Sky and Freeview have long been dominant players in the UK TV market, reaching millions of households. However, a new contender, Freely, emerged in 2024 and has quickly gained popularity, attracting over one million households. Freely has expanded its features and content offerings, providing over 50 live channels without the need for traditional aerial or dish installations.
In a recent development, Freely introduced its Freely Spotlight Channels, offering additional entertainment to viewers at no extra cost. These channels can be accessed through a standard Wi-Fi connection and will be available on designated channel positions, including channel 31 and channels 90 to 99. V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS smart TV platform used in Hisense TVs, is the launch partner, bringing a curated selection of channels to the Freely TV Guide.
The Freely Spotlight Channels will complement established UK broadcasters in the TV guide, enhancing the visibility and credibility of selected channels within the regulated TV landscape. While specific content details have not been disclosed yet, more information is expected closer to the launch.
Chief Commercial Officer, Deep Halder, emphasized the platform’s commitment to providing long-term value and enhancing the TV ecosystem. By allowing CTV OS partners to participate in specific sections of the TV guide, Freely aims to create new opportunities while ensuring free, trusted TV content remains easily accessible to UK audiences in the streaming era.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, it is managed by the creators of Freeview and Freesat but delivers all content through a broadband connection, eliminating the need for traditional antennas or satellite dishes. Viewers can access Freely with a compatible TV or set-top box and a stable Wi-Fi connection. The platform offers a variety of features, including over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.