Freely, a relatively new player in the UK market, has achieved notable success since its launch in 2024. Recently, the free streaming service hit a significant milestone by surpassing one million weekly users, marking a substantial growth during the Christmas period. The surge in users indicates a rapid adoption rate, with a twofold increase compared to last September.
This achievement has positioned Freely as the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, expressed excitement over reaching this milestone, highlighting the demand for a straightforward platform to stream live British TV and access on-demand content in one convenient location.
Emphasizing the collaborative effort of UK public service broadcasters to showcase British TV content easily, Thompson stated that the success of Freely in 2025 demonstrates the nation’s favorite channels and stories taking the lead in the streaming era as they gear up for a promising 2026.
While Freely has yet to reach the scale of established platforms like Sky and Freeview, the ongoing shift towards streaming services and the trend away from expensive subscriptions could expedite its growth trajectory.
Distinguished by its broadband-based infrastructure that simplifies setup, Freely offers various features such as live TV pausing, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, and innovative rewind capabilities through schedules. Initially accessible on a limited range of TVs, Freely has expanded to include models from popular brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Bush, and Sharp.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Pleio streaming puck enables Freely to reach a broader audience by making it compatible with nearly any TV. Future plans include launching additional set-top devices in the upcoming months, potentially solidifying Freely’s market presence even further.