Freeview might be one of the most popular ways to watch TV, but it is being challenged by a new rival. Freely launched last year and offers a very different way to tune into shows, movies and sporting events with everything beamed to the big screen via an internet connection rather than an old-fashioned aerial.
Freely is actually owned by the same team as Freeview, but this platform is switching things up by offering live and on-demand content using broadband.
It’s a similar approach to Sky’s latest devices – such as Sky Glass – which also remove the need for a dish to be stuck to the wall.
When Freely was first announced, it had limited channels, a small number of compatible TVs and lacked some useful features.
That all now appears to be changing with the platform announcing a huge boost to its free telly service.
Firstly, there will soon be a whole swathe of new screens that will feature Freely. These include models from Philips and JVC along with Amazon Fire TVs, Bush, Hisense, METZ, Panasonic, Sharp, TCL, TiVo, Toshiba and VIDAA which already have Freely installed.
Next, there are some exciting changes coming to homes already using the platform with new features being added including a Backwards TV Guide. This does exactly what it says on the tin with users able to scroll back through the day’s content and watch things that have already aired on live TV.
According to Freely, almost half of all catch-up or on-demand TV viewing takes place on the same day as the live broadcast. That’s why this feature has been introduced, to make it easier for viewers to watch shows that have recently been on TV.
Next up is a function called Never Miss. This will highlight what’s coming up, on now, and what’s just missed, alongside the biggest and best shows available on demand. These will be displayed right on the home page. In its first phase, this new feature will continue to evolve, introducing new ways to bring live content to the fore across the Freely interface.
Finally, there is the introduction of My List. For the first time on Freely, users can now save up to 50 favourite shows from the UK’s biggest free-to-air broadcasters – all in one place. That should mean no more endless searching, just instant access to the best TV from UK’s leading free-to-air channels, right on the homepage.
“We know viewers love watching live TV and catching up with their favourite programmes soon after broadcast, so we’ve made it even easier,” said Sarah Milton, Co-Chief Product Officer at Freely.
“Our new features—Backwards TV Guide, Never Miss, and My List—make finding, saving, and jumping back into great content effortless, whether live or on demand. Freely keeps evolving, offering premium features for free that other streaming platforms don’t have. And now with Freely becoming available on a wider range of new smart TVs, even more households will be able to enjoy this enhanced free streaming experience.”
