Freely, the UK’s broadband-based platform that aims to eventually replace Freeview and Freesat, has announced a significant expansion of its content offerings.
The service will add eight new live streaming channels and four on-demand players in early 2025, bringing its total lineup to over 40 streamed live channels and 74,000 hours of on-demand content.
The expansion marks another milestone for the young platform, which has been steadily growing since its launch in April 2024.
Among the new additions are channels from AMC Networks International UK, PBS America, GB News and QVC (see the full list below).
A Growing Platform
Since its launch earlier this year, Freely has been working to establish itself as the internet-based successor to traditional free TV services.
The platform, developed by Everyone TV (the organisation behind Freeview and Freesat), offers a unified interface for both live and on-demand content without requiring an aerial or satellite dish (but only for the channels that are currently available via streaming – the rest do still require an aerial).
At its core, Freely provides an innovative Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) that seamlessly integrates streaming channels with on-demand content from the UK’s major broadcasters.
This means viewers can browse through live channels and catch-up content in one place, switching effortlessly between live broadcasts and on-demand shows from services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4.
Initially available only on select 2024 Smart TV models from manufacturers like Hisense and Vestel, Freely expanded to select Amazon Fire TV-powered televisions in autumn 2024.
The service also received a content boost in September when it added UKTV’s channels, including U&Dave, U&Drama, U&Yesterday, and U&W.
While the platform launched with a relatively modest channel selection featuring only the five main broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV), it has been gradually expanding its offerings.
New Channels Coming in 2025
The latest expansion, announced today, brings several notable additions to the platform.
AMC Networks International UK will bring its recently rebranded channels TRUE CRIME (formerly CBS Reality) and LEGEND, along with their Xtra variants.
These channels offer a mix of true crime documentaries, action programming, and classic entertainment content.
PBS America will join the lineup with its rich selection of documentaries and factual programming, including works from renowned filmmaker Ken Burns and the award-winning Frontline series.
The expansion also includes GB News and two QVC shopping channels, broadening the platform’s genre diversity.
All new channels will be available to stream without requiring an aerial connection.
On-Demand Expansion
Alongside the live channels, Freely is adding four new on-demand players:
- WATCH FREE UK (AMC’s streaming service, which is also available on Freeview Play devices)
- PBS America
- GB News Catch-up
- QVC+
These will join existing players like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and UKTV Play in Freely’s streaming lineup.
Once the new channels are added, the full list of Freely streaming channels available in England would be:
| Channel | Number |
|---|---|
| BBC One | 1 |
| BBC Two | 2 |
| ITV/STV/UTV | 3 |
| Channel 4/S4C | 4 |
| Channel 5 | 5 |
| ITV2 | 6 |
| ITV3 | 7 |
| BBC Three | 10 |
| BBC Four | 11 |
| Film4 | 13 |
| E4 | 14 |
| More4 | 15 |
| 4seven | 16 |
| U&Dave | 19 |
| U&Drama | 20 |
| ITV4 | 21 |
| ITVBe | 22 |
| 5STAR | 25 |
| 5ACTION | 26 |
| U&Yesterday | 27 |
| U&W | 28 |
| 5USA | 29 |
| 5SELECT | 30 |
| TRUE CRIME (new) | 37 |
| LEGEND (new) | 38 |
| PBS America (new) | 49 |
| TRUE CRIME Xtra (new) | 50 |
| LEGEND Xtra (new) | 51 |
| BBC News | 301 |
| BBC Parliament | 302 |
| GB News (new) | 304 |
| CBBC | 351 |
| CBeebies | 352 |
| QVC (new) | 451 |
| QVC 2 (new) | 453 |
Challenges Remain
While this expansion represents significant progress for Freely, some challenges persist.
The platform remains available only on newer TV models, limiting its accessibility compared to traditional services like Freeview and Freesat – and it’s not available at all on set-top boxes and standalone streaming devices.
Additionally, despite the new additions, many popular Freeview channels are still missing from Freely’s streaming lineup.
This means many viewers may still need to maintain an aerial connection for complete access to free-to-air content.
The new channels and on-demand content will be available on Freely in early 2025, accessible across all supported devices, including Amazon Fire TVs, Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Sharp, TCL and Panasonic 2024 4K smart TVs.
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Surely at some point a set top box must become available.
I do not need or can afford a new TV.
Would be great to see an App for the live channels or integration into streaming devices like FireTV and AppleTV. I realise there may be rights issues to work through which may be why it’s taking longer than expected to get all the channels onto the platform currently available OTA. I’m sure given time they will all appear, hopefully.
If it was available on a stick, I’d probably buy one and replace my Roku.. The addition of a live Tv channel guide would be good to have.. Lack of recording is still a massive issue..