France 24 has launched its English-language news service on Freely, extending the international news broadcaster’s reach into the PSB-run IP-delivered television ecosystem.
The service is now available on Freely channel 306 following the deployment by Global Distribution Services (GDS).
France 24 already operates on Freeview channel 255 and distributes four live feeds in English, French, Spanish and Arabic across the UK.
The move gives France 24 distribution across both digital terrestrial television and connected TV environments as broadcasters increasingly prepare for a future beyond traditional broadcast delivery.
The launch has been enabled using Synapse TV technology and provides France 24 with a managed migration path from Freeview to Freely.
Tanya Kronfli, CEO of Global Distribution Services, said: “France 24 has already established a strong presence on Freeview, and expanding onto Freely is a natural next step as UK television continues its transition toward IP delivery.”
“At GDS, our focus is on helping broadcasters maximise reach across both traditional and next-generation TV environments through commercially sustainable distribution models.”
Serge Schick, Director of International Development and Commercial Resources at France 24, added: “The UK remains an important market for France 24, and expanding onto Freely allows us to further strengthen our reach among connected audiences while building on our established Freeview presence.”
The launch is another boost for Freely, the IP television platform developed by the UK public broadcasters through Everyone TV.
Freely combines live and on-demand television over broadband and is widely seen as a key part of preparations for any eventual transition away from DTT services.
The France 24 launch also highlights growing interest from international broadcasters in hybrid distribution strategies.
France 24’s existing Freeview operation already combines DTT scale with IP advertising capabilities, while Freely offers access to connected audiences without requiring standalone apps.
The move comes as UK policymakers continue discussions over the future of terrestrial television beyond the current 2034 framework, with broadcasters increasingly building parallel IP distribution strategies.
