Sky Q has dominated the market for more than a decade, remaining a top choice for TV viewers in the UK. Its standout feature of recording extensive content has been a key factor in its enduring popularity. However, a potential new competitor is on the horizon, offering similar functionalities without the need for any subscription fees.
Enter Freely, a built-in feature in many new TVs, providing households with the ability to access live and on-demand content without requiring an aerial. This is made possible by streaming content directly to the screen via the internet.
While initially limited to purchasing a new television to access Freely, upcoming developments indicate a shift that could challenge Sky Q’s position in the market. The team behind Freely, also known for operating Freeview, has announced intentions to release a dedicated set-top box that can be connected to existing TVs. A recent online spotting by Cordbusters revealed the first glimpse of one of these Freely devices developed by Humax.
The Freely set-top box not only grants free access to television content but also enables users to record shows, similar to the capabilities of Sky Q. Additionally, the device is expected to support 4K resolution, delivering superior visual clarity that is four times sharper than standard HD.
Priced potentially below £250, the Freely box may seem costly at first, but once acquired, users can enjoy all Freely content without any additional charges. Although an exact launch date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, they are anticipated to hit retailers in the near future.
While the online listing that was briefly available has been removed, signaling a possible premature reveal, ongoing updates will be provided as new information emerges. Jonathan Thompson, the CEO of Everyone TV, emphasized the mission behind Freely, stating that it was designed to make free TV accessible to all, with the introduction of plug-and-stream devices representing a significant step forward in expanding access to the Freely experience.
Despite offering functionalities akin to Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q, Freely falls short in terms of the extensive content library provided by Sky. Notably, Freely lacks access to premium sports, movies, or boxsets available on channels like Sky Atlantic or Sky Max. Moreover, services such as Netflix cannot be accessed directly within the Freely platform.
To access premium content offerings, viewers would need to subscribe to one of Sky’s plans, which now start as low as £15 per month and often include access to Netflix as well.