Sky and Freeview still rule the roost when it comes to watching TV, but a new rival continues to pick up pace. Freely launched last year and offers a way to view live and on-demand content without the need for an aerial or dish. That’s because everything is streamed to the big screen via a broadband connection instead. It makes it an ideal solution for homes without access to a standard TV signal or for rooms in homes that don’t have an aerial socket.
When Freely arrived back in 2024, its channels, features and compatible TVs were pretty limited, but this platform appears to be going from strength to strength.
Manufacturers including Hisense, TCL, Panasonic and Sharp have all joined the Freely revolution, and now another brand is releasing these connected screens.
UK firm Mitchell & Brown has just confirmed the release of a number of Freely TVs, which start from basic 24-inch screens to pin-sharp 65-inch models.
All will offer access to over 40 channels via a simple Wi-Fi connection and get features such as being able to pause live content and see recommendations for things to watch. There’s even a new backwards TV guide which lets you find content to view that’s already aired.
“For many of us, installing a TV where there’s no aerial socket has always meant compromise: either rely solely on streaming apps, or go through the hassle and cost of aerial installation,” Dan Brown, Operations Director at Mitchell & Brown explained.
“With Freely built into every model in Mitchell & Brown’s new range, those limitations disappear. You can now enjoy traditional live TV channels in any room without the hassle or extra cables messing up your décor. Out new range is perfect for kitchens and guest bedrooms, garden dens and even Airbnbs’ or student digs.”
There’s no word on pricing just yet but these are worth watching out for if you want a simple way to watch the telly.
If you already have a big screen and don’t want to buy something new, don’t panic.
Freely has also just announced that it will be releasing a set-top box later this year, which will bring its platform to any screen.
Right now, only new TVs with Freely installed can stream content, but that will change once the accessory arrives in stores.
Speaking about the update, Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: “Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone. Expanding to ‘plug-in and stream’ devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription.”