Freely TV

That's the point though, you don't need to buy a new TV, your current one works. When you next need a replacement there will be new tech available (either Freely or something newer).

People seem to be getting really angry as if they're being told to replace their existing TVs. Nothing is being turned off...
 
I get that, it's a good idea to have it. I just think it should have been started a decade ago. We had the start of streaming channels back then such as when the BBC showed the world cup or euros online. Better late than never I suppose.
 
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LuckyBenski said:
That's the point though, you don't need to buy a new TV, your current one works. When you next need a replacement there will be new tech available (either Freely or something newer).

People seem to be getting really angry as if they're being told to replace their existing TVs. Nothing is being turned off...
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I think some of the annoyance is that expectations were higher than what was delivered.

Expectations were a single app with a built in EPG available across all platforms, no different to an Android STB with KODI which was available over a decade ago.

Lack of communication from Freely is partly to blame.

Commercially, I think the broadcasters like their own "walled garden".
 
Amazon have announced a deal where all new Fire TV Smart TVs (not portable devices like Fire Stick etc) will replace the the guide on UK models with Freely.
 
TheMightyTen said:
Amazon have announced a deal where all new Fire TV Smart TVs (not portable devices like Fire Stick etc) will replace the the guide on UK models with Freely.
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As i said on the 1st page of this thread, this whole endeavour is to raise money for the TV license. This app will never be allowed on portable devices, because they are portable and can never be tied to one address.
A TV on the other hand can be tied to one address. For the simple reason that when anyone buys a TV it has to be registered by the retailer to the TV licensing authority and that retailer will have your address.
The fist time you use that TV on line to watch any live TV program the stream will have your IPV4 and IPV6 address, which of course can be traced directly to your actual address. So saying "i don't watch any live TV" to get away with paying the TV licence won't wash.
They don't even need to come knocking on your door, they already will have all the proof they need. Only a VPN at router level that does both IPV4 and IPV6 can help here, even than they may well have the MAC address of the TV itself as proof.
 
www.ispreview.co.uk

BBC Looks Set to Build its Own "radically simplified" Freely TV Streaming Box

The BBC's Controller of Digital Transition, Helen Burrows, has confirmed that the corporation is "exploring the idea" of building its own UK set-top-box device
www.ispreview.co.uk www.ispreview.co.uk

The BBC’s Controller of Digital Transition, Helen Burrows, has confirmed that the corporation is “exploring the idea” of building its own UK set-top-box device to support the new broadband-based live TV streaming service, Freely, which until recently lacked any support among existing steaming boxes and sticks.
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Ice Tea said:
www.ispreview.co.uk

BBC Looks Set to Build its Own "radically simplified" Freely TV Streaming Box

The BBC's Controller of Digital Transition, Helen Burrows, has confirmed that the corporation is "exploring the idea" of building its own UK set-top-box device
www.ispreview.co.uk www.ispreview.co.uk
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I find it very interesting how the BBC seem to think they'll be doing it when it's from Freely themselves, and the press aren't helping :P

I've made it clear to my boss, the software engineering team head, the head of architecture, and now the CTO, that I am very keen to be in at the early stages influencing decisions around this product. I think it's key that the first offering is reliable and actually a viable solution for all users. That means decent performance, decent cost, long life.
 
It'll end up being part of the TV license subscription, like how a router comes with broadband. Plus however else they feel like monetising it, mtx, channel subs, ads, etc.
 
throwaway4372 said:
It'll end up being part of the TV license subscription, like how a router comes with broadband. Plus however else they feel like monetising it, mtx, channel subs, ads, etc.
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Not if we make it it won't, free is four sixths of the name!

The TV license connection is interesting though. Before connected TV and streaming was even a thing, during the digital switchover, there was a similar product i.e. a budget digital box. It was specifically to fill the gap where people hadn't bought a new TV, or digital TV service with box, or a pricier set top box. It was budget and basically offered to pensioners and the vulnerable, in order to get them moved over to digital. There was a whole scheme to handle it, including setting them up and testing the antenna signal.

I wonder if there will be a similar offering now - it would probably have to come with a broadband partner also.
 
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I see there are rumours of a Freely PVR, which actually make it start to sound interesting:


The lack of recording and the fact that you need to buy a whole new TV are the two main reasons it does not interest me (I have barely watched live TV in 25 years, so the lack of recording so far makes it basically pointless for me).

Sadly, I suspect (as pondered at in the article) that this will only be a PVR for Freeview that also happens to stream the Freely channels, rather than actually being a Freely PVR, but, fingers crossed...
 
Freely is a massive disappointment so far. Wake me up when one can truly watch all Freeview/free sat channels via internet and only via internet and without having to buy a new TV. I don't mind a £50 set top box to get the job done, but why it couldn't just be an android app annoys me. It shouldn't be about money the name suggests, but we all know it is.
 
First Freely set top box is on sale, and it's a tiny puck. £99 but comes with a Bluetooth games controller as well, and some ISPs will offer it in a bundle.
 
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jaybee said:
Freely is a massive disappointment so far. Wake me up when one can truly watch all Freeview/free sat channels via internet and only via internet and without having to buy a new TV. I don't mind a £50 set top box to get the job done, but why it couldn't just be an android app annoys me. It shouldn't be about money the name suggests, but we all know it is.
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I mean I agree and don’t. We’d all like an app because we’ve all got our kit and want to move on with our lives. But then what does Everyone TV get out of it..?

www.cordbusters.co.uk

Netgem Pleio Freely Box Review: Freeview, Reimagined | Cord Busters

The first standalone Freely box ditches the aerial for streaming-only Freeview channels. At £99, is it worth it? We test Netgem’s new Android TV Freely device
www.cordbusters.co.uk www.cordbusters.co.uk

Early reviews seem very promising/positive and it does seem like it’s just a Freely skin over the top of Android 14 given the full access to the Play Store.

Early stock went straight away so I’ll probably pick one up next time Amazon have them available to buy.
 
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