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Public service broadcaster Channel 4 has this morning announced the launch of three new streaming channels – 4Reality, 4Homes, and 4Life, which are to made exclusively available via the new broadband-based live TV streaming service – Freely – in the UK.
Freely, which first launched in April 2024 (here), is not currently being pushed as a replacement for the ageing terrestrial Freeview (inc. Freeview Play) and satellite-based Freesat TV platforms and should, at least for now, be seen as more of a complement – a different kind of service that helps to make broadcast TV more accessible. The change is important because the age of traditional terrestrial TV signals, which came via the airwaves, is expected to gradually come to an end as gigabit broadband nears almost universal UK coverage by 2032 (currently c.88%).
The big news today is, as above, that one of Freely’s key backers – Channel 4 – has just become the first public service broadcaster to launch a range of three new streaming channels, which will be exclusively available on Freely.
With the new streams, Freely will offer more than 50 live channels over Wi-Fi and broadband links, alongside “more on-demand shows than any streaming service in the UK” (we haven’t been able to independently verify that claim).
Channel 4’s Exclusive Streaming Channels
➤ 4Reality (channel 67): sometimes risqué, often funny and always entertaining. 4Reality from Channel 4 – the original home of the best reality TV – brings favourites across real-life drama, sass, romance and rivalry from Married at First Sight, Naked Attraction and First Dates to Made in Chelsea.
➤ 4Homes (channel 68): from massive mansions to amazing spaces, from places in the sun and DIY in chateaus, to homes in the best-of-British locations, 4Homes showcases all places great and small spanning shows such as Grand Designs, A Place in the Sun and Location, Location, Location.
➤ 4Life (channel 82): real lives, real people (and real dogs too). And huge helpings of delicious food. Meet people doing amazing things – often in beautiful places. 4Life showcases the great content genres channel 4 viewers love including travel, food and animals, from The Dog House to Travel Man.
More channels are also expected to join the line-up as the platform continues to grow.
Grace Boswood, C4’s Director of Technology & Distribution, said:
“We’re proud to lead the way among Britain’s broadcasters by enhancing Freely’s offering. The launch of our new streamed channels further accelerates our transformation into the streaming age as the world’s first public service streamer. It also continues our record of digital distribution firsts to benefit advertisers and viewers.”
Freely has also been quietly improving their device support and recently confirmed plans to launch on Netgem’s new streaming TV box during Q4 2025 (here); such boxes are typically bundled by broadband ISPs like Brsk, TalkTalk, CommunityFibre, Wightfibre and others. The BBC are also understood to be considering the launch of a streaming box (here).
However, Freely’s adoption is likely to remain limited until the service arrives on popular streaming devices from Amazon, Google and Roku, but at present there’s no clear indication of whether or even when this will happen.