The television market in the UK is primarily dominated by Sky and Freeview, but a new competitor, Freely, has been gaining traction since its launch in 2024. Freely has quickly amassed over one million households as users, offering more than 50 live channels without the need for traditional aerial or satellite dish installations.
Recently, Freely introduced its new Freely Spotlight Channels, providing additional entertainment to viewers at no extra cost. These channels can be accessed through a standard Wi-Fi connection and will be featured on channel 31, as well as channels 90 to 99, with availability extended to CTV OS partners on Freely-enabled devices.
V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS smart TV platform used in Hisense televisions, has been announced as the launch partner for Freely Spotlight Channels. They will curate a selection of channels from their lineup to be included in the Freely TV Guide, enhancing visibility and credibility for selected channels within the UK’s regulated TV environment.
While specific content details for the Freely Spotlight Channels are yet to be disclosed, more information is expected closer to the launch date. Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, emphasized the platform’s commitment to delivering long-term value and creating new opportunities for partners while ensuring easy access to free, trusted TV content for UK audiences.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, it is operated by the same team behind Freeview and Freesat. Unlike traditional services, Freely delivers all content through a broadband connection, eliminating the need for external installations. Users only require a compatible TV or set-top box and a reliable Wi-Fi connection to access over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalised recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.