Permission to talk Freely?
It’s not mobile or photography related, but as someone who watches TV via Freesat and Freeview, I really wanted Freely to be a thing. Now it might actually get to be.
Freely launched in April 2024. This means we’re only around two months off celebrating its second anniversary – but I bet many of you haven’t even heard of it.
Even if you have, chances are you haven’t experienced it because the company opted to do deals with TV makers to begin with, who all decided to include it on their base models.
So not only did this limit the market to those buying entry-level televisions, but it also meant that anyone with a TV already had no way to experience the new platform.
Without the app to add to existing TVs, or widespread support on bigger and more expensive TV models, plus no support for sticks like Amazon Fire TV or Google TV, it’s amazing the service even made it this far.
It’s less surprising that on forums you find nearly no traffic in threads dedicated to talking about Freely – besides the occasional comment asking if Freely is still a thing.
In case you don’t know what Freely is (and you’ve read this far without looking it up), it’s a simple Internet based alternative to Freeview, or Freesat, or the new streaming services from Sky (Glass or Stream) and Virgin Media. A simple programme guide that most of us are used to, but not needing a satellite dish or TV aerial – and therefore being able to plug in a TV anywhere without having to run cables to different rooms.
Times are changing
Now you are finally beginning to find third-party set top boxes entering the market to give existing TV owners the chance to experience Freely – which is about time.
Boxes are now available from Netgem (PLEIO), Manhattan (Aero 4K) and, now, Humax with the Aura EZ pictured above and below.
The Humax I’m talking about here is the most expensive option but serves as a bridge between terrestrial and Internet based services – and comes with a traditional hard drive (a whopping 2TB in capacity) to allow recording of the terrestrial broadcasts, like its many other offerings for both Freeview and Freesat in the past.
If you’re already thinking you can watch most free channels on an existing set top box, TV, or even smartphone, using the various broadcaster apps like iPlayer or ITVX, the key difference is that Freely is designed to work as a standard TV guide without all the delays associated with having to load a specific app, log in, select a programme and wait for it to load and play.
That’s not to say apps aren’t still available on the devices too. While each model is running on its own operating system, so there will be differences across the board, all three of the above mentioned devices allow access to the traditional streaming services too (or at least most of them).
Here and now
With so many people watching more streamed content from Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video, Freely is important for the whole broadcast industry because it can help stop people turning away from linear broadcasting entirely – something I suspect a lot of people may have already done.
Like it or not, watching a programme live is still an enjoyable experience and something a lot of people might be missing out on.
There was a time you’d go to work and talk about what everyone watched, at the same time, the night before. Streaming services have tried to replicate this with things like ‘watch parties’, but it isn’t quite the same because you all have to decide what it is you want to watch and plan ahead.
Having someone else decide a schedule might sound antiquated and extremely limiting, but it actually can be a great thing when it stops you having to waste hours choosing what you ‘feel’ like watching.
It’s why you’ll end up watching Die Hard when it’s shown on late night TV, even if it’s already half an hour in and you’ve seen it a million times. You didn’t have to make a choice – it was made for you.
I really don’t think people can underestimate how refreshing this can be when it seems harder than ever before to choose what to watch.
Freely still has work to do (it really does need to work on finding a way to be a downloadable app for existing smart TV owners) but with the eventual switch-off of terrestrial broadcasting, and likely the same fate for satellite broadcasting (it’s not clear if there will be a replacement when the current satellites are considered end-of-life), Freely is the future of linear broadcasting.
Nobody wants to rely on multiple apps for ‘normal’ TV, or a mish-mash of programme guides for FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels that vary from TV to TV and set top box to set top box.
Thanks to Humax, Netgem, and Manhattan there are now choices for existing TV owners to get in on the Freely experience.
While the latter two boxes are designed to stream Freely only, albeit the Netgem device also coming with a game controller and optional monthly sub, the Humax Aura EZ – with no ongoing subscription – allows the recording of broadcasts (up to four at once – as you watch a fifth!) which can be accessed from your own hard drive at any time in the future, without being taken away if rights expire.
For a lot of people that’s a feature worth paying for.
I really do hope that come April 2027, everyone will know what Freely is – but again, please make it available as an app for existing TVs too! But until that happens, check out the Humax box by checking the press release below – or look at the Freely site to learn more about the platform and future developments that occur after I’ve written this.
Press Release
Humax introduces Aura EZ 4K TV Recorder with Freely
12 February 2026
Humax has announced the Humax Aura EZ 4K TV Recorder with Freely – available to pre-order from authorised Humax retailers from today at a suggested retail price of £249.
Designed to be extremely easy to set up, users can simply plug in Aura EZ and enjoy thousands of hours of live and on-demand TV – all ready to watch in minutes.
When connected to an aerial*, this new Humax device enables viewers to record up to four channels while watching a fifth channel live, ensuring they never miss their favourite shows, movies or series. To schedule a recording**, a quick press of the Menu button on the remote control reveals the seven-day TV guide, allowing the desired programmes to be selected for recording – swiftly and seamlessly.
A generous 2TB hard drive stores up to 1,000 hours of content, providing families with plenty of room for all their entertainment needs.
Furthermore, the Humax Aura EZ supports 4K HDR picture quality with Dolby Digital Plus sound, delivering an immersive viewing experience.
For added flexibility in the future, the Humax Aura EZ app*** will make it simple for Aura EZ owners to navigate, plan and schedule recordings remotely from anywhere, so the shows and movies they love most will always be available to watch – even on the go.
Unlimited entertainment with Freely
Delivering a huge variety of entertainment options, Humax Aura EZ makes the Freely streaming platform available for viewers to enjoy on existing TVs. Users simply connect to Wi-Fi to access more than 60 live channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content – all in one place, for free. This includes BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, U, WATCH FREE UK, PBS America and more, plus three exclusive 4 channels (4Homes, 4Life, 4Reality). No monthly subscription costs – and no aerial or dish required.
Thanks to the simple-to-use Freely Mini-Guide, viewers can seamlessly switch between live and on-demand, as well as pause and restart live TV. Users also have the option to save all their favourite shows with ‘My List’, while the TV guide delivers seven-day forward and backward functionality.
The Humax Aura EZ comes with a dedicated Freely button on the remote control, enabling fast and convenient access to the streaming platform.
Please visit https://www.freely.co.uk/ to see a full list of Freely channels, features and content.
Pricing and availability
The Humax Aura EZ will be available from authorised Humax retailers in the UK at a suggested retail price of £249 from February 2026. Price includes VAT.Notes to editors
* The recording feature on Aura EZ requires an aerial.
** Recording is not compatible with the Freely platform.
*** The Aura EZ app is currently under testing and will be available to download free of charge in the future.
More Information
