Sky Q has dominated the market for more than a decade, remaining a top choice for TV viewers in the UK. Its extensive recording capabilities have been a major draw for users. However, a potential new competitor may soon emerge, offering similar features without requiring any subscription fees.
Enter Freely, already integrated into many new televisions, providing households with the ability to access live and on-demand content without the need for a traditional aerial setup. This service delivers content directly to the screen via the internet.
Initially, the only means to enjoy Freely was by purchasing a new television set. But a transformation is on the horizon that could pose a challenge to Sky Q’s supremacy.
The creators of Freely, known for managing Freeview as well, have revealed plans to introduce a dedicated set-top box compatible with existing TVs. The first glimpse of these Freely devices, produced by Humax, has surfaced online. These boxes not only grant free TV access but also enable users to record programs akin to Sky Q. Additionally, they are 4K-ready, promising ultra-sharp visuals surpassing standard HD quality.
Although the price for the Freely box may start from under £250, making it a relatively costly investment, users will not encounter any ongoing fees as all Freely content will be freely accessible.
The exact launch date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, but they are expected to hit retail shelves in the near future.
Interestingly, a previously available online listing has vanished, hinting at a premature reveal. Any updates will be promptly shared as soon as they emerge.
Earlier this year, Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, expressed, “Freely was designed to democratize free TV access. Expanding to ‘plug-in and stream’ devices represents a significant and logical progression to ensure more households can enjoy the complete Freely experience without needing to upgrade their TV or subscribe to a paid service.”
While Freely rivals platforms like Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q in offering similar functionalities, it falls short in terms of content variety compared to Sky. Freely lacks access to premium sports, movies, or boxsets from channels such as Sky Atlantic or Sky Max. Moreover, it does not support external services like Netflix within the platform.
To access premium content, such as the aforementioned offerings, users will need to subscribe to one of Sky’s plans, starting as low as £15 per month, often bundling services like Netflix.
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