Insight
December 3, 2024
The streaming landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and at the beginning of February 2024 another milestone was achieved with the announcement of Freely, marking a new era for free-to-air television in the UK. Fast forward a few months, and Freely has been steadily gaining momentum, accelerating digital transformation in the UK for broadcasters and viewers alike.
The Freely journey so far...
Since Freely's launch, the platform has been making waves in the UK’s TV landscape with a promising trajectory. It took only 7 months for the platform to accumulate 70,000 hours' worth of high quality streaming content since launching, more than any UK SVOD. Moreover, the Freely platform already features 96% of the UK’s favorite TV shows* which showcases the platform’s appeal to British audiences, plus its ability to deliver beloved programming across the nation.
In June, Freely announced that Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp and Metz had joined the line-up of Smart TV brands to carry the platform, building on partnerships already established with Hisense, Bush and TCL. These collaborations mean that a vast proportion of the TVs sold across the Britain now come with Freely built-in, providing greater accessibility and seamless live and on-demand free-to-air TV experiences to more households across the UK. Another early milestone that shows all the signs that Freely is set to become a key player in the UK TV market.
Adding to this momentum, in October Freely secured a key distribution deal with Amazon, making the platform accessible on Fire TV devices. This partnership significantly expands Freely's reach, allowing even more viewers to enjoy its diverse lineup of channels and further solidifying its position in the streaming market. With less than a year since its launch (at the time of writing), it’s safe to say that the Freely journey is off to a good start.
Should I launch a channel on Freely, even if I already have a FAST channel?
This is a valid question, and many content providers, particularly broadcasters, are asking themselves, “What are the benefits of launching a Freely channel if I already have a FAST channel?” Freely offers broadcasters a significant upgrade by opening doors to opportunities that traditional FAST channels often can't match.
The main differentiator is that Freely is not just another streaming platform. Infact, it’s an evolved version of Freeview (which historically amassed 16 million UK households) and it’s designed specifically for UK audiences. But beyond this, here are 3 top reasons why launching a Freely channel is a game-changer specifically:
- Freely allows you to cast a wider net. It helps you reach those savvy viewers who are ditching subscriptions and pay-tv for good. It’s your golden ticket to grabbing a whole new audience, and more eyeballs, especially as the UK’s inflation rate set to increase in 2025.
- Freely can help maximise ad revenue. With Freely’s smart ad tech, your content doesn’t just shine — it earns. Think tailored ads that actually hit the mark, driving up your ad revenue effortlessly.
- Freely is the evolution of free-to-air television in the UK. Already available on millions of newly purchased smart TVs, Freely’s growing accessibility ensures your channel can reach a broader audience, putting your content front and center where viewers will be actively tuning in for years to come.
In summary...
Freely isn’t just another streaming platform — it’s the platform that puts your channel in the fast lane to more viewers, more revenue through better-placed ads, and more control over setting up your streaming strategy. With Freely, you’re not just reaching a broader audience; you’re also optimising your content and monetisation with advanced tools that improve ad targeting and performance. Plus, with seamless integration across multiple devices, Freely ensures a flawless experience for your viewers, helping you stay ahead in today’s competitive streaming landscape.
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