We're no stranger to the inception of Freely, the "TV through internet" alternative to Freeview created by Freeview owner Everyone TV. As an alternative, Freely offers IPTV streaming but, unlike Netflix or Prime, Freely actually presents content in an EPG.
The problems of Freely have reared their head a few times since launch, and it's still a very niche alternative rather than a full-on replacement for Freeview.
But, for those wanting to test the new UK Streaming App for themselves, where do you even begin?
As of March 2025, Freely is still only available from specific brand partners, and only on their latest models.
Currently, the Freely products page shows 50+ different TVs which have Freely. This range is considerably larger than when Freely was only available on a lonely 12 models! Even so, splashing out on a brand-new 2025-model TV just for Freely seems a little far-fetched. It is, however, promising to see the range growing so fast.
You can choose your screen size (so long as you want at least 43") and price range (Starting at £229.99 and getting up to £1599.99) but beyond that you're getting what you'd expect in a 2024/5 Smart TV, plus the ability to use Freely.
Another restriction of these compatible TVs, as spotted by an eagle-eyed reader, is that the smallest size of TV available with Freely is 43 inches. This means if you aren't going to dedicate a new space for your TV, then those using smaller screens are out of luck!
As of March 2025, Freely is not available as a standalone app. This means that current Smart TV's can't simply search the store and download the Freely app. In fact, Freely is restricted to specific hardware and only available on brand-partner TV's.
As of March 2025, Freely has not unveiled plans for an external solution to add Freely to your TV, such as a smart TV stick or a set top box. This would allow us to have the hardware and firmware needed for Freely, but add it on to our current TV (saving a lot of that prerequisite cost in the process!).
Freely was added to Amazon Fire devices. This is unfortunately limited to Fire TVs which natively have Amazon Fire systems and will not affect Amazon Fire Sticks. So, more TVs are available to use Freely but we still don't have an external solution to add Freely to our current TV.
"Freely will be available on Amazon Fire TV smart TVs including Fire TV 2-Series, 4-Series and Omni Series as well as smart TVs with Fire TV built-in, this does not include portable Fire TV devices." - Freely Notes to Editors
It was a bit of excitement, but because Freely is only available via TVs themselves rather than a Fire Stick, it basically amounts to the brand partner list having more added.
That's by no means a bad thing, as the more TVs that support Freely, the better! However, it's a far cry from the accessibility that a Fire Stick version of Freely could provide. It is a shame to see Freely become available on Fire TVs but remain unavailable on Fire TV Sticks.
I really want more to write here, because Freely as a replacement for Freeview must, eventually, become accessible on devices other than these specific 50. However, there's simply only one way to actually access Freely right now and, unfortunately, it's far from "free".
While Freely advertises that "All you need is Wifi", that fact only becomes true after you've splashed out on a brand new TV of a specific make, and paid your TV licence + any internet bills for the speedy service you'll need to properly run Freely.
It's a lot of prerequisites for very little payoff, so I am hoping I can add sections for accessing Freely via a Freely set top box, or Freely smart TV stick, or ideally just a simple Freely download!
Coincidentally, don't go downloading the "Freely" app on android devices thinking it's this, there actually happens to be a travel insurance app called "Freely" and it most certainly won't give you access to live UK TV...
What a dumb idea only having the Freely service on.their own TV’s. People are really choosey about their tech. They are also limiting its market, people like choice. Who evere worked on the roll out and adverting of this new system, should give their head a wobble. You have totally limited the market access. Good luck getting this off the ground, when it’s already sinking.
Wishlist is empty.
You might also mention that nothing smaller than 43in models seem to offer freely.