Everyone TV, the consortium backed by Britain’s public service broadcasters, is partnering with a French technology firm to bring its online platform Freely to more TVs in the United Kingdom.
The partnership will see Everyone TV work with Netgem to design and ship standalone devices that will be compatible with Freely’s online streaming service, which offers live access to channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Paramount Global’s Channel 5.
Freely has largely been exclusive to newer-model smart TVs since it launched in April 2024. The devices being developed by Netgem will allow streamers to use the Freely platform without having to buy a new Freely-compatible TV set — they’ll simply be able to hook Netgem’s devices into their existing sets and start streaming live and on-demand programming from Freely.
Netgem is already working on its first Freely-compatible streaming device: A small puck that will connect to existing TVs through an available HDMI port.
Netgem’s device will also integrate additional streaming services and access to Netgem’s Cloud Gaming platform, turning televisions into full-fledged entertainment hubs.
“As a leading provider of digital entertainment services, Netgem has designed the small and modern device to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience,” the company said, noting that the Freely interface will sit at the core of the device.
“Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone,” Jonathan Thompson, the CEO of Everyone TV, said in a statement. “Expanding to plug-in and stream devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription.”
Freely was designed to help Britain’s public service broadcasters consolidate their online efforts into a streamlined platform, one that targets younger TV viewers who are accustomed to watching content online.
Most of the country’s public service broadcasters have faced increased competition from foreign streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and Disney Plus, which have poached younger viewers with compelling content and apps that work across different devices.
For now, Freely will remain exclusive to the TV set, but the devices being developed by Netgem will allow the platform to expand to more TVs in British homes.
“Netgem is delighted to introduce the first Freely streaming device to the market with Everyone TV,” Sylvain Thevenot, the Managing Director of Netgem in the U.K., said on Thursday. “This innovation represents a game-changer for viewers who seek a streamlined TV and entertainment experience delivered over Wi-Fi. The integration of Freely with Netgem’s entertainment service positions this streaming puck as the optimal choice for all households and breathes a second life to all TV sets at an affordable price.”
Netgem’s streaming devices will launch later this year at “select retail outlets,” the company said, without offering more specifics.
British TV and film fans who do want a new TV have plenty of options to choose from, including Roku and Amazon-powered smart TVs with Freely, as well as those made by Panasonic, TCL, Bush, Toshiba, Sharp and Hisense that run VIDAA, TiVo OS and Titan OS.
