The Future of Free TV in the UK
What Is Freely
Freely is the UK's free-to-air IPTV service backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, offering audiences both live and on-demand content in one place . Launched in April 2024, it represents a "substantial step change" in what viewers have been offered before, providing features historically associated with premium pay-TV services . A IPTV SUBSCRIPTION provider typically charges for premium content, but Freely remains completely free to use. The platform currently offers over 70 live channels, including several FAST channels, and delivers free television over broadband instead of through an aerial or satellite dish . 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 .
How Freely Works
Freely is an owned-operator app, meaning it has been integrated more deeply into the native user interface of smart TVs compared to other apps, allowing the product team to retain the flexibility to evolve and improve the live experience . An IPTV SUBSCRIPTION UK provider typically offers premium content, but Freely remains completely free to use. The service uses an aggregated metadata system that connects shows together, allowing viewers to watch an earlier episode or season with a single click . All of the UK's traditional broadcasters have been involved with Freely right from the start, ensuring that viewers can access all of their content (live and on-demand) in one place . The integration between live and on-demand content is driven by a metadata engine that connects the shows together .
Features That Make Freely Stand Out
Freely offers features and functionality that have historically been associated with premium pay-TV services, such as live pause on TV, the ability to restart programmes, and Watch Lists . This provides audiences with unprecedented control over their free viewing experience. The platform has been developed as a "broad church," appealing to different audience types and different needs . Research published by Everyone TV found that live free-to-air channels were rated highest for making people feel "relaxed" (32 per cent) and "entertained" (53 per cent) when compared with other channels and global streaming services . The data underscores the continued importance of Freely's "lean-back" TV experience .
The Lean-Back Viewing Experience
Freely caters to the "lean-back" viewing experience that audiences still appreciate and enjoy . Research published by Everyone TV found that live free-to-air channels were rated highest for making people feel "relaxed" and "entertained" when compared with other channels and global streaming and video services . The free-to-air ecosystem in the UK remains strong, and viewers really enjoy the content from PSBs and other partners like UKTV, AMC, and PBS . Whether you're a linear-first viewer or VoD-first, Freely has been created to be valuable regardless of how you prefer to access your TV . If you're a linear first viewer, there are easy ways to find linear TV channels using the number buttons on the remote control or the live TV rail .
Device Options for Freely
Initially launched as a smart TV app, Freely is now expanding to more devices. Netgem has launched PLEIO, a compact 4K streaming puck that brings Freely to almost any TV with an HDMI port, meaning you can stream BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5's free channels over the internet on an older TV . The hardware itself is a small circular puck that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects over Wi-Fi 6, supporting 4K UHD video with HDR10, Dolby Atmos passthrough, DTS HD, and 5.1 surround sound . Out of the box, you get access to Freely's 55 live and on-demand channels over broadband, plus more than 150 extra premium channels if you pay for Netgem's own subscription . On its own, the puck costs £99 and includes the device, voice remote, gamepad and a three-month trial of the PLEIO subscription . After that trial, keeping the gaming and premium channels costs £9.99 per month, while Freely itself stays completely free to use .
The Future of Free IPTV
The future of free IPTV in the UK looks bright with continuous innovation and improvements planned. With great momentum, Freely will be the biggest TV platform by the end of the decade, available across the majority of TVs on sale, and with plug-in and stream pucks and sticks, the experience is going to keep on improving for viewers . There will be a big focus on personalisation over the next 12 months, as well as more ways to search and discover content . As viewing habits shift towards streaming, Freely ensures that audiences can find everything they need in one place without monthly subscriptions . The Freely team is also actively working towards its first device, with a Freely puck set to launch "soon" . The service will continue improving for viewers with more ways to search and discover content.