Advanced Television

Freely adding streamed channels

April 16, 2025

By Colin Mann

Everyone TV – the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the UK – has confirmed that a collection of streamed channels are coming to Freely, the live and on demand streaming platform backed by the PSBs BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5.

As audiences increasingly choose to stream live TV, Freely says that it is leading the way with an expanded offering of PSB premium streamed channels. Viewers will be able to browse and watch these new channels all in one place, exclusively on the Freely TV guide.

Viewers can access the new channels via smart TVs with Freely included, available to purchase from a number of manufacturers including Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp, TCL, Amazon Fire TVs and METZ.

Scheduled to launch later in 2025, the 16 new streamed channels will showcase some of the nation’s most popular programming from UK public service broadcasters:

• ITV will launch two of its streamed channels, The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night (also available through ITVX).
• Channel 4’s three new channels will launch exclusively via Freely. 4Reality will showcase the best Channel 4 reality programming such as Married at First Sight. 4Homes provides access to Channel 4’s extensive line-up of homes content across renovation, interior design and new property spanning shows such as Grand Designs. 4Life* (w/t) meanwhile, will feature programmes showcasing the great content Channel 4 viewers love best, including travel, food and animals, such as The Do House.
• Eleven of 5’s recently launched live channels, including 5 Police Interceptors, 5 Cops and 5 A&E, join Freely. Five of the channels will be exclusively available on Freely and the 5 streaming service – 5 GPs Behind Closed Doors, 5 The Yorkshire Vet, 5 History, 5 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, and Milkshake!.

With the new streams, Freely will offer more than 55 live channels over Wi-Fi, alongside 70,000+ hours of on demand content. More channels are expected to join the line-up as the service continues to grow.

Everyone TV has also announced that FAST channels from the VIDAA platform will be integrated into the Freely TV Guide on Hisense and Toshiba Freely TVs in the near future, further expanding the offering for viewers on these devices. This includes over 80 channels introduced to the Freely TV Guide from channel number 1001, such as Sony ONE, CNN, Sky, Banijay and others.

“At ITV we’re proud to be part of Freely and making these channels available to the Freely TV Guide reinforces our commitment to delivering fantastic, free content through this innovative platform and showcases our continued collaboration with other leading UK broadcasters,” commented Akhila Khanna, ITV Director of Distribution.

“The launch of new streamed channels further accelerates our transformation into the streaming age and will help keep our trusted, brand safe content free for everyone,” said Grace Boswood, Director of Technology & Distribution, Channel 4. “As the only place to access our new channels at launch, Freely continues to represent brilliant collaboration by public service media.”

“We’re excited to bolster Freely’s offering with eleven new live channels, including five that will be exclusive to the platform and 5,” added 5’s VP Distribution Kiaran Saunders. Working alongside the other PSBs, we are committed to offering diverse, high-quality content that’s free and accessible to everyone.”

Since launch, Freely has increased reach through partnering with almost half of the UK TV manufacturer market, and announced deals with content partners including UKTV, AMC Networks International and PBS America, with more to come during 2025.

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