UKTV joins the public service broadcasters backing Freely, which is integrated into the next generation of smart TVs and offers viewers 96% of the nation’s favourite shows.

The new partnership brings a wide variety of high-quality titles to the platform including U Originals The Marlow Murder Club, Battle In The Box, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza, Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance, Bangers & Cash and Emma Willis: Delivering Babies.

Jonathan Newman, General Manager, Commercial, UKTV, said: “We’re delighted that our free-streaming service U and portfolio of free-to-air channels, recently united under the U Masterbrand, are joining the Freely line-up. It further supports our audience-led strategy, ensuring our viewers can easily access UKTV’s content in a digital world.”

Freely, which launched in April 2024, enables British audiences to stream live channels and browse on demand content from the nation’s biggest broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 for free.

Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: “Freely enables audiences to seamlessly browse and stream a vast library of high-quality content from the UK’s biggest broadcasters, all in one place, but with the added advantage that it’s the same trusted, relevant and reliable programming they have always known.

“The new platform brings together local, originated programming that champions UK talent and UK stories. It gives viewers access to the best of British TV, with shows that reflect our nation, driving the national conversation and broadening the common investment that all audiences have in our society.

“At its heart, Freely is about championing access to British content for British audiences. This has only been possible through a major collaboration between the UK’s main public service broadcasters, who are committed to securing the future of free TV in the streaming age.