Freely TV first look (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH PLC)
The way we all watch TV is starting to change. Sky began the shift a few years ago with the launch of its Sky Glass television which ditches the need for a dish or a set-top box – it’s all built into the TV itself. Owners of these connected screens now access live and on-demand content using their broadband instead.
It’s a pretty smart way to view movies, entertainment and sport but Sky’s premium offering doesn’t come cheap. Its Glass TV starts from £14 per month plus there’s then a monthly content fee of around £26 on top. When you add Sky Sports and other services, things get pricey quickly.
Freely TV is launching soon (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH)
If the thought of streaming TV sounds enticing but you don’t want to pay that price then some good news is on its way.
Freely is a brand new platform that will offer live and on-demand television without needing an aerial drilled into your chimney. It’s actually part of the same Everyone TV group that also runs Freeview and Freesat.
Freely was first announced late last year and, with a UK launch now imminent, the team behind the service has given Express.co.uk a first look and full hands-on before it arrives in homes.
Freely offers easy access to live TV without an aerial (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH)
Freely is basically an app that will be integrated into many new TVs that will go on sale later this year. That’s one important thing to note as it looks unlikely to be available as an update to existing models which means you will have to purchase a new TV to use it.
However, unlike Sky Glass which requires a monthly fee for content, Freely is totally free to use – there are no subscriptions to sign up or any one-off fees to pay.
That might sound a lot like the current Freeview platform but where Freely is different is that all live and on-demand content is streamed to the screen via your broadband.
It’s simple to switch channels and find out what’s up next (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH)
That makes it perfect for those living in flats or wanting to watch live content in parts of their home that have no aerial access. Once the telly is purchased you simply switch it on, pump in your Wi-Fi password and you’re good to go.
Tapping the dedicated Freely button on the remote launches the unique homepage where you’ll see popular on-demand shows along with the option to launch the 7-day TV Guide or view live channels.
It all feels very familiar and it’s incredibly easy to use. You can flick through channels, see what’s coming up next and even see previous episodes of live shows right from the on-screen menu.
There’s also the option to pause live telly for up to 15 minutes – perfect if a neighbour knocks on the door. Once you’re ready to start watching again you simply hit the play button to continue the action.
Other extras include the option to find favourite shows via a search function plus you get full access to platforms such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX within the Freely app. The user interface is clear and easy to navigate plus you can quickly find other episodes of your favourite shows with a few taps on the remote.
Freely has a full TV guide (Image: FREELY)
The simple answer to that question is no. Right now, Freely can’t match Sky for features – that might not come as a surprise considering the TV firm has been refining its devices and services for a number of years.
For example, unlike Sky Glass there’s no way to add content to a favourites section on Freely and you can’t personalise the experience for each member of the home – that’s a function that is especially handy for families with young children in the house.
Sky Glass also feels far more fluid when changing channels and, of course, there are more things to watch via this premium device. Freely has also confirmed that it will only feature HD content and there won’t be any 4K streams. Sky Glass also gets full voice activation and it will recommend shows based on previous viewing habits. Not so with Freely.
We’ll need to spend more time with Freely before bringing you a full review but, although it has a way to go before beating Sky, things certainly look promising. The service already appears slick and the team says they hope to bring more features and improvements to the service in the future. Not being tied into a monthly contract is a major plus for many.
A Freely button on the remote launches the app (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH)
Freely features an easy-to-use TV guide (Image: FREELY)
There’s still no word on an exact launch date but we expect news on a release to be announced within weeks, not months.
Just be aware that Freely won’t be available to download onto current TVs or set-top boxes. This is a new service that is coming to the latest televisions. That means you’ll need to buy a new screen to use it.
We’ll bring you more information on a launch date, TV prices and where to buy it as soon as we hear more.
Freely TV launch (Image: DAVID SNELLING • REACH)
Freely is sure to be in talks with numerous manufacturers about integrating its app into screens. Right now we do know that Freely has also announced a partnership with Vestel. This manufacturer has more than 20 TV brands including Toshiba, Bush, and JVC and will now be featuring the new streaming service on its screens meaning there will be no need for a separate set-top box. Chinese brand Hisense is also including Freely on some of its upcoming tellies as well.