Freely users will shortly no longer require an aerial to view channels including U&Dave, U&Drama and U&Yesterday.
- First major addition to Freely streaming line-up since the platform’s launch in April.
- Access to the channels in better quality.
- Channels to be added in next Freely update this month.
Freely, which replaces Freeview on a growing number of smart TVs, will add four UKTV Freeview channels, plus on-demand service U during its next monthly update this month.
The announcement means viewers who only use a wi-fi or ethernet connection will gain access to U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W and U&Yesterday.
And for those Freely users who have their TV plugged into a TV aerial to receive a wider range of channels, your TV will automatically switch to the internet-delivered version of the channels from later this month. At this point, the digital terrestrial TV signal will only be used as a fall-back if your internet connection goes down.
Better picture quality
With the change from terrestrial to IP delivery, they’ll be an improvement in picture quality. At the moment, UKTV broadcasts with a picutre resolution of 544×576. The Freely stream will technically be capable of a higher resolution, with rumours that full HD delivery is on its way. Ultimately, picture quality is subject to internet connection speeds.
In addition to the linear TV channels, on-demand service U, previously known as UKTV Play, will also be added to the apps supported by Freely.
Context
Freely is being built into a growing number of smart TVs. The idea is that as more viewers take up Freely, the more it will be worth it for channels to join Freely’s streaming line-up. And as more channels join the streaming element of Freely, more viewers still using an aerial will be seamlessly switched to internet delivery.
That will make the job of switching-off current digital terrestrial TV signals easier.
Broadcasters expect the current method of distributing services via what is known as DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial) will become untenable in the 2030s. However, that situation will – ironically – be partly due to Freely causing fewer viewers to rely on the terrestrial signal.
Corporate comment
Jonathan Newman, General Manager, Commercial, UKTV, said:
“We’re delighted that our free streaming service U and portfolio of free-to-air channels, recently united under the U Masterbrand, are joining the Freely line-up. It further supports our audience-led strategy, ensuring our viewers can easily access UKTV’s content in a digital world*.”
*Since digital switchover completed in 2012, all TV is via digital platforms. However, within aspects of the TV industry the definition of ‘digital’ has shifted to mean TV services delivered ‘online’.
UKTV is owned by BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC. The BBC is one of the main financial backers of Freely through its share of Everyone TV, the organisation responsible for managing free-to-air TV in the UK.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: UKTV