Channel 4 is launching three new streaming channels exclusively on Freely today – the first time the broadcaster has created channels that only exist on the new streaming platform.
The three new offerings – 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life – will go live today on the broadband-based TV service, giving Freely users access to curated programming that you can’t get on traditional Freeview or Freesat.
It’s another step in Channel 4’s shift away from linear broadcasting and towards becoming a streaming-focused service by 2030.
What Are These New Channels?
The new channels are essentially FAST channels – Free Ad-supported Streaming Television. Unlike on-demand services where you choose what to watch, FAST channels work just like traditional TV with scheduled programming running continuously.
You tune in to whatever’s currently showing, complete with advert breaks, but delivered through your internet connection rather than an aerial.
The three channels each focus on different aspects of Channel 4’s programming catalogue, essentially creating themed streams of content that would normally be scattered across various time slots.
4Reality (channel 67) is exactly what it sounds like – a dedicated home for Channel 4’s reality programming. Think Married at First Sight, Naked Attraction, First Dates, and Made in Chelsea all rolled into one continuous stream.
4Homes (channel 68) brings together all of Channel 4’s property and lifestyle content. Grand Designs, A Place in the Sun, Location Location Location – basically everything that makes you either inspired to renovate or depressed about house prices, depending on your mood.
4Life (channel 82) covers the broader lifestyle programming – travel shows like Travel Man, food content, and animal programmes including The Dog House.
A Long Time Coming
While these channels launched today, they’re not exactly a surprise. Channel 4 first announced plans for 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life back in April as part of a massive expansion that was set to bring 16 new streaming channels to Freely.
That April announcement promised these three Channel 4 channels would be “exclusive to Freely and won’t be available elsewhere at launch” – and they’ve kept their word.
The other channels announced at the same time included offerings from ITV (The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night) plus a whopping 11 new channels from Channel 5.
Channel 4’s Digital Push
These streaming channels are part of Channel 4’s “Fast Forward” plan – their attempt to transform into what they call “the world’s first public service streamer” by 2030.
The broadcaster has been steadily moving away from traditional television, shutting down linear channels like the Box music channels and focusing increasingly on digital platforms.
They’ve already found considerable success on YouTube, where their main channel and spin-offs like Channel 4.0 have racked up millions of views. Channel 4.0 alone has gained 2.5 million subscribers in less than three years, with 85% of viewers under 34.
Interestingly, Channel 4 already runs a “4Reality” channel on YouTube, so there may be some overlap in content between the streaming and social media versions – though the Freely channel will likely offer longer-form programming suited to the traditional TV viewing experience.
They’ve also launched other YouTube channels like “Channel 4 Served” for food content and “A Comedy Thing by Channel 4″ for original comedy programming, showing how they’re experimenting with different ways to slice up their content for digital audiences.
What Is Freely Again?
For those who haven’t been following the Freely story, it’s Everyone TV’s attempt to replace traditional Freeview with something that works entirely through your internet connection.
Launched in April 2024, Freely streams live channels and on-demand content directly to compatible smart TVs without needing an aerial or satellite dish.
You get all the major UK broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and 5 – plus dozens of other channels, all wrapped up in one interface.
The platform has been steadily expanding since launch. In January, it added eight new channels including TRUE CRIME, PBS America, and GB News. With today’s Channel 4 additions, Freely now offers over 50 live streaming channels.
The catch has always been availability – until recently, you could only access Freely by buying a brand new smart TV from manufacturers like Hisense, Bush, Panasonic, or Toshiba.
That’s about to change with the launch of standalone Freely boxes. French company Netgem is releasing the first dedicated Freely streaming device later this year, though notably it won’t include an aerial port at all – making it purely streaming-only.
The BBC is also exploring its own simplified Freely device, designed specifically for people who find modern streaming technology overwhelming.
This would offer a more traditional TV-like experience while still delivering content through broadband.
What This Means
Channel 4’s move to create streaming-exclusive channels is the first time the broadcaster has essentially said “if you want this content, you’ll need to stream it on Freely.”
Recent research suggests Freely could become the UK’s largest TV platform by 2030, serving 7 million homes as traditional broadcasting declines.
Already, over two-thirds of Freely users have abandoned their aerial connections entirely, choosing the platform’s more limited channel selection over the fuller lineup traditional Freeview provides.
Channel 4’s streaming-exclusive approach could accelerate this transition. If successful, it may encourage other broadcasters to create their own exclusive streaming content, potentially making platforms like Freely essential rather than optional.
For viewers, the new channels represent both opportunity and fragmentation.
More choice is generally good, but it also means that accessing all available UK content now requires multiple platforms rather than simply plugging in an aerial.
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Are these going to be on the Channel 4 App?
Many Freeview and Freesat boxes have access to the Channel 4 App.