Freeview-style service via broadband Freely launching 2024

[1andrew1]

Great to see this missing piece of the broadcast jigsaw being launched. Surprised that it won't be available for pre-2024 sets.

Britain’s public sector broadcasters will launch a digital service that will end the need for an aerial to access all freely available channels allowing them to more directly compete against large streaming platforms.

The new service — called Freely — will be built into the next generation of smart TVs, in effect taking the Freeview TV platform on to the internet.

The service is expected to be introduced in new TVs from next year, but will not be available in older sets. This will mean British viewers will be able to watch live TV channels alongside on-demand content streamed to smart TVs via the internet.

Freely is being developed by Everyone TV, the organisation that runs free TV in the UK and is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

https://www.ft.com/content/d187aad9-...a-083b22bd706e

Daily Mail article: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainm...2ce69f431&ei=7

I’m sure a Freely box/plug-in hardware will be produced to fill the gap in the market, just like the old freeview boxes were previously…

Originally Posted by Hugh

I’m sure a Freely box/plug-in hardware will be produced to fill the gap in the market, just like the old freeview boxes were previously…

I would certainly hope so, with a recording option as well would be even better (my old freesat box could record).

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I’m sure a Freely box/plug-in hardware will be produced to fill the gap in the market, just like the old freeview boxes were previously…

Agreed although there are rumours there might be an app that can be downloaded for older smart TVs.

I can see this being an annoyance to VM and Sky as it makes it easier for people to cancel their TV service and just use their smart TVs for all services.

It could be beneficial for the altnets who use Netgem for their TV services as Netgem currently requires a TV aerial for its Freeview channels in the same way that BT TV used to.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Agreed although there are rumours there might be an app that can be downloaded for older smart TVs.

I can see this being an annoyance to VM and Sky as it makes it easier for people to cancel their TV service and just use their smart TVs for all services.

It could be beneficial for the altnets who use Netgem for their TV services as Netgem currently requires a TV aerial for its Freeview channels in the same way that BT TV used to.

It depends on what it is and at the moment there is just publicity blurb rather than technical details. If it is something like DVB-I, as some think it may be, it will need more than an app. Maybe a Freely STB as an add-on.

[v0id]

I just don't see the point, when all the services have their own streaming apps, but then I didn't see the point of "britbox" either especially now ITV have their own premium service.

[Rillington]

It's being designed for those who would otherwise lose access to television when DTT transmission is switched off to allow the spectrum to be sued my mobile telephone companies, which I expect to happen during the 2030s.