Sky Q has dominated the TV market in the UK for over a decade, remaining a popular choice due to its extensive recording capabilities. However, a new competitor may soon challenge its position by offering similar features without any subscription fees.
Freely, integrated into many new televisions, allows users to access live and on-demand content without requiring an aerial, as content is streamed via the internet directly to the screen.
Initially available only through purchasing a new TV, Freely is set to launch a dedicated set-top box that can be connected to existing televisions. This new device, manufactured by Humax, not only provides access to free TV but also offers recording functionalities akin to Sky Q, supporting 4K resolution for superior picture quality.
While the price for the Freely box may start at less than £250, making it relatively costly, users benefit from no additional charges for accessing all Freely content. Although the exact release date for the new Freely boxes remains undisclosed, they are expected to hit stores soon.
Although similar to Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q in features, Freely falls short in content variety compared to Sky’s premium offerings such as sports, movies, and box sets from channels like Sky Atlantic or Sky Max, and does not support external services like Netflix within its platform.
For access to premium content, users would need to subscribe to one of Sky’s plans, which now start from just £15 per month and may include Netflix in the package.