A couple of dominant players in the TV industry in the UK are Freeview and Sky, boasting large user bases. Freeview offers free-to-watch content, while Sky provides premium channels and exclusive sports broadcasts. However, a new contender, Freely, has emerged recently, offering a unique alternative. Unlike traditional methods, Freely utilizes broadband connectivity instead of aerials or dishes to stream content to TVs, resembling Sky’s web-powered Glass TVs.
Freely is seamlessly integrated into many modern televisions, eliminating the need for external set-top boxes or dongles. Notably, Channel 4 has announced the launch of three new streaming channels exclusively on Freely – 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life, marking Channel 4’s debut streaming platforms in the UK. These channels can only be accessed by owners of Freely-enabled screens, with 4Reality on channel 67, 4Homes on channel 68, and 4Life on channel 82.
There is speculation that Freely could potentially overtake Freeview as more viewers transition from traditional TV to streaming services. It is noteworthy that Everyone TV, the company behind Freeview, owns Freely. Grace Boswood, Channel 4’s Technology & Distribution Director, expressed pride in enhancing Freely’s offerings, emphasizing Channel 4’s commitment to adapting to the streaming era.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, highlighted the partnership with Channel 4 in expanding high-quality streamed content on Freely. The platform already offers a wide range of shows without a costly subscription, now including exclusive channels hosting captivating content from Channel 4 on 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life.
The new channels on Freely offer diverse content. 4Reality features reality TV favorites like Married at First Sight and First Dates, 4Homes showcases property-related shows such as Grand Designs and A Place in the Sun, while 4Life explores real-life stories and experiences, including travel and food programs like The Dog House and Travel Man.