New Sky TV rival reveals huge UK content boost and it's totally free to watch

Sky might still rule the roost when it comes to premium TV but a recently launched rival is certainly creating quite a storm. Freely went live back at the end of April and just like Sky Glass offers an easy way to stream TV without needing an aerial or dish stuck to the chimney.

This platform, which now comes built into many new TVs, uses broadband to beam live and on-demand content to the big screen.

It also matches some Sky Glass features with users able to pause live telly along with finding things to watch via on-screen recommendations and a full TV guide. There's even a neat Mini Guide which pops up to show what's on now and next.

With its six-month anniversary not far away the team behind Freely is hoping that their latest update will convince more consumers to make the jump.

Everyone TV - who also runs Freeview – has just confirmed that there are now 70,000 hours of on-demand content available on the service and it can all be viewed for free.

READ MORE: What is Freely? UK’s new free rival to Sky TV explained

This, they say, offers more things to watch than other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+.

Things will also get better next month with Freely also announcing that UKTV will also bring its on-demand service U to Freely this month.

That means users will be able to tune into channels such as U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W and U&YESTERDAY.

UKTV now joins the public service broadcasters backing Freely, which is integrated into the next generation of smart TVs from firms such as Panasonic, Toshiba and Hisense. It's a smart move as, at launch, Freely was lacking some of the channels found on Freeview and Sky.

Speaking about the news Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: “Freely enables audiences to seamlessly browse and stream a vast library of high-quality content from the UK’s biggest broadcasters, all in one place, but with the added advantage that it’s the same trusted, relevant and reliable programming they have always known.

"The new platform brings together local, originated programming that champions UK talent and UK stories. It gives viewers access to the best of British TV, with shows that reflect our nation, driving the national conversation and broadening the common investment that all audiences have in our society.

“At its heart, Freely is about championing access to British content for British audiences. This has only been possible through a major collaboration between the UK’s main public service broadcasters, who are committed to securing the future of free TV in the streaming age."

Want to know more? Read our full Freely guide here.