Sky and Freeview have long been dominant players in the UK television market, reaching millions of households. However, a new competitor, Freely, emerged in 2024 and has quickly gained traction, attracting over one million households.
Since its inception, Freely has enhanced its features and expanded its content offerings, now providing access to more than 50 live channels without the need for traditional aerial or satellite dish installations.
The latest development from Freely is the introduction of Freely Spotlight Channels, offering additional entertainment options at no extra cost. These channels will be streamed exclusively through standard Wi-Fi connections.
According to Freely, the Spotlight Channels will be available on channel 31 and channels 90 to 99, accessible to CTV OS partners on Freely-enabled devices. V (formerly VIDAA), the company behind the VIDAA OS used in Hisense TVs, has been announced as the launch partner, bringing a curated selection of channels to the Freely TV Guide.
The Freely Spotlight Channels will be integrated alongside established UK broadcasters in the TV guide, providing selected channels with increased visibility and credibility within the regulated UK TV landscape.
While specific content details have not been disclosed, more information is expected closer to the launch date.
Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, emphasized the focus on delivering long-term value across the ecosystem as Freely expands. He highlighted the strategic partnership with CTV OS partners to create new opportunities while ensuring free, trusted TV content remains easily accessible to UK audiences.
For those unfamiliar with Freely, it is operated by the same team behind Freeview and Freesat, offering content delivery solely through broadband connections, eliminating the need for aerial or satellite installations.
To access Freely, households require a compatible TV or set-top box and a reliable Wi-Fi connection. The platform currently provides over 50 live channels, on-demand content, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and the option to pause live TV.
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