Freely Streaming Service Expands To Non-TV Devices For The First Time
Everyone TV has announced that it’s expanding the availability of its Freely streaming service to dedicated streaming devices, meaning that you’ll no longer need to buy a Freely-compatible smart TV to enjoy the many live channels and tens of thousands of hours of on-demand content the U.K.-based service provides.
The first non-TV device to support the Freely platform will be a plug-in streaming puck delivered by French entertainment technology company Netgem. This puck will enable any TV with an HDMI port to enjoy the full range of Freely channels and features; you’ll no longer have to buy a TV from specific brands such as Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Panasonic, Philips and Sharp that have done agreements with Freely to integrate the service into their built-in smart TV systems.
Freely is coming to an external streaming box for the first time later this year.
Photo: Freely/Everyone TV
Freely doesn’t reveal in the announcement about its expanded availability a definite date that its Netgem puck portal will be available or how much the puck might cost. The only information available at this point is that the streaming puck will arrive “later this year”, that it will be “simple and affordable”, and that while it will be designed with the Freely interface at its core and will come with all of the features and content provided by the Freely platform integrated into TVs, it will also sit alongside access to other popular global and local streaming applications.
The Freely streaming service, if you’re not familiar with it, launched in April 2024 with the backing of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and is designed to give viewers a way of accessing over the Internet many of the TV channels previously only available via the Freeview digital broadcasting service. In other words, Freely is a way of accessing Freeview channels without the need for an aerial/dish receiver, or a device with a built in digital tuner.
That’s not the full extent of what Freely offers, though; it also provides easy access to tens of thousands of hours of on-demand content, and is accessed through a straightforward interface that seamlessly allows users to find and switch between live and archived shows and films. All of Freely’s content, including the on-demand archive, is available without any monthly subscription.
Freely’s announcement of its first non-TV streaming device deal is well timed, following as it does calls made in a report just last week by UK broadcast regulator Ofcom for a clearer vision and plan on how to enhance the delivery of public service media in today’s increasingly streaming-centric age.
“Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone,” comments Everyone TV CEO Jonathan Thompson. “Expanding to ‘plug-in and stream’ devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription. In partnership with Netgem, we’re launching streaming devices to make it easier than ever for UK audiences to enjoy the nation’s favourite TV, for free, on the TV you already have.”
Managing Director of Netgem U.K. Sylvain Thevenot adds: “Netgem is delighted to introduce the first Freely streaming device to the market with Everyone TV. This innovation represents a game-changer for viewers who seek a streamlined TV and entertainment experience delivered over Wi-Fi. The integration of Freely with Netgem’s entertainment service positions this streaming puck as the optimal choice for all households and breathes a second life to all TV sets at an affordable price.”
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