More streaming devices are now certified to work with Freely, as the free TV platform opens up to hardware without digital terrestrial TV (DTT) tuners, removing the need for hybrid mode.
Netgem’s PLEIO puck was the first such device to reach the market. TiVo has now confirmed that its media platform has achieved Freely certification from Everyone TV, the platform’s owner and operator, for streaming-only devices.
This certification applies to a newly defined category of streaming media hardware that does not require an integrated screen or DTT tuner. It builds on TiVo OS’s earlier approval for smart TVs.
The move paves the way for a wider range of consumer and operator devices capable of delivering Freely’s live TV and on-demand services, alongside TiVo’s award-winning, content-first interface and access to major global streaming platforms.
Industry data suggests that one in three households will be streaming-only by the end of this year, rising to one in two homes within five years. By definition, these households have no need for hybrid-mode devices.
Explainer: Hybrid mode and DTT tuners
Hybrid mode is the term Freely uses to describe using both an aerial and an internet connection to receive the full range of services in a given location. To enable this, Freely TVs have a digital terrestrial television (DTT) tuner built in, just like a Freeview device.
When Freely launched, only a small number of channels were streamed to viewers. To access the full set of free-to-air channels, viewers had to top-up missing channels with an aerial. Now, however, more channels are available as streams, and an aerial is only required for a limited number of services. As a result, hybrid mode is becoming less relevant.
Nevertheless, in the event of an internet outage, hybrid mode allows viewers to continue watching channels via their aerial.
Current downsides of no hybrid mode
- Channels that haven’t yet signed up to become part of Freely’s streaming-based service will not be available. In hybrid mode, you can receive missing channels via an aerial.
- Hybrid streaming services, including numerous international channels aren’t available. Many of these services wouldn’t be able to join Freely as they don’t have a broadcast licence that’s recognised in the UK. However, they may still be available via separate apps, depending on which apps are supported on a no hybrid mode device.
- If your broadband internet connection fails, there’s no back-up option.
- Some no hybrid mode devices don’t have an ethernet connection. So if you’re using a device where wi-fi signals are subject to greater levels interference, you don’t have the back-up option to use a hard-wired connection for reliability.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Everyone TV