Freeview and Sky stand out as top choices for TV viewers in the UK. Freeview offers free content, while Sky provides premium channels and exclusive sports coverage. However, a new player in the market, Freely, has emerged as a compelling alternative. Unlike traditional platforms, Freely uses broadband to deliver content to screens, similar to Sky’s Glass TVs.
Freely, introduced last year, is integrated into many new televisions, eliminating the need for additional devices like set-top boxes or dongles. A recent development is the launch of three new streaming channels exclusively on Freely by Channel 4. These channels include 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life, marking Channel 4’s first venture into streaming platforms in the UK.
Viewers can access 4Reality on channel 67, 4Homes on channel 68, and 4Life on channel 82. Freely’s increasing popularity suggests a potential shift from traditional TV to streaming services, potentially challenging Freeview’s dominance. Notably, Everyone TV, the company behind Freeview, owns Freely.
Grace Boswood, Channel 4’s Director of Technology & Distribution, expressed pride in enhancing Freely’s offerings. The collaboration with Channel 4 paves the way for more diverse streamed content. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, highlighted the addition of exclusive channels on Freely, offering unique and entertaining shows from Channel 4’s lineup.
The new channels on Freely provide a variety of content:
– 4Reality (channel 67): Features reality TV favorites like Married at First Sight and First Dates.
– 4Homes (channel 68): Showcases properties from around the world, including Grand Designs and A Place in the Sun.
– 4Life (channel 82): Focuses on real-life stories, travel, and food shows such as The Dog House and Travel Man.
With its expanding content library and exclusive offerings, Freely aims to cater to diverse viewer preferences and compete with established TV platforms.