The full channel lineup for Freely, the eagerly awaited free TV platform, has just been unveiled – and it might leave some viewers feeling short-changed.
At launch, the broadband-based platform that aims to potentially replace Freeview and Freesat in the future, will feature channels from only five main broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV.
This limited selection falls short of the expansive range many hoped would transform their TV viewing experience, especially with Freely’s promises of a seamless blend of live and on-demand content.
As we take a closer look at what’s included and what’s missing, let’s assess whether Freely can still live up to its potential despite these initial shortcomings.
What Is Freely?
For those who missed our previous coverage (go here for a comprehensive list of Freely’s features and plans), Freely is a new venture from Everyone TV, the company behind Freeview and Freesat.
It aims to bridge the gap between traditional aerial-based TV and modern broadband-based streaming channels, and eventually become a broadband-based replacement for Freeview and Freesat.
Freely devices will work with both broadband and aerial connections, providing viewers with a unified Electronic Programmes Guide (EPG) that seamlessly combines over-the-air and IP-based channels.
The platform will initially be available on Hisense’s 2024 UHD TV line, followed by availability on Vestel TVs.
Plans to expand to other devices are in the pipeline, though set-top boxes and TVs produced before 2024 will not support Freely at this stage.
Freely’s Launch Lineup: A Mixed Bag
One of the most anticipated aspects of Freely has been its promised extensive lineup of streaming channels.
However, the initial offering may disappoint some viewers. At launch, Freely will only feature streaming channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV.
Even Freeview Play, the current broadband-based aspect of Freeview that has been around for several years, supports a broader selection of streaming and on-demand content.
This means that many of the smaller Freeview channels will not be available on the broadband-only version of Freely on day one.
Freely’s representatives have stated that “Right now, you can enjoy 95% of the UK’s most-watched shows, and we’ll be adding even more channels in the coming weeks and months.”
While this is encouraging, it doesn’t change the fact that, at launch, the broadband-only Freely experience will miss most Freeview channels.
It’s worth noting, however, that if you connect an aerial to your Freely TV, you will have access to all the over-the-air channels currently available on Freeview, in addition to the broadband-based channels.
This hybrid approach ensures that viewers won’t miss out on any of their favourite Freeview channels, even if they’re not yet available via streaming.
However, it also means an aerial and good reception in your area will still be needed.
Plus, the DTT (over-the-air) channels will not support any of the more advanced features, such as Live Pause or programme restart.
Regional Variations and Quirks
One curious aspect of Freely’s channel lineup is the presence of regional variations. Some channels are only available in certain regions, while others have different channel numbers depending on the viewer’s location.
This feels a bit redundant in the world of broadband streaming, where geographical limitations should be a thing of the past.
Freely could have taken this opportunity to make all regional channels available to everyone across the UK, offering viewers a more comprehensive and diverse range of content.
However, it seems that the platform has chosen to stick with the traditional regional model, at least for now.
On the bright side, Freely users will be able to change their region settings fairly easily via their TV’s settings menu.
This means that if you’re curious about what’s airing on a regional channel from another part of the country, you can switch your location and tune in without much hassle.
Freely’s Streaming Channels List
Here’s the full list of TV channels available via broadband on Freely:
| Channel | Number | England | Scotland | Wales | N.Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC One | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Two | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ITV | 3 | ✓ | ✓* | ✓ | |
| STV | 3 | ✓** | |||
| UTV | 3 | ✓ | |||
| Channel 4 | 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| S4C | 4 | ✓ | |||
| Channel 5 | 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ITV2 | 6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ITV3 | 7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Channel 4 | 8 | ✓ | |||
| BBC Scotland | 8 | ✓ | |||
| BBC Three | 10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Four | 11 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC ALBA | 12 | ✓ | |||
| Film4 | 13 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| E4 | 14 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| More4 | 15 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4seven | 16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ITV4 | 21 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ITVBe | 22 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5STAR | 25 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5ACTION | 26 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5USA | 29 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5SELECT | 30 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Scotland | 63 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| BBC ALBA | 64 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| BBC News | 301 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Parliament | 302 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CBBC | 351 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CBeebies | 352 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
** Outside Border region only
Freely will also include a long list of radio stations available via broadband:
| Channel | Number | England | Scotland | Wales | N.Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC Radio 1 | 601 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 1Xtra | 602 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 2 | 603 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 3 | 604 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 4 | 605 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 5 Live | 606 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra | 607 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 6 Music | 608 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio 4 Extra | 609 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Asian Network | 610 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC World Service | 611 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local / Regional Radio 1* | 612 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local / Regional Radio 2* | 613 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local / Regional Radio 3* | 614 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local Radio 4* | 615 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local Radio 5* | 616 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local Radio 6* | 617 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Local Radio 7* | 618 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Scotland | 692 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio nan Gaidheal | 693 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Wales | 694 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Cymru | 695 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Cymru 2 | 696 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Ulster | 697 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Foyle | 698 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Berkshire | 699 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Bristol | 700 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Cambridgeshire | 701 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Cornwall | 702 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC CWR | 703 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Cumbria | 704 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Derby | 705 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Devon | 706 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Essex | 707 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Gloucestershire | 708 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Guernsey | 709 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Hereford & Worcester | 710 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Humberside | 711 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Jersey | 712 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Kent | 713 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Lancashire | 714 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Leeds | 715 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Leicester | 716 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Lincolnshire | 717 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio London | 718 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Manchester | 719 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Merseyside | 720 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Newcastle | 721 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Norfolk | 722 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Northampton | 723 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Nottingham | 724 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Oxford | 725 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Sheffield | 726 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Shropshire | 727 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Solent | 728 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Solent Dorset | 729 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Somerset | 730 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Stoke | 731 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Suffolk | 732 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Surrey | 733 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Sussex | 734 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Tees | 735 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Three Counties Radio | 736 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio Wiltshire | 737 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio WM | 738 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BBC Radio York | 739 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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I Want to keep Freeview is a fine channels not shut it down.
lets hope the internet does not go down, we dont need freely we have 3 good systems freeview, freesat and freeview from sky
Freely in name and freely by nature,I will stick to the quality programming and pay a bit extra, they’ve even launched it on a crap television system, makes you wonder why??????
The trouble I suspect with Freely is the fact that its entering a market that is saturated with other live channels and streaming services, that theres no market for it, unless it develops its own studio-based content like Netflix and Amazon. We have entered a new age where these companies are fighting for its customers by marketing its own branded content, but they know that they cant do this alone with subscriptions and they do rely on advertising. It seems to me that we are going backwards and choose to watch live tv without having to pay for subscription…well…maybe thats not altogether true…there is the BBC TV Licence to consider.
It appears that Freely will be available on Hisense , a maker whose products are not generally praised !!
I have a Hisense pre-freely TV, and it’s just fine. No matter what the brand, you’ll get those who think one or the other are rubbish. The internet is full of them. If we listened to everyone who had a negative opinion, then we wouldn’t buy anything!
Since it’s only currently for those buying a new TV and more channels “will be added over the company Ng weeks and months, while in the meantime you can get the other channels overy Freeview, then the “disappointing” launch tag seems overdone.
How many people will this really effect before more channels are added? Better to get it out there and build on it rather than waiting for other channels to come on board
How can Freely be said to have launched if the Hisense TVs don’t seem to be on sale? Searching Argos, Currys, Amazon and AO for ‘freely’ draws a blank.
None of the promotional splurge from Freely mentions the lack of recording facilities or ad skipping.
Are they just naive or are they just keeping their fingers crossed that viewers will forget all about doing away with adverts.
And in the meantime, thousand upon thousand of new Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony and other brand TV’s pour out of the shops every day with most purchasers noit even aware of Freely.
Freely is very disappointing. Limiting it to certain brand new TV sets is a mistake. As an app compatible with all major streaming devices it could be a viable alternative to Freeview and Freesat, but not in its current form.
I’d be interested to know more about issues such as time delays (latency) vs Freesat and Freeview as this would have implications for events such as live sport.
At the moment, TV Launcher with an Apple TV and linked apps is better.
Totally agree. Apple TV app and Firestick app would have got this out to the masses quickly and been better for the environment.
Gotta hope these come asap as it’s silly to get people to throw away their TV to get access to a streaming app.
Or open up freely and let community developers build apps for TVos etc.
I agree,if it was available on Google Play store or Amazon it could have an impact, but like every else in the UK what America does today we do in another 5 years
Is there a technical reason why existing TVs can’t be software updated to Freely?
Yes they want more money and more tvs to go to landfill
What equipment do I need to access Freely channels?
A new (2024) 4K TV from Hisense (and in a few months, there will be a few more TV models – but only new ones)
I really cannot build any enthusiasm for Freely as it stands, and certainly won’t be buying any Freely kit.
could not agree more