Freely just got a whole lot bigger. The free streaming platform has picked up 11 new channels from Channel 5 (stylised as 5 on its app and website), which is the single biggest drop of services since its deal with Warner Bros. last year.
The new channels cover everything from true crime and police shows to movies, medical documentaries, history and children's programming.
Kiaran Saunders, Channel 5's VP of Distribution and Business Development, said: "Launching these channels on Freely will help us expand their reach beyond the 5 streaming platform and directly into the homes of our audiences. As more and more people stream TV live, we want to meet audiences where they are with content they care about. These new channels showcase the range and breadth of genres that 5 excels at."
For anyone unfamiliar, Freely is the streaming service run by Everyone TV — the same organisation behind Freeview and Freesat. It's set to overtake both by the end of the decade.
Freely works entirely over your broadband connection, so there's no need for an aerial or satellite dish. You get channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and others in a single TV guide, and it's completely free to watch.
The new batch pushes Freely beyond 70 live channels, which is a pretty significant milestone for a platform that only launched in 2024.
Here's a rundown of what's arrived and where to find it all.
On the policing front, there's 5Cops on channel 69, packed with shows like Traffic Cops and Motorway Cops, plus 5Police Interceptors on channel 70, which runs the hit series round the clock.
True crime fans will be treated to 5Crime on channel 85, featuring Killer at the Crime Scene and Making a Serial Killer, while 5Movies on channel 77 serves up made-for-TV thrillers.
Medical programming gets two dedicated homes — 5A&E on channel 84 with shows like 999 Critical Condition, and 5Medical on channel 107 covering everything from GPs Behind Closed Doors to Autopsy.
There's also 5History on channel 128 for documentary lovers, 5Trucking Hell on channel 119, 5Bargain-Loving Brits on channel 118, 5Yorkshire Vet on channel 108, and the Milkshake! children's channel sitting at 360.
And five of those channels are exclusive to Freely at launch, meaning you won't find them on Freeview, Sky or Virgin Media right now. Those are 5Movies, 5Medical, 5Yorkshire Vet, 5History and Milkshake! — though all 11 are also available through Channel 5's own streaming platform.
It should be noted that Milkshake! is not a repeat of the block that airs between 6am and 9am on the main channel. The dedicated channel carries different content on a separate schedule, so there is fresh programming throughout the day.
Jonathan Thompson, Everyone TV's chief executive, said: "5 is home to a wide range of programmes that audiences love, and these new channels bring even more of that content to Freely, from true crime and films to children's favourites, with the new Milkshake! channel giving families even more choice to watch over the summer holidays."
Mr Thompson added that Everyone TV is continuing to work with broadcasting partners to bring the best of free TV together in one place.
Freely comes built into smart TVs from brands like Hisense, Panasonic, Toshiba, Bush, Sharp, TCL, Metz, and Amazon Fire TV. If your TV doesn't have it built in, like LG or Samsung, there is a workaround.
Freely's recently released streaming devices like the Pleio and the Aero 4K TV streamer will plug into the back of any TV via an HDMI port. Since Freely runs over Wi-Fi, as long as you have a plug socket and a good connection, you can enjoy all the same features the service has to offer.
That means you can place your television anywhere in the house as long as it has a minimum 10Mbps connection, and that bad weather can't disrupt your latest boxset obsession, sports fixture, or movie night.
It's ideal if you're not ready to upgrade your telly but still want to take advantage of all of Freely's latest offerings.
When Netgem launched the Pleio, it sold out within hours due to "exceptional demand," and it has struggled to stay in stock. The Aero 4K also sold out within 24-hours of its debut.
