Freely—the new streaming service backed by Britain’s leading broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5—is now available through the next generation of smart TVs now on sale in stores and online in the U.K. Initially announced last fall, the launch was unveiled by Everyone TV—an organization owned by the public broadcasters that advocates for the evolution of free TV in the U.K.

Freely allows U.K. broadband subscribers to stream live TV channels alongside on demand content for free via their smart TVs, removing the need for a dish or aerial. Featuring what Everyone TV calls “world-first innovations for free TV,” viewers can switch seamlessly between live and on demand content from the UK’s leading broadcasters.

The new service marks the first time all four of Britain’s public service broadcasters have partnered to launch a streaming service, according to the broadcasters, who heralded the launch as an example of the kind of cooperation they’ll need to better compete in the streaming market.

Currently about two-thirds (12.8 million) U.K. households subscribe to a streaming service in 2024, according to Finder.com, a decline from 2023, which could be attributed to rising subscription costs. Netflix led the pack at 16.3 million subscribers, followed by Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Paramount. 

Initially the service will be available on new Hisense smart TVs available in stores across the UK and online at retailers such as Currys, Argos, AO and Very. It's also available on smart TVs powered by TiVo and via Vestel smart TVs Powered by TiVo. Vestel was previously announced as a Freely smart TV partner, with Vestel Freely TVs due to launch in the coming weeks.

“The launch of Freely is a historic moment for U.K. television,” said Kieran Clifton, Director, BBC Distribution & Business Development. “Collaboration between the U.K. PSBs is critical to connecting and protecting all audiences as we transition towards the streaming era—and delivering live TV over broadband for free is a ground-breaking innovation that will futureproof public service broadcasting,  

Martin Goswami, ITV Group Strategic Partnerships and Distribution Director, says: "The success and impact of programmes like ITV's Mr Bates vs the Post Office shows the importance of U.K. PSBs and ITV is proud to be part of this exciting new chapter for free TV in this country with Freely. Bringing live streamed channels and on demand content together in Freely gives viewers the opportunity to access the very best in British content as easily as possible, from live and recent programmes to a wealth of on-demand options."

“Freely will deliver the best of Britain’s world-leading public service content seamlessly and for free,” said Grace Boswood, Technology & Distribution Director, Channel 4. “It further supports Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy as we accelerate our transformation into the streaming age, ensuring our trusted, brand-safe content is available to everyone.”

James Tatam, SVP Business & Revenue for Channel 5, says: "We're delighted to be part of Freely, which will ensure UK audiences can continue to easily discover and enjoy original, high quality British programmes from Channel 5 and the other public service broadcasters - live and on-demand, for free."

Everyone TV has confirmed that STV and S4C will also bring their channels and on demand content to Freely, via broadband. STV and S4C are free-to-air public service broadcasters for Scotland and Wales respectively, whose content can be viewed across the UK.

In addition to being able to switch seamlessly between live and on demand TV from leading UK broadcasters, Freely also allows viewers to pause, restart and access more episodes, without having to pay for the service. Freely TVs can also be placed anywhere in the home where a Wi-Fi connection is available. 

Freely says it will announce more details in the coming weeks, including additional smart TV, operating system and content partners.

The new free TV streaming service backed by U.K. broadcasters, Freely, has announced it will launch in the U.K. in Q2 2024 with a third of smart TV brands now confirmed to be bringing the platform to viewers.

Backed by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 and developed by Everyone TV, Freely has also released a first glimpse of its user-interface and features.

In launching the new free streaming service, the broadcasters cited that research studies that project more than half of UK homes will watch TV exclusively over broadband by 2030 and said that the new service will future-proof live TV for the streaming age. 

Freely will bring live and on demand content together all in one place for free, ensuring that TV remains relevant and accessible to audiences of all ages, the broadcasters said. 

In announcing the new features, Sarah Milton and Carl Pfeiffer, joint chief product officers, Everyone TV said: “It’s clear the way people are watching TV is changing, with more audiences switching over to a broadband only connection. We’ve built Freely around the needs of British audiences, bringing them the freedom to choose how they want to watch, with all their favorite shows from the UK’s leading broadcasters all in one place for free. We’re really proud of what we’re launching with Freely and are excited about bringing major enhancements like the MiniGuide to viewers as Freely launches in Q2 this year.”

The service’s UI includes features which bring the free TV experience into the streaming age. For the first time on a free service, viewers will be able to switch seamlessly between live and on demand TV from the leading UK broadcasters, and take advantage of features such as pause, restart and access to more episodes, without having to pay. Freely TVs can also be placed anywhere in the home where there is a Wi-Fi connection, removing the need for a dish or aerial. 

Other key features include: 

• MiniGuide – A new feature for the free TV experience, this pop-up interface appears each time users switch channels, creating a seamless browsing experience and enabling viewers to easily discover related live or on demand content. Audiences can also take advantage of features such as restart, pause and access to more episodes from live TV. 
• Browse – Viewers will be able to press the Freely button on their remote to explore recommended live and on demand programming from Britain's leading broadcasters and free-to-air channels, all in one place. 
• TV Guide – Bringing simplicity and familiarity, this 7-day guide provides relevant information and is easily recognisable thanks to its consistency across all Freely TVs and one-touch access via the ‘Guide’ button on the remote. Audiences can also discover more episodes and on demand content linked to the live TV shows they are enjoying, all via the TV Guide.

The service also announced that Vestel, the manufacturer behind more than twenty TV brands including Toshiba, Bush, and JVC, has inked a 5-year deal to become an additional smart TV partner to offer Freely. Vestel will have Freely built into its latest set of smart TVs. 

Freely will be running the native guide on Vestel TVs, giving users the best viewing experience possible. By adopting Freely, Vestel offers its customers an unparalleled level of convenience, personalisation, and innovation. Freely will provide a consistent and recognisable user experience across all Freely-enabled TVs in market regardless of how it is accessed. 

“We are thrilled to announce our further partnership and commitment to the latest innovation in television technology, by offering customers TVs that are compatible with Freely," said Atinc Ogut, vice president of tv product management, Vestel. "Freely offers a seamless and intuitive user interface that aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the way people experience television. The collaboration not only enhances the functionality of our TVs but also empowers users to freely stream their favourite shows, live and on demand, all from a single, unified platform. As one of the TV manufactures now compatible with Freely, we’re proud to be setting the standard for the future of television.”

Freely is also working with UKTV to bring the broadcaster's portfolio of free channels to the service via broadband. UKTV is a multi-award-winning media company with channels including Dave, Drama, Yesterday and W.

More details around Freely will be announced in the coming weeks, including additional smart TV, operating system, and content partners, the service reported. 

Everyone TV (formerly Digital UK) is a joint venture owned and supported by the UK's leading public service broadcasters - BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Everyone TV runs the UK’s free-to-view TV platforms–Freeview and Freesat–reaching over 17 million UK households. It is also developing Freely, a new service which will allow viewers to stream the best live and on demand TV for free, all in one place, available in the UK through the next generation of smart TVs.

Britain’s biggest broadcasters have announced that they are working on the development of a new free TV service that will deliver live TV over broadband. 

The broadcasters said that the landmark collaboration will mark the first time that British viewers will have free access to live TV channels and on demand content from the U.K.’s most popular broadcasters streamed straight to their smart TV via the internet.

Set for launch in 2024, the new service, called Freely, will be built-in to the next generation of smart TVs and feature a line-up of public service broadcaster content and other free-to-air channels. It will replicate the terrestrial TV experience, building on the heritage and popularity of the Freeview TV platform, currently used in 16 million homes. 

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

As viewers increasingly consume content online, this next phase for free TV is about the distribution and availability of the public service broadcasters’ live channels for a streaming age. It will help ensure the availability of public service broadcasters (PSB) services into the future and complement the new provisions for on demand and streaming prominence, set out in the draft Media Bill, the broadcasters said. 

"We are delighted to be working with the public service broadcasters on the next phase of free TV’s evolution,” explained Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV. “This new development is a reflection of the fact that a growing number of UK viewers are watching content online, but still want easy access to the shared experience of live TV. Our aim is to ensure that all viewers have access to a free, aggregated live TV experience that champions British content and is delivered in a way that suits audience needs and preferences. Every one of us should be able to share in the best of British ideas and creativity on TV."

"Ensuring the universality of public-service television is sustained into the future is of paramount importance to the UK and all its public service broadcasters,” added director general of the BBC, Tim Davie. “We are delighted to be deepening our collaboration in helping viewers access our content, ensuring that, in a digital age, we deliver value for all audiences and that no one is left behind."

"As more and more UK households use internet-connected TVs, it's critical that the public service broadcaster channels remain available and easy for them to find,” said Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO, ITV. “This new collaboration enables the UK public to continue to get all of their favorite British TV channels, for free - just as Freeview did at the advent of digital TV. Alongside the important reforms set out in the draft Media Bill it will help PSBs to continue to thrive for years to come."

LONDON—British broadcaster Channel 4 has launched its first ever international channels after striking deals with U.S. streaming platforms Tubi, Plex and Xumo Play.

As part of those deals, two channels – 4 Adventure and 4 Emergency – will be available as free ad-supported (FAST) streaming channels in the U.S., offering hundreds of hours of Channel 4 content, alongside other UK programming. 

The broadcaster said it plans to announce deals with other platforms later this year and said that the launches will help diversify its revenue streams. 

Channel 4 said it has partnered with Amagi, Broadcast Intelligence and Gracenote to support the technical delivery of its content on the FAST channels.

“Launching our first ever international channels is a pivotal moment for Channel 4 and opens up a huge range of exciting possibilities,” Channel 4’s head of streaming editorial, UK & International, Alex Wall said. “These channels will introduce U.S. audiences to popular shows that embody our core brand values, bringing Channel 4’s unique tone of voice and our rich British culture to the U.S. FAST market. It also provides a great opportunity to further diversify our revenue streams, and with more deals in the pipeline, we’re really excited about this new chapter for Channel 4.”

4 Adventure will feature a range of reality and documentary programs centered around survival challenges and endurance such as Shipwrecked and The Island With Bear Grylls.

4 Emergency will give U.S. viewers a unique insight into the frontline of British health and emergency response systems featuring programs such as 24 Hours In A&E, Emergency Helicopter Medics, Emergency Rescue: Air, Land & Sea and Paramedics: On The Frontline (999: On The Frontline in the UK).

“Thanks to Channel 4’s agile operating model, we’re able to explore the potential returns and other opportunities in this fast-growing market,” Wall added. 

“With nearly 250 channels, our FAST offering provides our viewers with a lean-back, drop-in experience, allowing them to dive deep into their obsessions - from reality, to documentaries, to action and beyond," said Sam Harowitz, vice president of content acquisitions, Tubi. "We're thrilled to partner with Channel 4 to bring their beloved British programming to our platform, which we're certain will entertain and captivate our audiences."

“We’re excited for the Channel 4 partnership as they launch their first ever international channels on Plex,” adds Shawn Eldridge, vice president of business development and content at Plex. “With the addition of the Channel 4 depth and breadth of premium content like 4 Adventure and 4 Emergency, we’re continuing to fill out the most diverse and entertaining selection of FAST channels anywhere.”

“The launch of Channel 4 on Xumo Play enhances our international offerings, and brings uniquely British content to millions of viewers on our industry leading FAST service,” said Anthony Layser, executive director, content acquisition and programming strategy at Xumo.  “Channel 4 offers a highly entertaining cultural twist with lifestyle content from reality shows and documentaries to action and drama that is certain to resonate with U.S. audiences.”

LONDON—Prime Focus Technologies is opening the doors to a new hybrid-cloud media center in Leeds, U.K., which will serve as the new national headquarters for Channel 4. Using the CLEAR Media ERP platform, the new facility will help manage Channel 4’s media processing and centralized content operations, including live simulcast and VOD services.

PFT and Channel 4 agreed to develop a new facility in 2019 and spent 2020 building it, including constructing it in line with social distancing norms and U.K. government guidelines for Covid-19.

The facility houses infrastructure for end-to-end supply chain management through SLA-driven media processing services powered by cloud-based workflows running on CLEAR.

The end-to-end content supply chain services offered include QC services; editing and remastering services; archive services; compliance and global re-versioning services; digital distribution services; and access to PFT’s Global Media Services pipeline, which includes localization services, re-mastering services and creative services.

The Leeds facility is now open and will employ more than 70 professionals, per PFT.

LONDON—Short-form content is growing in popularity among viewers and content producers, including broadcasters. Ampere Analysis indicates that the U.K.’s BBC and Channel 4 are two of the first major international broadcasters to hop on the short-form bandwagon.

Per a recent report from Ampere Analysis, short-form series make up 9% of all video-on-demand series globally; in addition, 11% of upcoming VoD commissions are short-form. Platforms like Snapchat, Facebook Watch and Quibi are the leading providers of short-form content, but broadcasters are starting to dip their toes into the format, led by the aforementioned BBC and Channel 4.

Specifically, Ampere reports that Channel 4 plans to spend £1 million on new short-form content, most notably in its comedy series. The BBC is also investing in short-form comedy content. The plan will be distribute these series via iPlayer.

Outside of major broadcasters, Ampere found that comedy, reality, news and entertainment were the most popular content for short-form content. Facebook is currently the most popular, but new services like Quibi are quickly on the rise. Also, Asia is the predominant market for short-form content, with 31% of all existing short-form originals coming from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong or China.

“Short-form content is growing strongly, and we expect to see it boom—both in English speaking markets and Asia where it’s well-established,” said Olivia Deane, an analyst at Ampere. “Attractive to large and small players alike, short-form offers the opportunity to experiment with high production values at a smaller scale. SVoD newcomer Quibi, only producing short-form content, is already the largest commissioner of bite-size television. Quibi, along with other smaller niche platforms, has an exciting opportunity to chase the existing audiences of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. This is a market the mainstream broadcasters don’t want to miss out on, and both Channel 4 and the BBC are making forays into the world of short-form shows.”

For more information, visit www.ampereanalysis.com.

LONDON—Channel 4 has inked an agreement with Prime Focus Technologies for its Clear Media ERP software, which PFT will use to manage the public service broadcaster’s media processing and centralize its content operations, the company said this week.

“We are delighted to be forming this new partnership with PFT, a company which shares Channel 4’s innovative spirit,” said Keith Underwood, COO, Channel 4. “PFT has proven experience of managing content operations for major international broadcasters, and we look forward to working with them to establish their new U.K. base.”

Prime Focus Technologies will manage:

• Media processing, including ingest, content remediation, media management, content aggregation and quality assurance; and
• Online services, including digital rights management (DRM), VOD transcoding, packaging and delivery, simulcast and live to VOD.

Under the agreement, PFT is tasked with providing all content for Channel 4’s online presence on its own AII4 platform and third-party platforms, the company said.

PFT’s CLEAR software combines MAM capabilities with work order management. The software will allow Channel 4 to manage media operations, including those related to assets, resources, tasks and workflows, the company said.

The software’s framework will improve internal collaboration as well as those with external stakeholders, such as Channel 4’s Access services and Playout partners.

PFT is also launching a media center in the U.K. to act as a centralized content hub for Channel 4.

See Prime Focus Technologies at IBC 2019 stand 7.C05.

More information is available on the company’s website.