Streaming platform Freely is celebrating its first year with half a million weekly users.
Backed by the UK’s public service broadcasters, Freely has released a report from Oliver & Ohlbaum that projects it to be the biggest TV device platform in the UK within next 5 years. Current leader Freeview is available in over 16 million homes and is the main TV platform in more than 10 million households.
The data also reveals that highest adoption of the platform is among the young, with the largest proportion of users aged 16-34 years.
The free streaming platform, already integrated into new smart TVs and ‘plug-in and stream’ devices coming later this year, brings together live and on demand shows from the UK’s biggest broadcasters, without the need for a dish, aerial or monthly subscription.
Nearly 8 in 10 people say they want Freely on their next TV. A third of UK households are projected to be watching TV over the internet-only by the end of this year, and Freely delivers a familiar and easy way for these audiences to stream the best of British content all in one place. Over two-thirds of Freely users are already watching the platform solely over an internet connection, with the remaining third choosing to watch via a hybrid Wi-Fi and aerial set-up.
“With the majority of our users streaming-only, it shows that Freely is accomplishing what we set out to do – provide an easy and simple way for audiences to enjoy their favourite free TV shows all in one place as viewing habits shift. It has been great to see young audiences embracing Freely, with a way for them to easily stream their favourite shows from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and more,” said Jonathan Thompson, CEO at Everyone TV.
Freely is integrated into the latest smart TVs with models available from a large range of manufacturers including Hisense, Bush, JVC and more. Plus, Freely’s first ‘plug-in and stream’ device will come to market later this year. The new simple and affordable plug-in puck will enable Freely to run on televisions that do not have the platform built-in.
