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⚡Quick verdict
Freely is a free UK service, launched in April 2024 by Everyone TV (jointly owned by the four public service broadcasters), that streams live channels over broadband with no aerial. It is built into newer smart TVs from several makers. Like Freeview, it has no subscription, needs a TV licence, and carries no pay sport.
- It is IPTV for free-to-air channels.
- It comes built into the TV; you cannot add it to an older set.
- Fewer channels than Freeview, though the list keeps growing.
How Freely works
Instead of picking up channels from a transmitter, a Freely TV streams them from the broadcasters over your broadband. The guide looks and works like Freeview’s: channel 1 is BBC One, you can scroll back through the week, and catch-up opens in the right app.
What you need
- A smart TV with Freely built in. It cannot be added to older sets with an update in most cases.
- Broadband of about 10 Mbps for HD.
- A TV licence.
How it compares
| Freely | Freeview Play | Paid IPTV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Broadband | Aerial plus broadband | Broadband |
| Cost | Free | Free | Monthly or yearly |
| Main UK channels | Yes | Yes | Usually |
| Sky and TNT sport | No | No | Depends on the service |
| Works on a Fire Stick | No | No | Yes |
Who it suits
Homes that cannot get a good aerial signal, flats where the landlord will not fix the communal aerial, and anyone happy with the free channels who wants to lose the cable from the wall. For pay sport and big film channels, you still need something else; our comparison pages set out the choices.
From £5.42 a month
Borrow a full log-in for 24 hours before paying a penny. No card, no contract, no silent renewals.