UKTV joins the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on the UK’s new live and on demand streaming platform
Monday 16 September, 2024: Everyone TV - the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the UK – has today revealed that its new streaming platform, Freely, gives viewers access to 70,000 hours of on demand content for free, more than any major SVOD in the UK including Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+.
Freely, which launched in April 2024, enables British audiences to stream live channels and seamlessly browse on demand content from the nation’s biggest broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – all in one place, for free. Viewers can take advantage of innovative features on the new platform such as pause, restart and access to more episodes, without having to pay for the service. The new platform ensures all audiences continue to have easy access to an aggregated free TV experience, however they choose to connect.
Freely provides access to 70,000 hours of on demand content, more than that offered by any SVOD service in the UK, including Netflix, Disney+ and AppleTV+. This vast catalogue of the best of British television exists alongside countless hours of streamed live TV that are also uniquely integrated into the service.
It has also been announced that UKTV, the multi-award-winning broadcaster, will bring its on demand service U to Freely this month, alongside streamed live channels U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W and U&YESTERDAY, adding a wide variety of high-quality titles to the platform, including U Originals The Marlow Murder Club, Battle In The Box, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza, Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance, Bangers & Cash and Emma Willis: Delivering Babies.
UKTV joins the public service broadcasters backing Freely, which is integrated into the next generation of smart TVs and offers viewers 96% of the nation’s favourite shows.
Latest data from Ampere Analysis shows that Freely has a significant library of on demand content for UK audiences to enjoy, allowing audiences to browse the UK’s biggest hits including The Traitors, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake Off, Happy Valley, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and All Creatures Great and Small. Plus, household favourites including Doctor Who, Red Eye, Married at First Sight, and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Viewers can also binge British classics such as Gavin & Stacey, Peep Show, The Inbetweeners, Spooks and Last Tango in Halifax.
What’s more, TV fans can look forward to all the latest new shows coming to Freely this autumn, including Alma’s Not Normal, Wallace and Gromit, Mr Loverman, My Mum Your Dad, Playing Nice, Generation Z, Swiped: The School that Banned Mobile Phones, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Great Explorers with James May, and The Hardacres.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said:
“Freely enables audiences to seamlessly browse and stream a vast library of high-quality content from the UK’s biggest broadcasters, all in one place, but with the added advantage that it’s the same trusted, relevant and reliable programming they have always known.
"The new platform brings together local, originated programming that champions UK talent and UK stories. It gives viewers access to the best of British TV, with shows that reflect our nation, driving the national conversation and broadening the common investment that all audiences have in our society.
“At its heart, Freely is about championing access to British content for British audiences. This has only been possible through a major collaboration between the UK’s main public service broadcasters, who are committed to securing the future of free TV in the streaming age.
Lottie Towler, Principal Analyst, Ampere Analysis, said:
“The results of this research indicate that Freely's extensive catalogue is highly competitive in size when compared with major streamers in the market. Additionally, it offers consumers a unified and simplified experience for accessing broadcaster content, which is increasingly important in a competitive and fragmented market.”
Jonathan Newman, General Manager, Commercial, UKTV, said:
“We’re delighted that our free-streaming service U and portfolio of free-to-air channels, recently united under the U Masterbrand, are joining the Freely line-up. It further supports our audience-led strategy, ensuring our viewers can easily access UKTV’s content in a digital world.”
Freely smart TVs are available in stores across the UK and online at retailers such as Currys, Argos, AO, Very & John Lewis.
Notes to Editors
The first iterations of Freely are now in market, on Bush, Hisense, Toshiba, and Panasonic 2024 smart TV models, with additional features and software updates being provided to users as the service develops.
Freely TVs can be placed anywhere in the home where there’s a Wi-Fi connection, without the need for a dish or aerial.
Data provided by Ampere Analysis shows Freely has more hours of on demand content than AcornTV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BFI Player, CuriosityStream, Discovery+, Disney+, Filmdoo, Filmzie, Freevee, GuideDoc, Hayu, Mubi, Netflix, NOW, Paramount+, Plex, Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, RTE Player, Shudder, Tubi, Viaplay and Zee5.
Data based on number of hours of on demand content available across the listed services as of July 2024. Add-on services, TVOD and live sports content not included. Data set includes SVODs listed only, streaming devices are not included.
*96% of the UK’s most watched shows: BARB (Feb 2024 – Jul 2024).
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