Freely, a relatively new player in the UK market, has quickly gained traction since its launch in 2024. The free streaming service recently achieved a significant milestone by surpassing one million weekly users, signaling a potential challenge to established platforms like Freeview, Sky, and Virgin. This growth was particularly notable during the Christmas period, with a doubling in the number of Freely users compared to September last year.
These achievements have crowned Freely as the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK for 2025. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, expressed enthusiasm about reaching over one million weekly users, attributing it to the demand for a convenient way to stream live British TV and access on-demand content seamlessly. He highlighted the collaborative effort of UK public service broadcasters in making British TV easily accessible through streaming services.
While Freely still has ground to cover to reach the scale of Sky and Freeview, the increasing trend towards streaming and the shift away from expensive subscriptions could expedite its growth. Unlike Freeview, Freely operates solely through a broadband connection, simplifying the setup process for users.
Freely boasts various features including live TV pausing, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, a mini guide, and a unique backwards guide allowing viewers to rewind through schedules. Initially compatible with a limited range of TVs, Freely has expanded its availability to include models from popular brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Bush, and Sharp.
For those interested in adopting this streaming revolution, the introduction of the Pleio streaming puck enables access to Freely on almost any TV. Additional set-top devices are anticipated to launch in the near future, potentially elevating Freely’s market share further.