Freely is a UK free-to-view internet television platform launched on 30 April 2024 by Everyone TV, the organisation backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. It delivers live channels and on-demand discovery through compatible televisions and streaming devices over broadband. It is not a replacement for BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Freeview in every sense: Freely unifies access, but broadcaster players, accounts, hardware compatibility and a TV Licence still matter.
What exactly is Freely?
Freely uses internet protocol television (IPTV) to provide live UK television, programme discovery and links to broadcaster on-demand services. Everyone TV, which also operates Freeview and Freesat, runs the platform. See Everyone TV’s description of Freely and the UK government’s future-TV distribution paper.
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There is no monthly Freely subscription. You do, however, need compatible hardware, broadband and (for live television or BBC iPlayer) a TV Licence.
When did Freely launch?
Freely was announced as a planned broadcaster-backed service and publicly launched on 30 April 2024, initially in selected smart televisions. Plug-in streamers were announced in 2025 and formed part of the wider 2026 hardware expansion. The launch announcement is documented by ITV; the original industry announcement is at ITV’s press centre.
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How do you watch Freely?
Freely-enabled television
Some televisions include Freely in their software, normally with a dedicated button or menu entry. Compatibility is model-specific, so check the official buying guide before ordering. A brand name or operating system alone does not prove support.
Plug-in streaming device
A supported streamer can add Freely to an existing television. You need an HDMI port, mains power and a broadband connection, using Wi-Fi or Ethernet where supported. Officially named devices include the Netgem PLEIO and Manhattan AERO. Freely describes the AERO as a 4K device with more than 70 live channels; that figure applies to the product description, not every Freely installation. See the device announcement.
Do not assume Freely can be installed on any Android TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV or LG TV. Freely’s current guidance says it is not built into Samsung or LG televisions and points owners towards a supported streamer: Samsung and LG compatibility guidance.
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Does Freely include BBC iPlayer?
BBC live channels and BBC on-demand programmes are surfaced through Freely’s interface, but Freely does not replace BBC iPlayer. Selecting on-demand BBC content may open the iPlayer app, where a BBC account can be required. A TV Licence is required to use BBC iPlayer, including on-demand viewing. Freely explains the player and sign-in relationship in its setup FAQ and channel-login FAQ.
Does Freely include ITVX?
ITV’s live channels and on-demand programmes can be discovered through Freely. On-demand playback may hand you to ITVX, with an ITVX account or login needed for relevant content and features. Freely is therefore an access and discovery layer, not a promise that every ITVX title is hosted in one Freely catalogue; rights and regional availability change.
What about Channel 4 and Channel 5?
Channel 4 and Channel 5 are part of the broadcaster collaboration behind Freely. Their programmes can be surfaced in the Freely experience, while playback and authentication may occur in the respective broadcaster players. The launch announcement confirms the four-broadcaster partnership: ITV’s launch release.
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Freely versus Freeview
| Feature | Freely | Freeview / Freeview Play |
|---|---|---|
| Main delivery | Broadband/IPTV | Terrestrial aerial for live reception; internet adds Freeview Play services |
| Aerial | Not needed for internet-delivered Freely | Needed for normal live Freeview reception |
| Satellite dish | Not needed | Not needed |
| Live television | Yes, subject to device, region and channel availability | Yes, subject to aerial coverage |
| On-demand | Integrated discovery plus broadcaster players | Freeview Play features and separate players |
| Hardware | Freely-enabled TV or supported streamer | Freeview-compatible TV, recorder or set-top box |
| Main risk | Broadband, Wi-Fi or service outage | Aerial condition, reception and transmitter coverage |
| Best suited to | Homes without usable aerial access or those preferring internet delivery | Homes with reliable aerial reception and existing equipment |
Freely has not replaced Freeview. Everyone TV operates both, and government material describes Freeview as continuing while IP delivery develops. The platform’s own comparison is at Freely versus Freeview; Freeview’s terrestrial service is explained at Freeview’s help page.
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No aerial or dish is required for Freely’s broadband service. That makes it useful for rooms without an aerial socket, poor terrestrial reception, rented homes where a dish cannot be installed and second televisions. A compatible Freely television may still use an aerial as an optional additional reception method. Broadband reliability remains essential: removing the aerial does not remove the network dependency. See Freely’s aerial and internet guidance.
Broadband and equipment requirements
- Freely recommends at least 10 Mbps broadband for live and on-demand viewing. This is a recommendation, not a guarantee of stable playback in every home.
- For 4K/UHD, Freely recommends at least 40 Mbps: 4K guidance.
- Wi-Fi signal quality, congestion, other household use and the connection between router and television can affect results. Ethernet is preferable where available.
- A plug-in device requires HDMI and mains power. Confirm the exact television model and device support before buying.
How to set up Freely
- Buy a Freely-enabled television or officially supported streamer.
- Connect the television or streamer to mains power and the television by HDMI where applicable.
- Join your broadband network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Follow the on-screen setup, select your location and enter your postcode when requested.
- If the television is also connected to an aerial, run its channel scan.
- Open the relevant broadcaster player for on-demand programmes.
- Sign in to BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5 or another player when prompted.
After setup, you should be able to browse a Freely guide, watch supported live channels over broadband and launch broadcaster players. The detailed setup steps are in Freely’s setup FAQ.
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What does Freely cost?
Freely itself has no monthly platform charge, but it is not cost-free. You must buy compatible hardware unless you already own it, pay for broadband and comply with TV-licensing rules. Other apps on the device can have their own subscriptions or rental charges. Freely’s equipment information is at this FAQ; current hardware prices vary by model and retailer.
TV Licence rules
You need a TV Licence to watch or record live television on any channel or service and to use BBC iPlayer, including on-demand content. Watching only qualifying on-demand programmes on services such as ITVX or Channel 4, without watching live TV or BBC iPlayer, may not require a licence. Check the current rules and exemptions in Freely’s licence FAQ and its licence explainer before relying on an exemption.
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Choose Freely when
- Your broadband is reliable but aerial reception is poor or unavailable.
- You need live UK television in a room without an aerial socket.
- You are buying a television and can verify an officially compatible model.
- You want a unified guide while accepting that broadcaster apps and logins still exist.
- You want to keep an HDMI television by adding a supported streamer.
Freeview may be better when
- Your broadband is unreliable, metered or unavailable.
- You already have good aerial reception and working Freeview equipment.
- Live television must continue during an internet outage.
- You do not want to replace the television or add another device.
- A required channel is available terrestrially but not on your particular Freely device or regional setup.
Current channels and regional variation
Use the official Freely channel directory rather than relying on a permanent list. Availability can vary by device, postcode, regional service and software update. Some entries are live channels; others are player or on-demand destinations. A channel appearing in the guide does not mean its entire on-demand catalogue is inside Freely.
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- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
If Freely stops working
- Confirm that the router is online and test another device on the same Wi-Fi.
- Run a speed test; Freely recommends at least 10 Mbps.
- Improve Wi-Fi placement or switch to Ethernet if available.
- Restart the router and television or streamer.
- Install pending device software updates.
- If only one player fails, check its username and password and reset the password through that broadcaster.
- Check Freely service alerts.
- Contact the television or streamer manufacturer for hardware-specific faults.
Player-specific guidance is available for login problems and player failures.
Is Freely available outside the UK?
Freely is a UK service built around UK broadcasters, distribution arrangements and licensing rules. Treat availability and channel line-ups as UK-specific unless an official device or service page says otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Freely is best understood as a broadband-based free-TV platform: a practical alternative to aerial reception for compatible hardware, with a unified guide to live channels and broadcaster players. It does not universally replace Freeview, BBC iPlayer or ITVX, and its suitability depends on your device, broadband, region and TV Licence status.
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