Freely launched less than two years ago but it’s user numbers are rising fast.
Dave Snelling Technology Editor
14:25, 19 Jan 2026
Freely TV launch(Image: FREELY)
Freely may be a relative newcomer to UK, but it appears to be having a fair amount of success. The free streaming service only launched back in 2024, yet it has just reached a significant milestone that could put pressure on established platforms such as Freeview, Sky and Virgin. It’s just been confirmed that Freely has surpassed one million weekly users. This milestone took place over the Christmas period and shows some rapid growth, with twice as many people now using Freely from last September.
That figure now makes Freely the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025.
“Surpassing one million weekly users is an exciting milestone for Freely, showing clear demand for a simple way to stream live British TV and discover great on-demand shows all in one place,” said Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV.
“Freely was the fastest-growing TV platform in 2025, highlighting the strength of the UK’s public service broadcasters working together to make brilliant British TV easy to find and stream. It’s a strong start to 2026 as we continue to build momentum, putting the nation’s favourite channels and stories front and centre in the streaming age.”
While Freely still has some way to go before matching the scale of Sky and Freeview, the growing shift towards streaming and the move away from costly subscriptions could help it close the gap faster than expected.
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The platform is owned by the same team behind Freeview, but with one key difference: it runs entirely over a broadband connection rather than an aerial, making setup quick and straightforward.
Freely also offers a range of features, including pausing live TV, personalised recommendations and a full TV guide, alongside a mini guide and a clever backwards guide that lets viewers rewind through schedules.
Initially limited to a small selection of TVs, Freely is now available on a wide range of models from brands such as Hisense, Panasonic, Bush and Sharp.
There’s even more good news for those wanting to join this revolution with a streaming puck called Pleio now available that brings Freely to almost any TV. More set-top devices are expected to launch in the coming months and could give Freely evem more market share.
