Sky Q has dominated the market for over a decade, remaining a top choice for TV viewers in the UK. Its renowned feature of unlimited content recording has been a major draw for users. However, a potential competitor is on the horizon, offering similar functionalities without the need for subscription fees.
Enter Freely, already integrated into many new televisions, providing households with the ability to access live and on-demand content without requiring an aerial connection. This is made possible through web-based streaming directly to the screen.
Initially, the only route to access Freely was by purchasing a new television. However, a game-changer is on the way that could challenge Sky Q’s position. The developers of Freely, also behind Freeview, have disclosed plans to release a dedicated set-top box compatible with existing TVs. A sneak peek of one of these Freely devices, manufactured by Humax, has surfaced online for the first time, as reported by Cordbusters.
The Freely box not only grants free access to television content but also enables users to record programs akin to Sky Q. Additionally, it boasts 4K compatibility for crystal-clear visuals surpassing standard HD quality.
While the price for the Freely box may start below £250, making it relatively costly, users will not encounter any additional charges post-installation, as all Freely content is complimentary.
Although an exact launch date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, their availability in retail outlets is anticipated imminently. Interestingly, the online listing has been removed, suggesting a possible premature posting. Updates will be provided as soon as any alterations are detected.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, emphasized the goal behind Freely, stating, “Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone. Expanding to ‘plug-in and stream’ devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription.”
It is important to note that while Freely offers comparable features to Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q, it falls short in terms of content variety compared to Sky’s premium offerings. Freely lacks access to exclusive sports, movies, or boxsets from channels like Sky Atlantic or Sky Max, and does not support external services such as Netflix within the platform.
For those seeking access to premium content, a subscription to one of Sky’s plans is necessary, starting as low as £15 per month and often bundling popular services like Netflix.
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