Freely has announced the launch of 16 new channels including ITV’s The Chase, 4Homes, 4Life, 4Reality, 5 History, and Milkshake!
The streaming platform, backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5, has also confirmed the addition of FAST channels from VIDAA that will be integrated into its TV Guide on Hisense and Toshiba TVs.
ITV will launch two of its streamed channels, The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night, which are also available through ITVX.
Akhila Khanna, ITV Director of Distribution said: “At ITV we’re proud to be part of Freely and making these channels available to the Freely TV Guide reinforces our commitment to delivering fantastic, free content through this innovative platform and showcases our continued collaboration with other leading UK broadcasters.”
Channel 4’s three new channels will launch exclusively via Freely. 4Reality will showcase the best Channel 4 reality programming such as Married at First Sight; 4Homes provides access to Channel 4’s extensive line-up of homes content across renovation, interior design and new property spanning shows such as Grand Designs; 4Life meanwhile, will feature programmes showcasing the great content Channel 4 viewers love best, including travel, food and animals, such as The Dog House.
Grace Boswood, Director of Technology & Distribution, Channel 4, said: “The launch of new streamed channels further accelerates our transformation into the streaming age and will help keep our trusted, brand safe content free for everyone. As the only place to access our new channels at launch, Freely continues to represent brilliant collaboration by public service media.”
Eleven of 5’s recently launched FAST channels, including 5 Police Interceptors, 5 Cops and 5 A&E, join Freely. Five of the channels will be exclusively available on Freely and the 5 streaming service – 5 GPs Behind Closed Doors, 5 The Yorkshire Vet, 5 History, 5 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, and Milkshake!.
Over 80 channels have been introduced by VIDAA to the Freely TV Guide from channel number 1001, such as Sony ONE, CNN, Sky, Banijay, and others. Integrating FAST channels from VIDAA for Hisense and Toshiba smart TV users.
Viewers can access the new channels via smart TVs with Freely included, available to purchase from a number of manufacturers including Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp, TCL, Amazon Fire TVs and METZ.
With the new streams, Freely will offer more than 55 live channels over Wi-Fi, alongside 70,000+ hours of on demand content, more than that provided by any streaming service in the UK. More channels are expected to join the line-up as the service continues to grow.
Since launch, Freely has increased reach through partnering with almost half of the UK TV manufacturer market, and announced deals with content partners including UKTV, AMC Networks International and PBS America, with more to come this year.
