In the realm of television entertainment, Freeview and Sky stand out as leading platforms in the UK, catering to millions of viewers. Freeview provides free content viewing, while Sky offers premium channels and exclusive sports content not found on regular TV services.
A relatively new player in the market, Freely, has emerged as a compelling alternative. Launched last year, Freely utilizes broadband connections instead of traditional aerials or satellite dishes to deliver content to TV screens. This concept is akin to Sky’s Glass TVs, which also rely on internet connectivity.
Unlike the need for set-top boxes or dongles, Freely is integrated into many modern televisions, offering a seamless viewing experience. Recently, Channel 4 announced the launch of three new streaming channels exclusively on Freely, named 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life, marking Channel 4’s debut in the UK streaming space.
Viewers can access these new channels on Freely-powered screens, with 4Reality on channel 67, 4Homes on channel 68, and 4Life on channel 82. As streaming services gain popularity over traditional TV viewing, Freely, owned by Everyone TV, could potentially challenge Freeview’s dominance in the future.
Grace Boswood, Director of Technology & Distribution at Channel 4, expressed pride in enhancing Freely’s offerings, positioning Channel 4 as a pioneer in the streaming landscape. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, highlighted the collaboration with Channel 4 to bring high-quality streamed content to audiences through exclusive channels, offering diverse entertainment options.
The new channels on Freely provide a variety of content, including reality TV favorites on 4Reality, home and property features on 4Homes, and lifestyle programming on 4Life. This expansion reflects Channel 4’s commitment to digital innovation and audience engagement in the evolving streaming era.