Broadband-based live TV streaming service Freely, which is supported by several major UK TV broadcasters (BBC, ITV etc.) and is an evolution – not (yet) a replacement – for the existing Freeview service (inc. Freeview Play and Freesat), has revealed that they’ll add 10 new streaming channels to the free platform in 2026.
The new channels, which are being added thanks to support from Hearst, Bloomberg TV+, AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI UK) and more, include the following additions: BLAZE, Bloomberg TV+, Talking Pictures TV, Gemporia, Local TV, TRUE CRIME UK, Evidence of Evil, Bloodline Detectives, Love After Lock Up and AMC Reality. These new arrivals build on AMCNI UK’s existing portfolio on Freely, which already features LEGEND, TRUE CRIME and WATCH FREE UK.
The move follows the recent launch of several new and exclusive streaming channels from Channel 4 – 4Reality, 4Homes and 4Life. Additional streaming channels from ITV and 5 are expected to follow. Once fully implemented, this will mean that Freely now carries over 70 live channels, alongside the usual array of on-demand content.
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Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, said:
“This latest round of content partners marks another step forward for Freely as we scale up the platform for viewers and partners alike. The research we’re releasing today shows just how much audiences still value British free-to-air television – not just the flagship channels, but the wider family of channels that continue to surprise and entertain us. Freely brings all of that together in one place, for free, and it’s exciting to see the momentum behind it as we look to the year ahead.”
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It’s about as valuable as those unwanted movies they used to stick on magazines in the 90s and 2000s
Still no date, for the release of the stick.
Cool, still needs to come to streaming sticks like Fire/Google/Apple/Roku TV.
Still needs a Freely App so you can watch it on a device like Roku, Firestick etc.
Freely is not the only one expanding the channel lineup with low value advertising supported free to air linear streamed channels.
Roku is doing it too, adding a bunch of quite niche linear channels to their platform using their live TV app (in the US the Roku live TV app also covers local and remote broadcast channels, often with live sports geoblocked, and some also needing a subscription to the local cable provider, including companies like Comcast who own Sky in the UK).