New update lets UK viewers get Freely on TVs that never supported it
Freely Expands to Older UK Televisions with Plug-In Box
A major update to Freely, the free-to-air streaming platform backed by Everyone TV (which is owned by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5), means UK viewers can now access it on older TVs that didn’t originally support the service.
Traditionally, Freely was only available on selected new smart-TV models built with the service integrated. Viewers had to buy a “Freely TV” from brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Bush or TCL to access its live TV and on-demand catalogue via Wi-Fi and without an aerial.
A recent launch of a standalone device called the Pleio box means that existing televisions with an HDMI input can now “upgrade” to Freely. The device was reported to have sold out quickly, underlining the demand for access.
With the update, older TVs simply need the Pleio streaming box to plug into HDMI, connect to Wi-Fi and start streaming Freely’s live channels and on-demand content. That opens access to around 55 live channels and tens of thousands of hours of on-demand programming without traditional aerial or dish setups.
Viewers will still need appropriate broadband speeds and a compatible HDMI input on their TV, but the move removes the barrier of needing to purchase a completely new television set just to start using Freely. Brands which had not supported Freely natively now gain access via this box route.
The platform continues to position itself as the successor to older Freeview-style services by delivering live and on-demand TV over the internet for free. This expansion makes it a more viable choice for households that previously felt excluded due to hardware limitations.
For UK viewers wondering whether their TV is compatible: as long as the TV has an HDMI port and the user is willing to use the streaming box, they can access Freely. The service still emphasises that no aerial or set-top box is required for the majority of its live/streaming content.
In summary, this update marks a significant shift in availability for Freely—turning previously unsupported TVs into Freely-compatible ones via an affordable add-on device. It broadens the service’s reach and offers UK viewers a new route into free internet-based live and on-demand television.
