FREELY IS HERE! | The Launch & First Impressions 

I don't want to watch TV on a mobile phone

@@anthonyperkins7556how about a tablet or on a big screen television with good internet but poor tv reception

@@anthonyperkins7556 An app or a program for a desk top computer. It does not have to be a mobile phone or tablet.

@@anthonyperkins7556 they mean a TV App, of one for the many streaming devices already on the market.

@@anthonyperkins7556 You add the app to the TV lol

Not a chance I would fork out for replacement equipment even if they turned off the transmitters today. We need to be moving away from the disposable market. TV's used to last at least 4 - 5 years, and many a lot longer. Now the idea seems to be moving towards the mobile phone model where you are expected to buy the latest thing at least once a year. I will never purchase a TV based on "smart" functions, when they rapidly become obsolete within a few years.

Within 5years there will be no more satellite dishes or TV aerials. Best bet would be to start retraining now. Don't be "Blockbuster"

@@harwoods11 They will still have a place going forward. I have even had customers have a sky dish reinstalled as they can't use sky glass properly with their broadband connection. When it comes to area broadband outages, people would be left with no TV whatsoever. I had a job where a BT pole had been knocked down after a truck ploughed into it. Again a streaming only customer had nothing for a week until I installed an aerial for them. Foreign satellite TV will not be affected whatsoever. I think the fear of nothing will keep aerials and dishes running for way longer than 5 years. Like I say, there will be a gradual shift in job type for me. It won't be going dark in 5 years like someone hitting a switch. The reduction of TV aerials & dishes will go hand in hand with the increase of broadband resilience. I do also have plenty of other services that will carry me to retirement, and others that I can introduce if need be.

The TV of a neighbour was getting poor signal and missing channels. The dropping of standard BBC channels for HD on satellite meant retuning but these came and went. It took some effort to get them to call out an aerial installer to check the dish and position. He suggested that instead of replacing the LNB to install a Freeview aerial. He used part of the satellite dish cable and chopped off the connectors and retuned to Freeview. So only 7 HD channels, not ITV2,3,4. I don't know why this was chosen and not simply fixing the existing dish. My neighbour did not understand the difference or distinction and was already stressed out by the changes the BBC made and not being able to find her regional programmes. I thought it pointless complaining or making more fuss if Freely removes all channels from Freeview and Freesat in a few months. Most people do not know that Freesat is an option. They know Sky (pay for the service), Cable/Virgin and TV aerial (Freeview).. Even with the press and notices they will have no idea about Freely. If Freely is only available on 2024 released TVs with smart interface and the Freely app or yet another desktop box they are not going to know about it until they are told there are no channels on Freeview when it is shut down.

@@michaelmcdonald2348 In 2024 we are seeing BBC closing standard TV regional programmes needing to retune to get them on the HD version but you need a TV that can receive the HD signals. My 1080p 49" screen does not and has no smart feature interface with apps. I have been using a computer to get iPlayer and an HD PCI card to get live broadcasts to record for later viewing of channels not on free streaming services of their own. Many devices now come with a mobile phone app. One less remote needed but some require a current, recent and still under service updates of the Android or iOS. This means a phone under 4 years old. Not everyone is on a contract with a new phone every three years. Forced to get a new phone to continue to use the device is not a free update. When the device is no longer getting updates soon you can't use it as the newer phone can't install the old app, if that is, you can still find the older app to install. It used to be that an old computer (tablet device) would continue to do what it did just with no bug fixes or new features. Now perfectly good equipment needs interest based services and the app, program and internal software all have to have updates. Portable, battery powered devices have sealed in batteries. So after 500 to 1000 recharges you can not replace the battery and have to buy a new device. That means razors, toothbrush, mobile phone, tablet, laptop, watches and even torches. Being rechargeable the cost of these devices has also risen. The electronic waste problems becomes even worse. Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 and Windows 12 isn't far off launch. Whilst 10 years seems a reasonable time to change the operating system they are now forcing people to also buy new hardware for "security" feature. Not only is Windows 11 and 12 only able to run on certain newer processors and motherboards they are updating Windows 10 to fail to run on computers with "unsupported" processors. Computers, laptops, tables, mobiles phones have been more than good enough for most people's use for many years which is too long for the manufacturers who now look to software to brick older equipment not just that updates don't work older apps can not be loaded onto a new phone/computer and you have to buy everything new.

you can buy 8K TVs now if you have money to burn and 80-90% of Free to air services are still in 576p SD, British TV is a laughing stock

​@@BronyumHexoflorideIf I had my way Freeview would go all DVB-T2 and DVB-UHD standard and I'd throw out this Freely nonsense.

@@BronyumHexofloride majority of TV worth watching was made in the SD era. Most of the non public service channels that broadcast SD show older shows or garbage. All the main services are available in HD where I live.

Freely is the first step to delivering a high quality viewing experience. Broadcasting over the air or satellite is expensive and the airwaves are limited or better used for 6G so this offers an easier way to get better quality TV channels without disruption to the millions of existing TVs “No more retunes” Once DVB-I gets out of trials and gets adopted there will be a shift in the industry. Meta Data may still be sent OTA for satellite services as it’s a great way to secure subscriptions until Ci+ USB is adopted. The ISP’s won’t lose out as Targeted advertising will be adopted and revenue shares will be available and ISPs will launch services to the giant panel that used to be called a TV. Freely is an Operator Ap its truly Leading edge technology it can be updated seamlessly, so lots of possibilities. You can also “uninstall it” if you want to use satellite no problem and just relaunch the App in a few seconds. But for most people being able to have a Tv that doesn’t need a Co-Axial cable in the UK has taken 91 years…

S4C isn't even the Welsh C4 replacement that it used to be. As far as I'm aware it doesn't carry C4 programming any more.

Not too 'freely' available is it 😆

I think it's a way for the bbc to catch you out to get the licence fee revenue ! You use their bbc/iplayer !

That's the corporations for you as always. Working hard to create products that the public don't want. It's like paying subscriptions to car manufacturers to access features of modern EVs that in old fossil fuel cars would be paid for once at purchase as optional extras. I've almost got enough in the way of DVDs and Blu-rays at this point to just disconnect my TVs and never watch any broadcasts again, enough CDs to disconnect all those Internet Radios.

What you talking about, its called "Progress" Everything is going to be through broadband, I think its a great idea​@@jitmancanth6698

What a fvking disappointment! They didn't say in the early press releases you'll basically only be able to get it if you buy one of our sh1t tellys!

In theory, on Freeview Play TV, they should be able to load an app for Freely support, but they won't do it as the manufacturers want to sell new TVs.

And Hisense would not be on my shopping list anyway.

Spock: can I speak Freely Captain. Kirk: is this a double entendres? Spock: no that’s illogical Me: LMAO

Obviously not but I don't think many will even factor it in to a purchase decision

Like me, perfect LG 49" 1080p TV yea it's 10 years old ish, yea it dosn't have all the apps but it does have freview, has some streaming, has some apps, does media share. I won't be mitered on spending another 3-500 quid on a new TV when mine works perfectly fine, no dead pixels, no bad picture.

I mean why waste the HDMI port?

⁠​⁠@@Meowwentthedinoim in the same boat, I’ve got an 11 year old 1080p Samsung Plasma TV, works perfectly fine and I am not prepared to get rid of it and spend hundreds that I don’t have on a whole new TV. This is gonna be a complete failure if they do not release an accessory like a set top box or HDMI stick for this thing.

Absolutely

It's proprietary firmware. There won't be a downloadable app.

Is what I thought they would do first for everyone with a streaming box already... gets into more homes quick

I wanted to write app for them but their marketing team is not responding

I expect one reason there isn't an app at the present time is due to Freely using the TV aerial to pull in additional channels to the Freely TV Guide. This probably requires specific support from the TV manufacturer to allow Freely to access the TV's aerial and tuner. Thus you will only see Freely being bundled with new TVs for early adopter brands, like Hisense, in the first year or two. With such a limited number of channels at launch there probably isn't much point having a Freely app at this stage in the role out. All the Freely channels available at launch are all available via their own existing catch-up apps and provide the ability to catch up or watch live TV (BBC and ITV). As more channels migrate to Freely in the future and Freely's ability to use a TV's aerial is removed, you may well see a Freely App introduced for each major TV OS. But I suspect an app will be a few years away.

The reason it's not an app is that you can switch off location features and make it harder for the license to gether evidence of what you watch. This new system is funded by the BBC to check up on you. If you don't have a license and you watch ANYTHING on FREELY you will be made to buy a license.

It's not an app Simple because it contains BBC services so a lot of people won't download it due to needing a TV licence to use it .

@nymrfootage 0 seconds ago I expect one reason there isn't an app at the present time is due to Freely using the TV aerial to pull in additional channels to the Freely TV Guide. This probably requires specific support from the TV manufacturer to allow Freely to access the TV's aerial and tuner. Thus you will only see Freely being bundled with new TVs for early adopter brands, like Hisense, in the first year or two. With such a limited number of channels at launch there probably isn't much point having a Freely app at this stage in the role out. All the Freely channels available at launch are all available via their own existing catch-up apps and provide the ability to catch up or watch live TV (BBC and ITV). As more channels migrate to Freely in the future and Freely's ability to use a TV's aerial is removed, you may well see a Freely App introduced for each major TV OS. But I suspect an app will be a few years away.

FREELY is designed to track its users to make sure they have a license, This service can tell what you're watching, when you're watching and on which device you watched it on. NO MORE avoiding the TV license fee.

Freely is not an idiotic idea. I have no means to connect an aerial or dish. I would love Freely so I can get that normal TV like experience. This video is not very well informed. This service is to work alongside Freeview not replace it. It's to encourage young people who maybe only watch internet TV to watch more free to air tv. Freeview play and Freeview are not the same thing. Freeview play is an app that collates on demand video for core channels, makes no sense to have it alongside freely. There is no plan to switch off Freeview signals, will they propose this eventually? Maybe but I doubt it will happen for decades, too many people regularly use it.

@@learningpianoat61 not an issue, either pay the license fee or don't watch live TV or BBC iPlayer content. You're still free to choose

Freely ain't free as u will require a yearly TV licence as it contains BBC services 😅

If a TV can get streaming services it should be able to get an updated app to run on it. But any internet device (desktop, laptop, tablet) should be able to pick up the services like BBC iPlayer and ITV X. It really is not necessary to buy any new hardware as long as you have broadband yet the only way to get the services now is with a new television set.

You can actually buy an HDMI port splitter btw.

@firstlast5350 True it's just mine in that past as been a bit dodgy. I really like having less cables. Also I think TVs should come with more HDMI ports, cheaper TVs only have 2 and they should honestly have 4 atleast. My TV has 4 but I have so many consoles so I need atleast 8, also soundbar takes up one. I got Nintendo Switch,ps5,xbox, and old xbox 360 that isn't plugged it at the moment, also soundbar. Extra cables do annoy me. All im saying is my tv or Xbox is capable of having the Freely app so it should happen. If it don't happen then oh well I geuss I will get a shiny box, hopefully 4k content can be possible and dolby vision support.

@@brandonlee7382 I have three display ports from my Freesat/Freeview/cable enabled media player. The 65" touch panel screen can also be controlled from two computers. I use WiSA for audio (so not needing an HDMI ARC.eARC port). The PCI card is used to download programmes that are not on catch up services (iPlayer,. ITV X). A get_iplayer type program would ne most useful for Freely but would need a URL link to the programme or series.

not a chance - and I wouldn't buy a Hisense either

You will still need a licence if you watch "live TV" programs as they are broadcast. If you only watch catchup services then, like now, a licence is not needed.

It works by signing in to the streaming services. Eg, you sign into BBC iPlayer and ITV X, so the channels appear in the EPG. So BBC 1 will be number 1, BBC Two number 2 and ITV at number 3 etc. However, if you have a smart tv/stick etc, you can already stream the channels. Freely streamlines this, by placing the channels on the streaming services, into an EPG. So you don't have to keep switching streaming services, to change channel.

There have been some hardware updates to televisions. The screen technology has also changed. For most people those differences come when eventually they get a new TV but are not enough for them to need or want a new TV. One way around is to move some of the electronics into a separate unit. Modular TVs existed in the 80s - split speakers and audio from screen and receiver box. A hub, slot in card (like PC cards) could extend the life of the media devices so you are not forced to make a complete change every 5 years like we have to do with mobile phones as support lasts for only a couple of years and new need a new phone (new operating system) just to run the app to switch on your app enabled smart device.

It's the bbc's way of having you pay for a tv licence ..so freely is a lie !

Yes bc people still need a license to watch BBC content on IPlayer, so it’s gonna mean paying twice, tv licence and faster internet to support all the streaming.

If you purchase a gold plated HDMI cable, your current TV will then be Freely ready. 😂

I've been to one and no Hisense TV has any mention of Freely.

No, this is a soft launch. It will probably be another failure though, so don't sweat it.

I'd say so if you use a VPN.

Only needs an app.

And why would it support a system specific to a small island nation in the North Atlantic?

Hopefully they get a software update to support Freely. If the game consoles and other devices get Freely then that will be ideal

@@brandonlee7382 and what incentive do Sony/microsoft/nintendo have to support a niche TV system which is exclusive to a small island nation in the North Atlantic? The days of the UK being relevant have long since passed.

The BBC removed regional programmes from standard definition BBC One and then closed down all standard definition versions of all their channels. To see BBC on Freesat you must have a receiver that can get HD channels. Many people have 1080p screen that only have standard 720x576 receivers. After 20 years Freeview is still limited to 7 HD channels. Freesat has 20. Freesat has lost from the install and viewing guide channels like GREAT TV. The cost of Freeview and Freesat have risen and to deliver over the internet costs have fallen. Other channels will move from these services but ought to be available via Freely through the single interface and also enabling all the channels to be at least 1920x1080. Some of the channels with 504x576 enlarged to 4K is so outdated. .

It's actually on channel 7 on Freeview and on channel 106 on Freesat.

You wait for your current tv to lose support for all its apps. My tv is from 2018 which is a Samsung smart 4k tv. Which has tv plus which is are fast channels. Freesat & sky satellite will end in 2028. Freeview has until 2035 buy it’s likely going to be 2032 as ofcom can start to tell them to start shutting it down.

@@NicholasJH96 The satellite deal ends in 2028. Who knows, Sky and Freesat may renew it before then?

I only got a smart tv a couple weeks ago and there's no way i'm upgrading it again just for freely!

​@@NicholasJH96And viewers will make their choice and kick the broadcasters up the f**'ing backside!

I think Curry’s should be selling some Hisense TV’s that have recently launched which have Freely built in.

Can't seem to find any TVs yet with the freely software... May have to wait a while

It's not a mobile app.

No

hisense tv's are rubbish. I would hold on to your LG as long as you can.

Not sure it should but things are probably going to change there anyway. If you watch the iPlayer online, you will have to have a license, so I would assume Freely will be the same (for now). If you watch other channels online, not sure about it though. I am certain people who understand the licensing better than me will explain how Freely will work with that

@@AndrewBuckleBookReviews Cheers, thank you :)

@@AndrewBuckleBookReviews If you use Freely to watch any scheduled channel at the exact moment that it is actually being broadcast then you will need a licence. If you use Freely to access any BBCiplayer content on-demand then you will need a licence. In theory if you only use Freely to watch soley on-demand programming from exclusively non-BBC broadcasters then as the law stands you do not need a licence. The difficulty will be that if the licence enforcement people visit you and you make the mistake of letting them in, then currently the onus will be on you to prove that just because you have a set capable of receiving live television and iPlayer content it doesn't mean you actually ever watch such (and it's not clear if Freely TV's will be storing your viewing history as they go like a PC or mobile would), but then again the same issue now exists with all internet-connected devices able to display video content, which didn't exist when that part of the tv licence law was written so very long ago, so parliament will almost certainly have to debate whether to change this latter point in some way if they decide to continue with the tv licence after the next licence cycle.

Primarily Freely is for Live TV so nothing changes with regards to the TV License.

The big difference is that Freely will take at lest 20 or 30 years to replace Freeview because of the cost of high quality broadband internet, the availability of said internet in certain parts of the UK, and the fact that many poor and lower working class individuals don’t have access to high quality broadband internet and will only get it when the government helps cover the cost of said internet. The United States had such a programme until it expired earlier this year and it hasn’t been renewed as of yet. So it’s going to take a very long time before Freeview ends.

It will have to have an internet interface and then a VPN gets to watch them from anywhere as "Free" to view.