Freely, the free streaming service backed by U.K. broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Paramount’s 5 that launched in 2024, will introduce Freely Spotlight Channels to enable “increased monetization opportunities” for connected TV operating system (CTV OS) partners via the Freely TV Guide.
Everyone TV, formerly known as Digital U.K., the joint venture behind Freely, shared the news on Monday. Its focus is on enabling universal access to free TV in the streaming age.
The new Freely Spotlight Channels will be available on channel 31 and channels 90–99 on Freely-enabled devices, meaning a total of 11 potential channels. V, formerly known as VIDAA, the company behind the VIDAA OS smart TV operating system powering Hisense TVs, is Freely’s launch partner, bringing what the partners called “a curated selection of channels from their lineup to the Freely TV Guide.” V is expected to unveil and launch its channels within the Freely TV Guide later this year.
“The additional channels present an exciting new opportunity to drive discovery, viewing and advertising revenues from free-to-air streaming channels, whilst providing viewers with greater choice,” Freely said. “For CTV OS partners, the initiative creates a new, integrated way to monetize viewing through advertising and channel promotion, while remaining closely aligned with Freely’s core value to ensure the content British audiences know and trust is easy to find.”
Said Deep Halder, chief commercial officer at Everyone TV: “As Freely continues to scale, we are focused on building a platform that delivers long-term value across the whole ecosystem. Enabling CTV OS partner participation in defined parts of the TV guide allows us to deliver unprecedented value to our CTV OS partners in new ways, while staying true to our commitment to U.K. audiences to ensure free, trusted TV remains easy to discover in the streaming age.”
Guy Edri, co-founder and CEO of V, said: “The U.K. is a strategically important market for V, and Freely represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking platform we want to partner with. Spotlight Channels allow us to bring more free, high-quality streaming content directly to viewers through the Freely TV Guide – reinforcing our belief that great television should be accessible to everyone.”
Everyone TV previously said that Freely surpassed 1 million weekly users across Christmas week, with “growth continuing into the first quarter,” it added on Monday. “Freely is independently forecast to be the largest TV device platform in the U.K. by 2030.”
Freely on Monday also unveiled the introduction of a Showcase Channel on channel 100, designed to providing viewers with a series of short how-to, feature and informational videos.
Freely is integrated into new smart TVs and “plug-in and stream” devices, bringing together live and on-demand shows from the biggest U.K. broadcasters in one place, without the need for a dish, aerial or monthly subscription.
