UKTV JOINS SMART TV STREAMING SERVICE FREELY

UKTV and Everyone TV - the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the UK – have announced that the multi-award-winning broadcaster will bring its on demand service U to new streaming platform, Freely, this month, alongside streamed live channels U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W and U&YESTERDAY.

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.

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, 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.

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.”

Freely smart TVs are available in stores across the UK and online at retailers such as Currys, Argos, AO, Very & John Lewis.