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 mystery of why the entire village of Aberhosan in Wales, U.K., would lose its broadband connection every morning at 7 a.m. for 18 months has been solved. According to reports from the BBC, the culprit is an old TV set.

After cable replacements proved ineffective in solving the problem, technicians used a spectrum analyzer monitoring device to identify the source of the interference, leading them to an unnamed resident who would turn on their TV at 7 a.m. each morning. The resident reportedly was embarrassed and unaware that the TV set was the source of the problem.

“We’d just advise the public to make sure that their electric appliances are properly certified and meet current British standards,” said Suzanne Rutherford, Openreach engineering lead in Wales.

The full story is available from BBC.

LONDON—U.K. broadcasters have published a document outlining industry guidelines for TV production to resume following the coronavirus shutdown.

ITV, BBC, Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV, ITN, the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) and Pact have joined forces on the document.

It covers all aspects of TV, and is complementary to the forthcoming British Film Commission guidance on managing the risks associated with film and high-end TV drama production.

The broadcasters state the number one priority remains the safety and well-being of production teams and those who work with them. It has taken into account the current government guidelines on the safe return to work, but is expected to evolve over the coming months as the lockdown is eased.

In summary, the guidance details six areas that producers, in conjunction with the commissioning broadcaster, must consider when planning to produce during COVID-19. They are:

• Specifically consider people at higher risk of harm
• Heighten precautions for everyone at work
• Reduce the number of people involved
• Consider editorial "on camera" requirements
• Consider mental health and well-being
• Feedback loop

It also sets out suggested controls for producers to consider, including the physical capacity of the space given the requirements of social distancing along with the provision of key hygiene facilities; good hygiene and managing potential issues with work equipment touchpoints should be addressed; and the use of PPE equipment should only be used as “a last resort.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Great British television is keeping us company throughout the crisis, and I’m keen to get cameras rolling as soon as it is safe. Our creative industries are Britain’s global calling card and this is a significant step forward in getting our favorite shows back into production.”

The full document can be downloaded here.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication TVBEurope.

BERLIN—Roku is coming to Europe with its Roku TV licensing program with the expected Q4 launch of Hisense Roku TV models in the U.K., said Roku CEO Anthony Wood during the ongoing IFA 2019 convention in Berlin.

The Hisense Roku TV models, being shown this week at the technology gathering, offer an intuitive operating system, thousands of streaming channels, 4K UHD resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR).

“While consumers love Roku TV’s simplicity and advanced features, TV manufacturers benefit from the low cost of manufacturing, a variety of technology options and support from Roku,” said Wood.

Roku licenses Roku TV reference designs based on Roku OS to television manufacturers to use in their smart TVs.

“The ability to quickly bring to market a leading smart TV experience that is regularly updated by Roku and is packed with entertainment gives TV manufacturers an edge in the competitive TV business,” he added.

Television manufacturers receive the Roku TV reference platform with TV and remote control designs. Roku also provides technical support to TV manufacturers. Roku also manages the software ecosystem for all Roku TVs. This includes updating streaming channels and software.

Manufacturers interested in the Roku Licensing Program can request more information by emailing rokutv@roku.com.

LONDON—Brexit is already having an impact on TV advertising in the U.K., according to a new report from Enders Analysis.

The company predicted British TV advertising spend would fall 5% year-on-year during 2019 due to the prospect of Brexit on Oct. 31, with companies cutting back on marketing budgets and shifting their money into other forms of media.

Enders said the revision of its forecast is for the second half of 2019 and mostly for Q4; it has been brought about by the prospect of the “U.K.’s cliff-edge Brexit on Oct. 31, without an agreement and transition period of continued free trade to the next trading regime with the EU,” said the report.

It also said TV market sources have reported “exceptional volatility and nervousness about Q4, and the difficulties of estimating Q4 spends.”

The report continues that a no-deal Brexit will impede the supply of goods to retailers, and notes that the U.K. consumer spends the most on retail in Europe, mostly imported from the EU (fresh food, clothing). This factor alone will damage TV advertising, said Enders, which may also be in structural decline due to the switch to direct response media.

Enders also noted that TV set viewing has continued to fall in the first seven months of 2019, with linear commercial TV viewing declining 4.3% year-on-year, continuing to be impacted by the rise of BVoD, SVoD and YouTube—though still averaging just under 2 hours 20 minutes per day.

LONDON—Ofcom’s latest Media Nations report has found that 38% of viewers who watch content online say they “can’t imagine watching broadcast TV in five years time.”

The figure is among a number of key findings in the report, which looks at the state of U.K. TV viewing in 2019.

The report also found around half of U.K. homes now subscribe to a streaming service.

The number of viewers signed up to the most popular platforms—Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV—increased from 11.2 million in 2018 to 13.3 million in 2019.

Ofcom also found that while traditional viewing still amounts for 69% of TV watching time, that figure is rapidly declining. U.K. viewers are currently watching on average 3 hours and 12 minutes of traditional TV a day, 11 minutes less than 2018 and 50 minutes less than in 2010.

Daily viewing of streaming services increased by seven minutes in 2018, to 26 minutes, while viewing of YouTube increased by six minutes, to 34 minutes. For the first time, young people now spend more than an hour on YouTube every day (64 minutes, up from 59 minutes).

Two in five U.K. adults now consider online video services to be their main way of watching TV and film.

The report is available to read on Ofcom’s website.

LONDON—The use of videotape for file delivery is now officially part of the past in the U.K. As of Oct. 1, U.K. broadcasters would no longer accept delivery on videotape said Mark Harrison, Digital Production Partnership managing director. To help with the new procedures, DPP has released an updated version of “A Producer’s Guide to File Delivery.”

“It’s the natural next step three years after the DPP initiated its AS-11 file delivery specification,” said Harrison in regards to the stopping of videotape delivery. “The latest version of our guide helps producers deliver their programs in a world without videotape. It also offers guidance on emerging specifications and formats that will impact them.”

The updated guide incorporates the DPP’s “Delivering Close to TX—Without Tape: What U.K. Producers Need to Know,” and provides insights into things like UHD.

The guide was enabled by DPP member Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. It is available for download here.

STAMFORD, CONN.—DirecTV, a division of AT&T, will offer its first live U.S. telecast of the Premier League in 4K, Jan. 21-22. This marks the first time the league is being broadcast in 4K in the states and the first of what is expected to be a series of selected matches in the UHD format throughout the rest of the 2016-2017 season. The matches will feature Manchester City vs. Tottenham at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 21 and Arsenal vs. Burnley at 9:15 a.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 22.

NBC Sports had previously presented coverage of Notre Dame Football and the Rio Olympic Games in 4K UHD on DirecTV. The games will also be available to DIRECTV customers in standard and high-definition on their local NBC stations and on NBCSN.

“We’re excited to continue our commitment to provide fans with unprecedented coverage of the Premier League by offering matches in 4K this season on DIRECTV,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN.

Viewers will need DirecTV’s SELECT Package or higher, plus a Genie HD DVR (model HR54 or later) and DirecTV 4K Ready TV, or a 4K TV connected to a 4K Genie Mini to access the 4K programming.