Freely’s launch last year was meant to signal a new era in British TV. Here, at last, was a service bringing together live channels and on-demand shows in one place, making it easier to watch without switching between apps or fiddling with multiple remotes. But industry experts and viewers alike were left disappointed when it arrived only on expensive new TVs, not cheaper streaming sticks.
One year on and it’s available on nearly half of TVs sold in the UK, including models by Bush, Hisense, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp and Toshiba. But it’s still missing from LG, Samsung and Sony TVs, and you need to pay £250 for a decent 43in set. Compare that to the £30-£50 for a streaming stick, and you can see why Freely’s appeal remains limited.
Thankfully,…
