV OS partners on Freely-enabled devices. V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS utilized in Hisense TVs, is the launch partner for this initiative, offering a curated selection of channels from its lineup on the Freely TV Guide.
The Freely Spotlight Channels will join established UK broadcasters in the TV guide, offering selected channels increased visibility and credibility within the regulated UK TV landscape. While specific content details are yet to be disclosed, more information is expected closer to the launch date.
Speaking on Freely’s growth, Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, emphasized the platform’s commitment to providing long-term value to its ecosystem. By allowing CTV OS partners to engage in specific parts of the TV guide, Freely aims to create new opportunities while ensuring easy access to free, trusted TV content for UK audiences in the streaming era.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, it is operated by the same team behind Freeview and Freesat. The key distinction lies in its broadband delivery of all content, eliminating the need for traditional setups like aerials or satellite dishes. Users only require a compatible TV or set-top box and a stable Wi-Fi connection to access Freely’s offerings, which include over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.
