Freely announces big channel line-up expansion for 2026

Broadband delivered Freely has announced a major expansion of its channel line-up for 2026.

Developed by Everyone TV, the organisation overseeing the evolution of free-to-air television in the UK, Freely is a streaming-first platform backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Available natively on a growing number of smart TVs, it delivers live and on-demand content over Wi-Fi without the need for an aerial or satellite dish.

The platform surpassed 500,000 weekly active devices earlier this year and is forecast to be the UK's largest TV device platform by 2030.

Adoption has been driven by integration into TVs from manufacturers including Hisense, Panasonic, Sharp, TCL, Amazon Fire TV and others, with plug-in Freely devices due to follow. With more than 70 linear channels currently available and a deep archive of on-demand programming, Freely is positioning itself as a unified destination for free live streaming, a strategic evolution of the traditional Freeview/Freesat ecosystem for the IP era.

Announced at MIPCOM in Cannes, the latest round of partnerships will see 10 additional streaming channels join Freely next year. Hearst Networks, Bloomberg TV+ and Local TV are among the new contributors. AMC Networks International UK will extend its presence significantly, bringing True Crime UK, Evidence of Evil, Bloodline Detectives, Love After Lock Up and AMC Reality to the platform, building on its existing roster of Legend, True Crime and Watch Free UK.

Additional channels due to launch include Blaze, Talking Pictures TV, Gemporia and multiple regional Local TV services covering major UK cities including London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds. Bloomberg TV+ will add a business and finance news feed to the line-up.

These arrivals follow recent Channel 4 FAST channel launches, including 4Reality, 4Homes and 4Life, which were made available exclusively on Freely. ITV and Channel 5 are set to follow with additional thematic channels.

New research commissioned by Everyone TV highlights strong consumer sentiment towards free-to-air channels, with viewers rating them highest for relaxation and entertainment, and lowest for anxiety. This underlines sustained demand for ‘lean-back’ scheduled viewing, even as streaming services continue to fragment the market.

For installers and AV pros, Freely’s rapid content growth marks a significant shift in the free-to-air proposition. As IP-delivered linear services gain traction, specifying Freely-enabled displays or devices presents a new value-add for clients transitioning from terrestrial reception to all-IP distribution, and creating fresh opportunities when it comes to media room design and location.