Sky Q has dominated the market for more than a decade, maintaining its status as one of the most favored TV devices in the UK. Its extensive recording capabilities have been a key factor in its enduring popularity. However, a potential competitor on the horizon may soon offer similar features without requiring any subscription fees.
Freely, which comes integrated into many new televisions, enables households to access live and on-demand content without the need for an aerial. The content is delivered to the screen via the internet.
Initially, accessing Freely required purchasing a new TV, but that is set to change, posing a significant challenge to Sky Q.
The developers of Freely, also responsible for Freeview, have revealed plans to introduce a dedicated set-top box that can be connected to any existing TV. The first glimpse of one of these Freely devices, produced by Humax, has been uncovered online.
In addition to providing free access to television programming, the Freely set-top box allows users to record shows, akin to Sky Q. Furthermore, it is equipped to deliver content in 4K resolution, offering superior visual quality compared to standard HD.
The price of the Freely box may start from under £250, making it a relatively expensive investment initially. Nevertheless, once purchased, users can enjoy all Freely content without any additional costs.
While an exact release date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, they are expected to hit stores soon.
The online listing for the Freely box has been removed, suggesting a possible premature posting. Any updates on this development will be shared promptly.
In an earlier statement this year, Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, emphasized the goal of making free TV accessible to all through the Freely platform. Expanding to plug-in and stream devices aims to broaden the reach of the Freely experience without necessitating a TV upgrade or subscription fee.
Despite offering comparable features to Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q, Freely falls short in terms of content variety. Notably, it lacks access to premium sports, movies, or box sets from channels like Sky Atlantic or Sky Max. Additionally, it does not support streaming services such as Netflix within the platform.
For access to such premium content, opting for one of Sky’s subscription plans is necessary, starting from as low as £15 per month, often inclusive of Netflix.
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