Freely, the new free TV platform which aims to provide a broadband-based Freeview replacement, has launched an eye-catching campaign to celebrate its debut.
Residents in London, Birmingham, and Manchester now have the chance to win a Freely-enabled Hisense TV by hailing a specially branded black cab.
The campaign aims to promote the platform, which combines live and on-demand content from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV, all accessible without a dish or aerial, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
Want to know how to win? Let’s go over the full details.
What is Freely?
Freely is a new free-to-stream TV platform that officially launched in the UK earlier this month.
The platform aims to transform the free-to-air TV landscape, and it may eventually replace Freeview and Freesat with a broadband-based service.
Freely provides viewers with a unified Electronic Programmes Guide (EPG) that seamlessly combines over-the-air and IP-based channels, no matter which (supported) device you use.
Freely devices work with both broadband and aerial connections, allowing users to watch live and on-demand content from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and STV without the need for a dish or aerial, as long as they have a Wi-Fi connection.
However, connecting an aerial to a Freely TV provides access to all the over-the-air channels currently available on Freeview, in addition to the broadband-based channels.
At launch, Freely’s initial channel lineup has been limited, featuring streaming channels from only the five main broadcasters mentioned above.
This selection falls short of the extensive range of channels currently available on Freeview (and Freesat) and even the offerings on Freeview Play, the existing broadband-based side of Freeview.
Currently, Freely is only available on 2024 Hisense 4K TVs, with support for Vestel TVs expected later this summer.
Older TVs and set-top boxes are unlikely to receive Freely support, and even the upcoming Manhattan T4-R Freeview Recorder, which is set to launch soon, will not include Freely support (though it may get that in the future).
The compatible Hisense TV models include the U8N, U7N, U6N, A85N, E7N, E7N PRO, A7N, and A6N series, which range in size from 50″ to 110″.
These new Hisense TVs incorporate advanced technologies like Mini LED, Quantum Dot Colour, and AMD FreeSync Premium for enhanced picture quality and gaming performance.
They also offer improved audio with multi-channel surround sound, built-in subwoofers, and Dolby Atmos support in some models.
It’s important to note that Freeview and Freesat are not being replaced immediately, and they will continue to operate in the coming years – although their long-term future is already being questioned.
For now, Freely serves as an additional solution for those who may not have decent aerial reception at their home – albeit you only get a very limited selection of streaming channels (but that will hopefully improve in the near future).
The Freely Cab Campaign
To mark the launch of Freely, the company has decided to celebrate by sending a specially branded black cab on a mission to spread the word about their new service.
That’s right. Residents of London, Birmingham, and Manchester now have the chance to hail a ride and win a shiny new Hisense TV, all courtesy of Freely.
The rules are simple: if you spot the Freely taxi roaming the streets of your city, you have two options:
You can hail the cab, hop in, and enjoy a viewing of the new TV advert while indulging in some complimentary snacks and drinks (basically the British TV experience – crisps and adverts), and you’ll also have a chance to win.
Or, if the taxi is already occupied by other eager participants or zipping past you on the street (Londoners will be familiar with this), you can whip out your smartphone and scan the QR code on the side of the vehicle to enter the competition.
But wait, there’s more: There’s an additional incentive for early adopters who buy a new Freely Hisense TV.
The first 1,000 people who purchase and register a warranty for their new TV at a dedicated link will be entered into a prize draw, with the possibility of receiving a full refund for their purchase.
So, keep your eyes peeled for the Freely taxi as it makes its way through the streets of London (Monday, May 20), Birmingham (Tuesday, May 21), and Manchester (Wednesday, May 22).
Who knows, you might just find yourself sitting pretty with a brand-new Hisense TV, all thanks to an encounter with a black cab.
Then again, if you just want to watch the new Freely advert – you can do so from the comfort of your home:
Freely has promised to release more information in the coming weeks about additional smart TV, operating system, and content partners, so we’ll keep you updated.
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the 30 sec delay with be annoying in live sport …
Needs a set-top box option.
I don’t want to buy a new TV to get Freely, not only is that expensive, it is also environmentally mad.
Says everything about this, having to give away a tv so 1 person can access it.
How about spending the money to make it FREELY available to the masses not the few