The Freely streaming service logo on a Hisense smart TV set. (Courtesy photo)
Freely, the British television platform backed by the country’s main public service broadcasters, has struck an agreement with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) to integrate the entertainment giant’s free streaming entertainment and news channels into its service.
Starting today, British TV viewers with Freely-capable smart TVs or streaming devices can watch the free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel CNN Headlines, which aggregates news clips across various topics like world news, sports, entertainment and business.
CNN Headlines is the first news channel offered on Freely from a commercial entertainment company, officials at Freely parent Everyone TV noted in a press release.
Starting next year, more channels from WBD will be coming to the service, including Quest, Food Network, DMAX and Really. Additionally, the cable network TLC will evolve into a free-to-air offering and will also be made available through Freely.
That version of TLC will carry “The Big Bang Theory,” upcoming comedy “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” the return of “Mock the Week” and new unscripted series “Zero Stars,” hosted by Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe.
Freely will be the only place outside of Discovery Plus where viewers can stream all six Warner Bros Discovery free-to-air channels in one location at no cost.
More growth is slated for early 2026, with Hearst Networks EMEA, Bloomberg TV Plus, Talking Pictures TV, Gemporia and Local TV have all confirmed plans to join Freely. Talking Pictures TV rolled out on Freely in November, and Hearst will launch Blaze on the platform next week.
With the latest additions, Freely will offer more than 70 live channels delivered over Wi-Fi along with over 75,000 hours of on-demand programming. Freely launched with offerings from Britain’s four public service broadcasters — the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Paramount’s Channel 5 — which make their linear multiplex available through the service as well as FAST channels and on-demand programming.
Everyone TV says the platform’s rapid distribution and usage growth positions it to become the largest TV device ecosystem in the UK within five years, based on independent forecasts.
“These additional channels have so much to offer the Freely audience,” Deep Halder, the Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV, said. “Viewers will be able to easily and seamlessly access these brand-new shows, all in one place, for free, on Freely.”
