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Freely is celebrating its release in the UK with a new advert campaign and a chance to win several Hisense TVs.
For those who don't know, Freely is a brand-new TV platform from the team behind Freeview and Freesat that lets you watch live free-to-air channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and more over a Wi-Fi connection. With no aerial, you'll be able to place Freely-equipped TVs anywhere in your home, provided there's a decent internet connection.
Hisense is the first TV manufacturer to embrace Freely as the dedicated Smart TV platform for its complete 2024 line-up of 4K TVs
FREELY PRESS OFFICE | HISENSE
On-demand services are deeply integrated into the TV platform, letting you restart a show with a single button on your remote if you've tuned in late and missed the beginning. This is one of a number of Sky Glass features baked into the Freeview successor.
To highlight how all you need is Wi-Fi to access the service, Freely has aired a new TV advert featuring viewers watching TV in unexpected Wi-Fi enabled places. There’s a couple curled up watching Doctor Who (BBC) whilst in the back of a black cab, a man getting a bit too into The Great British Bake Off (Channel 4) in a restaurant, and a woman becoming engrossed by Michael Palin in Nigeria (Channel 5) in the aisles of a supermarket. The ad then finishes with a family enjoying TV the right way, sat together on the sofa, in front of The 1% Club (ITV).
Freely isn't a software upgrade for existing Freeview TVs or set-top boxes. Instead, you'll need to upgrade to something new built from the ground-up to support Freely.
Hisense is the first telly manufacturer out of the gates with Freely-compatible TVs, with rival Vestel set to follow in the coming weeks. Hisense has equipped all of its 2024 4K TVs with the new TV platform. Freely has launched a giveaway with these models that's open to anyone.
To win, all you'll need to do is spot a black cab covered in Freely-branded colours and logos. The promotion taxi has already visited London (Monday 20th May), Birmingham (Tuesday 21st May), and will be in Manchester (Wednesday 22nd May).
If you want a chance to win, either hail the cab and watch the new TV advert for Freely (the company says free snacks and drinks will be provided in the backseat) or, if the taxi is occupied or on the move, scan the QR code on the side of the vehicle.
Better still, anyone who has purchased one of the new Hisense 4K TVs equipped with Freely and registers for the two-year warranty will be entered into a prize draw to receive a full refund for their TV. Freely and Hisense will refund 1,000 TVs from early adopters.
Freely offers quick access to previously-aired episodes of a show, without the need to launch a specific app from the main menu FREELY PRESS OFFICE | GBN Speaking about the new promotions, Everyone TV Marketing Director Amy Rowcliffe said: "The way people are watching TV is changing, so we’re thrilled to get Freely out to the UK.
"Being able to watch live and on-demand TV, all in one place, will be amazing for viewers fed up with hopping from app to app to find something they want to watch. As content from the free broadcasters continues to hit new heights – the fact it can be accessed by simply pressing the Freely button on your remote is a huge leap towards securing the future of free TV. We’re hugely proud of this, and are excited to get Freely out on the road, figuratively and literally, through our new advertising campaign and UK taxi tour!"
As long as you're covered with a valid TV Licence, everything on Freely brings together live and on-demand content in one place for free. The launch of this broadband-powered platform comes as research reveals half of UK homes will watch TV exclusively over Wi-Fi by 2030.
