There’s now a new way to watch TV in the UK with Freely hoping it can take aim at Sky. This service isn’t like traditional methods of tuning into content with Freely using a broadband connection to beam live and on-demand shows to the big screen in your living room. It’s all very similar to Sky Glass which also ditches the dish and streams things via the web instead.
As its name suggests, Freely is totally free to watch and even includes features such as being able to pause live telly along with offering a full TV guide, on-demand content and recommendations of things to watch.
The only thing you’ll need to access Freely is a new TV as it’s not coming to current tellies. At its launch last month, prices for screens with Freely built-in weren’t available but that’s now changed with retailers in Argos and Currys now offering these streaming televisions.
READ MORE: What is Freely? UK’s new free rival to Sky TV explained
Right now, it’s only Hisense that has Freely compatibility although that will change in the future with more manufacturers now confirming they are onboard with the platform.
Prices are starting from £499 for a 50-inch 4K LED TV with Quad Core 4K Processor. This can rise to over £2,400 once you start boosting the display size and adding things such as improved QLED technology.
It’s worth noting that, because all of the Freely-powered Hisense TVs are new they are more expensive. For example you can pick up 50-inch TVs without Freely inside and pay well under £400.
Then there’s Sky Glass of course. This screen is available via a monthly payment plan which does make it feel more affordable.
Sky Glass also comes with a soundbar built-in along with a whole swathe of features you won’t find on Freely such as full personalisation, integration with other streaming platforms and a way to store shows to watch later thanks to Playlists.
As long as you are happy to pay, Sky Glass also offers way more channels than Freely and users also get voice search and even a remote that glows in the dark.
Of course, once you’ve purchased your Freely TV there’s nothing more to pay and the team behind the project is promising new features and channel updates will be launching over time.
