Freely Forecasts 10.5 Million UK Homes By 2034 Amid Internet TV Shift
Freely, the UK's free-to-air streaming service owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, is projected to reach 10.5 million homes by 2034, according to estimates presented by Everyone TV. This forecast highlights a shift towards internet-delivered television, as homes connecting TVs to the internet in the UK have risen to 84% from 66% in 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Freely, co-owned by UK public service broadcasters, estimates reaching 10.5 million homes by 2034.
- The projection comes as 84% of UK homes now connect their TV to the internet, up from 66% in 2020.
- The number of UK homes without broadband is forecast to drop to 220,000 (0.8% of households) by 2034.
- Freely is embedded in smart TVs from Hisense, Panasonic, Toshiba, Bush, and TCL sold in the UK.
Why It Matters
Freely's ambitious subscriber forecast underscores the accelerating transition from traditional broadcast to internet-delivered television in the UK. This shift impacts infrastructure investments, content delivery strategies for broadcasters, and smart TV manufacturing partnerships. The data suggests that public service broadcasters are aggressively positioning their joint streaming venture to capture an online-first audience as broadband penetration nears universality. StreamingMeme readers should track Freely's actual user acquisition rate and the adoption of its embedded smart TV presence against these projections, particularly as traditional set-top box installations decline.
Read full article at mediaplaynews.com
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