Freely - Live TV streaming service

[goslow]

Looks like the countdown clock for the end of Freeview has officially started

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/freely-streaming-service-bbc-itv-newsupdate/

[newapollo]

There's a bit more information and speculation on 

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/freeview-freesat-streaming-freely/ 

[Adduxi]

AFAIK, Freeview always had a date to finish. I use it and find it very good and along with a recorder, it suits my needs.  My personal gripe with free streaming TV, is having to watch the ads ......  

[goslow]

2034 has always been touted as the 'end' of terrestrial digital TV and seems to be the date current spectrum licences are being issued to.

I've noticed the BBC ramping up its efforts to switch to online (regular sign-in nag screens on the BBC website, a sign-in nag screen for iPlayer before you can view the web pages, once you have logged in already on a device). The Freely TV thing looks like the next step in having something running and ready for 2034.

Maybe the TV licence will be replaced with a subscription to Freely TV!

[unisoft]

Launched today

https://www.freely.co.uk/

[Adduxi]

Yes, but only if you go out and buy new Hisense TV sets ........    I would have thought a least a set top box as well, or a decent app?  I'm guessing they need to get the money in from somewhere.  I'll stick with my Humax recorder for the time being, thank you  🙂

[newapollo]

It may be a while before we see an app or set top box for Freely.

There are very few channels available via wifi - mainly the 5 PSB's and their spin off channels. You need to use an aerial to watch the full complement of channels.

Full lists of the available channels are on 

https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/slim-pickings-as-freeview-replacement-freely-goes-live/ 

Only the wifi channels are shown on the actual /freely.co.uk/channel-list page

[Roger_Gooner]

I've heard of limited releases but to get Freely only on a new Hisense TV takes the biscuit. How much did Hisense pay for this?

Also I'm not sure that 31 TV stations and 66 radio stations via broadband will excite people too much.

[newapollo]

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@Roger_Gooner wrote:

I've heard of limited releases but to get Freely only on a new Hisense TV takes the biscuit. How much did Hisense pay for this?

Also I'm not sure that 31 TV stations and 66 radio stations via broadband will excite people too much.

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Hi @Roger_Gooner 

Freely is also being introduced on Vestel TV's so that's a much larger base - info below from 

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/freeview-heir-tv-vestel-gets-freely/ 

As Freely gears up for its upcoming launch, the broadband-based Freeview/Freesat replacement service has just announced a partnership with another major TV manufacturer – Vestel.

Responsible for more than twenty well-known TV brands, such as JVC, Hitachi, Toshiba and more – the collaboration with Vestel signifies a considerable step towards ensuring a wide adoption of Freely.

With over a third of smart TV brands now poised to support Freely at launch, the service promises a seamless integration of live and on-demand television, heralding a significant transformation in how viewers access free-to-air content.

Vestel, a significant manufacturer in the European TV market, has entered into a five-year agreement with Freely, to integrate the platform into its range of smart TVs, including well-known brands such as Toshiba, Bush, and JVC.

[unisoft]

Sony and the usual others will likely appear from next year. IPTV channels will be added to as each broadcaster gears up investment in infrastructure to support it. It will end up with more channels than today and its cheaper than having sat feeds with epg slots or slots on Freeview too.