The new service is on track to become the UK’s largest TV device platform by 2030.
Most UK households use either Freeview or Sky to watch TV, but some are switching to a relatively new rival which is rapidly gaining popularity. Freely launched in the summer of last year, offering live and on-demand television content and what’s more, there’s no need to drill an aerial into the chimney.
Freely is owned by the same team behind Freeview, meaning that everything is totally free to watch, without any pesky monthly subscription fees. The only thing homes need to tune into the new TV watching method is a compatible device.
When the service launched last year, TVs compatible with Freely were limited, but there are now plenty of models on the market with Panasonic, Toshiba, Bush and Hisense all joining the Freely revolution so far.
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For those interested in televisions that support Freely, Panasonic’s 4K OLED, QLED, and LED TVs come with Freely built-in.
The 4K OLED is available on Amazon for £789, or for those with a stricter budget, the Bush 43 Inch Freely TV is available for a much cheaper £179 on Argos.
The TV service claims that just a year after launch, it now reaches over half a million weekly users and is proving to be especially popular with those aged 16 to 34.
Freely is also boasting that it is forecast to become the UK’s largest TV device platform by 2030.
Another bonus of Freely is its new features and regular updates.
Those with a Freely TV can now pause live TV, get content recommendations and go back in time via the backwards telly guide, reports the Mirror.
Although Freeview and Sky still win when it comes to user numbers, it seems that Freely is gaining traction and could be a serious rival in the future.
Amy Rowcliffe, Marketing Director at Everyone TV, said: “As a mum of two young girls, I see every day how TV brings us together. Whether it’s watching Bake Off as a family or the girls singing along to The Masked Singer. Some shows just become part of your family life, and our research proves that’s true across the country.
“With Freely, we’re making sure those moments are easy for everyone to stream and enjoy. All the best British TV, in one place, and completely free. It’s brilliant to see younger audiences embracing it too, which shows free TV has a big role to play for the next generation.”
Of course, Sky now offers its Glass TV and Stream box which also use the web to beam shows, movies and more to screens.
Although there is a monthly fee to pay, Sky’s products also offer access to more premium content, including the latest films, F1 action and Premier League football.