A relatively new player in the UK streaming scene, Freely has quickly gained traction since its 2024 launch. Recently, the platform reached a significant milestone by surpassing one million weekly users, making it the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025. This surge in users over the Christmas period demonstrates substantial growth, with the user base doubling since September.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, expressed excitement about reaching this milestone, citing a clear demand for an easy way to stream live British TV and access on-demand content. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of UK public service broadcasters in making British TV easily accessible through Freely.
While Freely still has ground to cover to catch up to giants like Sky and Freeview, the trend towards streaming and away from traditional subscriptions could expedite its growth. Unlike Freeview, Freely operates solely over broadband connections, simplifying setup for users.
The platform offers various features such as live TV pausing, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, a mini guide, and a unique backwards guide for schedule rewinding. Initially compatible with a limited range of TVs, Freely is now accessible on a broader selection of models from brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Bush, and Sharp.
Furthermore, the introduction of Pleio, a streaming puck, extends Freely’s reach to almost any TV, with more set-top devices anticipated to launch in the near future. This expansion could further solidify Freely’s position in the market.
