UK’s Freeview successor receives major boost with launch of four more channels and access to free streaming app
FREELY is set to gain access to four popular channels, in the first major addition to the platform’s content library since it launched.
But that’s not all.
The UK platform is also offering free access to the U app, formerly known as on-demand Dave broadcaster UKTV, which underwent a controversial rebrand earlier this year.
It means viewers no longer require an aerial to view U’s popular channels U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W and U&Yesterday.
The four new channels, as well as the U app, will be added to Freely in an upcoming update this month.
What is Freely?
Freely is the country's newest way to watch TV without an aerial, from the makers of Freeview and Freesat.
It is a platform that comes built into select smart TVs after launching in April this year.
Freely is operated by the main broadcasters, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 via an umbrella company known as Everyone TV.
This means it has full access to the content that comes out of the UK’s Big Four broadcasters – that’s around 70,000 hours worth of content, according to Freely.
The platform hosts big-hits like The Traitors, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Happy Valley, Doctor Who, Married at First Sight and Strictly Come Dancing.
Through Freely, viewers can watch live TV channels, as well as access streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and now U
“Freely enables audiences to seamlessly browse and stream a vast library of high-quality content from the UK’s biggest broadcasters, all in one place, but with the added advantage that it’s the same trusted, relevant and reliable programming they have always known,” Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, said in a statement.
“It gives viewers access to the best of British TV, with shows that reflect our nation, driving the national conversation and broadening the common investment that all audiences have in our society.”
The announcement comes ahead of a big switch towards internet-based television services, and away from satellite-based viewing.
Later this month, Freely users who have their TV plugged into an aerial to receive a wider range of channels will see their channels automatically switched to the internet-delivered versions of the channels.
The TV aerial will only be used to supplement your connection if your Wi-Fi or broadband goes down.
The move is expected to bring higher quality picture to Freely viewers across the UK.
UKTV broadcasts currently only support a picture resolution of 544×576.
However, the Freely stream is rumoured to bring full HD quality to services, according to a report from RXTVInfo.
The report notes, however, that picture quality is ultimately subject to your internet connection speeds.
What appliances interfere with your WiFi?
Avoid placing your router near these...
- Speakers
- TV
- Microwave
- Oven
- Christmas lights
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Cordless phone
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Water pipes
- Other people’s WiFi routers