A relatively new player in the UK streaming scene, Freely, has quickly gained traction since its launch in 2024. Recently, it hit a major milestone by surpassing one million weekly users, posing a challenge to established platforms like Freeview, Sky, and Virgin. This surge in users, observed during the Christmas period, signifies rapid growth, with a twofold increase since September last year.
This achievement now positions Freely as the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025. Jonathan Thompson, the CEO of Everyone TV, expressed excitement over reaching the one million user mark, emphasizing the demand for a convenient platform for streaming live British TV and accessing on-demand shows in one place.
Commenting on Freely’s success, Thompson highlighted the collaborative effort of UK public service broadcasters in offering easily accessible British TV content. As the platform continues to gain momentum in 2026, it aims to showcase popular channels and stories in the era of streaming.
While Freely has yet to reach the scale of Sky and Freeview, the trend towards streaming and the shift away from costly subscriptions could expedite its growth. Unlike Freeview, Freely operates solely via broadband connection, ensuring a quick and simple setup process.
Freely boasts various features such as live TV pausing, personalized recommendations, a comprehensive TV guide, a mini guide, and a unique backwards guide for rewinding through schedules. Initially compatible with a limited range of TVs, Freely now supports models from popular brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Bush, and Sharp.
To expand its reach, Freely now offers a streaming puck named Pleio, making it accessible on almost any TV. The platform anticipates launching more set-top devices in the near future, potentially increasing its market share.