Still hoping to watch TV without an aerial? Freely, the new broadband-based successor to Freeview, is getting another boost this week – as German manufacturer Metz launches a new range of budget-friendly QLED TVs with the streaming platform built-in.
The MQE7600ZUK series is hitting Euronics stores across the UK, joining the growing lineup of wallet-friendly Freely TVs with prices starting at £379.
Wait, What’s Freely Again?
Freely has been around for almost a year now, but if you’re still wondering what it’s all about – you’re not alone.
Launched in April 2024, Freely is designed to be the streaming-age successor to Freeview and Freesat. It comes from Everyone TV (the folks behind Freeview and Freesat) and aims to change how we watch television in the UK.
The idea is pretty straightforward – instead of juggling between different apps and TV inputs, Freely brings everything together in one place.
Like Freeview Play, it offers a unified programme guide that combines live TV and on-demand content. The key difference?
Some of the content streams over your broadband connection instead of coming through an aerial or satellite dish. Great news if you’ve got dodgy TV reception.
Well – that’s the promise, at least. However, when Freely first launched, it was quite basic – offering streaming channels from just the five main broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV).
Since then, things have definitely improved – although there are still quite a few aerial-based Freeview channels that are not a part of Freely (but you can get them, old-school style, if you connect an aerial to your Freely TV).
UKTV joined the party in autumn 2024, bringing popular channels like U&Dave and U&Drama to the streaming lineup.
Then, last month saw one of the biggest updates yet, with eight new channels, including PBS America, TRUE CRIME, LEGEND, and GB News.
The platform now offers more than 40 streaming channels, plus catch-up services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
There is one significant catch though – you can only get Freely on certain 2024 and 2025 TV models.
Unlike Freeview, which works with all sorts of set-top boxes and USB tuners, Freely isn’t available on standalone devices or older TVs.
And while manufacturers like Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, and now Metz have embraced the platform, they’ve predominantly focused on budget to mid-range models.
The New Metz Freely TVs
Unlike better-known TV brands in the UK market, Metz is a German manufacturer with a long history in electronics, having been around since the 1930s.
While they might not be a household name here, they’ve been consistently producing TVs for the European market, and are now owned by Chinese electronics giant Skyworth. In 2023, they also launched a line of Roku TVs in the UK.
What makes these new Freely Metz TVs, announced this week, interesting – is how they’re trying to bring some premium features to the budget-friendly Freely space.
The range uses QLED technology – typically found in pricier models – and comes with a matte finish screen that helps reduce glare, another feature we usually see on more expensive sets.
They’re also the first Freely TVs to use TiVo’s smart TV operating system, rather than the VIDAA or Linux-based systems we’ve seen on other models.
The Tech Specs
The MQE7600ZUK series comes with a solid set of features for the price:
You get 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR support (including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision), and Dolby Atmos audio processing. The QLED panels offer decent brightness levels – 380 cd/m² on the 65-inch model and 320-330 cd/m² on the smaller sizes.
For connections, there are three HDMI ports (one with eARC), built-in WiFi, and Bluetooth support. The TVs also come with voice control capabilities, working with various smart home systems.
Pricing and Where to Buy
The range is exclusive to Euronics stores, with most models available soon:
65-inch (65MQE7600ZUK) – £659
55-inch (55MQE7600ZUK) – £489
50-inch (50MQE7600ZUK) – £429
43-inch (43MQE7600ZUK) – £379 (coming in April)
Metz is backing these TVs with a five-year warranty, which is notably longer than what you typically get in this price range.
While Freely continues to expand its channel lineup and features, it’s clear that manufacturers are focusing on making the platform accessible through more affordable TV options.
Metz’s new range follows this pattern while trying to stand out with QLED technology and the TiVo interface.
Just remember – you’ll need decent broadband to make the most of Freely’s streaming features. And while these TVs do include a Freeview tuner, you’ll still need an aerial connection to access the full range of traditional broadcast channels that aren’t yet available via streaming.
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I don’t understand why you cant record programmes with freely as you can with freesat for example.
I live in France and so with the time difference it would mean not watching anything late at night or early in the morning wouldn’t it?
I am obviously not very tech savvy at my age! But see it says things like tv on demand does that mean I can watch a film at 6pm for example even if it was broadcast last night at 11.15pm?
I am sorry to sound stupid but have no one to ask, living alone and at the moment have a television, freesat and satellite dish, but would like a newer larger tv but am completely lost as to what to buy. Please can someone explain it, but simply.
The mother in law is waiting for a 32inch freely tv to fit the existing space – why are the new TV’s all BIG?
Freely is important to me for my kitchen hen TV. I need it to be 32” to fit my vesa mount. Unfortunately, the producers of Freely TVs have not manufactured any 32” models. It doesn’t look to me like Amazon Fire II from 2025 lineup have Freely for a 32”, either, just Freeview Play. ☹️
Bush Freely TV’s also use the TiVo OS..
As does Panasonic
I normally get my tv via an aerial but on occasion I have viewed live tv using an associated player ie itvx which is an option with any smart tv with relevant apps installed and what I found interesting was itv2 via itvx player is streamed in HD format as opposed to SD format via my aerial this also applies to other channels streamed by their associated players, yesterday channels via the u app for example, so my guess is by streaming via the app is a clunky method of watching what is primarily Freely tv would this assumption be correct?
I’m afraid I won’t be purchasing a new TV just because it has Freely built in, my next TV, which I’ve already picked out doesn’t have it, but it’s a great TV with excellent reviews and that’s what is important to me.