Sky Q has dominated the market for more than a decade, maintaining its status as one of the most favored TV devices in the UK. Its exceptional recording capacity has been a key factor in retaining user loyalty. However, a potential new competitor is on the horizon, promising similar functionalities without any subscription charges.
Enter Freely, a feature integrated into many modern televisions, allowing households to access live and on-demand content without requiring an aerial connection. This service delivers content directly to the screen via the internet.
While initially limited to new TV purchases, the accessibility of Freely is about to expand with the imminent launch of a dedicated set-top box that can be connected to existing TVs. The first glimpse of this Freely device, manufactured by Humax, has been uncovered online by the Cordbusters team.
The new Freely box not only grants free access to TV content but also enables users to record programs, akin to Sky Q. Furthermore, it boasts 4K compatibility, ensuring top-notch visual quality that surpasses standard HD.
Although the price for the Freely box may begin at under £250, making it relatively costly, users can enjoy all Freely content without incurring additional charges post-installation.
While an exact release date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, they are anticipated to hit the shelves soon. Notably, a previously available online listing has been removed, suggesting a potential premature reveal. Any updates will be promptly shared once available.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, emphasized the inclusive nature of Freely, aiming to make free TV accessible to all. The introduction of “plug-in and stream” devices represents a significant step towards enabling more households to experience the complete Freely service without requiring a TV upgrade or paid subscription.
Despite offering comparable features to Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q, Freely falls short in terms of content variety. It lacks access to premium sports, movies, or box sets available on platforms like Sky Atlantic or Sky Max. Additionally, services such as Netflix cannot be accessed directly through the Freely platform.
For a comprehensive content selection, users may need to subscribe to one of Sky’s plans, starting as low as £15 per month and often including access to Netflix.
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