Freeview has over 11 million active users and is described as the fastest - grow smart platform in the UK , bringing admittance to popular TV show and computer programing for free .
It launched in 2002 as a joint venture between the BBC , ITV , Channel 4 and communications company Arqiva with just 25 line uncommitted and has grown from strength to strength since .
It was built - in to TVs in 2004 , began broadcasting in HD in 2009 and in 2015 Freeview rebranded its subscription - devoid TV service as Freeview Play as the weapons platform evolved with the introduction of wise television set .
Since then Freeview Play has expanded to more devices and add together new features and channel . It ’s the most democratic smart platform in the UK , with a reach of 18 million homes it ’s said to be the home to 95 % of the UK ’s most watch display .
So how can you get Freeview fun and what does it offer ?
What is the difference between Freeview and Freeview Play?
Freeview Play is an extension of the platform into the earned run average of the impudent telly , so Freeview Play is Freeview but connected .
The platform incorporate streaming channels into a hub with access to last , catch - up and on - need TV all turn over into one service over an cyberspace connection .
Apps that add up part of the Freeview Play bundle include BBC iPlayer , thenew ITVX , All 4 , My5 , UKTV Play , Horror Bites , and CBS Catch up Channels UK , STV Player , POP Player , BBC vocalize . In 2022 , it tote up the PBS America player to its roll of channel .
Technically , Freeview , requires no subscription as it is a free - to - access broadcast service , though anyone who watches disseminate television receiver on any covert in the firm must pay off the yearly TV licence fee .
Back when it launched in 2002 , it enabled the transposition from a few parallel transmission channel to tens of digital channels for anyone who had a Freeview box . Now Freeview Play is home to over 80 resilient TV line , as well as 15 HD channels and 25 radio receiver stations .
As of April 2022 there 40,000 hours of content to sift through . Fast forward to December 2022 and there are now 60,000 60 minutes of content available o the political platform .
Updates have institute it in line with the late video standards in 4 K andHLG HDR , while accessibility options have been improved for the hard of audition and those with piteous heap .
How do I get Freeview Play?
Freeview Play is build straightaway into a range of gadget sell in the UK .
It ’s available onAmazon Fire TV Edition , Hisense , Panasonic , Philips , TCLandToshibaTVs , as well as models from Cello , Hitachi , Luxor and JVC . Do observe that the linear TV ( or broadcast TV ) aspect of Freeview Play requires a signal from an aerial to lock .
LG ’s 2020 range of goggle box did not carry the platform due to Freeview and LG failing to hit an agreement but a five - twelvemonth deal was check from 2022 onwards .
Where you wo n’t find Freeview is on Sony TVs , whichbacks YouView , while Samsung has its barren - to - watchTV Plus service , though all of the chief UK catch - up apps are available on those TVs .
you could well see whether a telly has keep by looking for a reference of ‘ Freeview Play ’ in the tv set ’s feature film listing . Wemention in our reviewswhether a goggle box supports the platform or not in the specs or the written matter itself .
If a TV does n’t support Freeview Play , one choice is to get a primed - top boxful . If you want to memorialize cognitive content there are recordable set - top boxes from the likes ofManhattanand Humax , the latter has a £ 249 Aura Android TV recorder . If that ’s too expensive , there are boxes available for less than £ 100 .
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What do I get with Freeview Play?
Freeview flirt integrates on - demand subject matter into the linear TV scout , making the intact comprehensiveness of subject matter available in one place . For example , rather than having to access BBC ’s iPlayer as a separate app , you’re able to dip into the service by select a missed program from the past seven days in the EPG ( Electronic Programme Guide ) .
TVs and set - top boxes have access to Channel 100 . That offers a straightaway path into the various apps from a whirligig across the top of the UI . Below is a curated selection of recommend shows filtered by 10 family or writing style , including one ‘ wildcard ’ category that is seasonal or related to a particular result such as Hallowe’en , Christmas or Eurovision .
As the on - requirement / catch - up side of the service relies on an internet connection , there ’s the ability to add new program and features on a regular basis . Introduced since launching are hunting and recommendation functions to keep the Freeview fiddle weapons platform militant with pay - for services from the likes of Sky and Virgin .
Another major update is Freeview ’s Accessible goggle box Guide . It intend to make it simpler for those who are hard of hearing or have hapless seeing to find content . More recently , the platform has added fresh uncovering lineament such as genre recommendations that joined the armed service in 2022 .
Head to Channel 555 and viewers will be asked for their preferred accessibility options , whether that ’s the textbook to Speech feature film for navigation ; only showing programmes with audio verbal description , showing programme with subtitle , or prove programmes with house speech .
The UI has been developed with a high - contrast look ( white textbook , dark background ) , the silver screen magnified to make it more easy decipherable , and a schoolbook - to - speech functionality incorporate in the UI . With the last characteristic viewers can set how rapidly the speech is delivered too .
What can I watch on Freeview Play?
With over 60,000 hours of subject , there ’s no famine of films and TV shows to watch .
With BBC iPlayer , ITV Hub , All 4 , My5 , UKTV drama , Horror Bites , and CBS Catch up Channels UK , there ’s computer programming such as Made in Chelsea , Normal People , RuPaul ’s Drag Race UK , Derry Girls , Love Island , Fresh Meat and What We Do in the Shadows .
Or you could view old classics such as The lean Blue Line , The Simpsons and Veronica Mars , and if you want to watch the latest serial publication of Rick and Morty or Harley Quinn , they ’re available on requirement through the serve too .
It ’s also stocked with recent and classic films . Captain America : The Winter Soldier and Spider - Man : Far From Home are useable , as well as Death Proof , A Ghost Story , Last Christmas and Greco-Roman movie such as Doctor Zhivago , A thing of Life and Death and Apocalypse Now .
The launching of PBS America on the political platform , there ’s memory access to the wealthiness of illuminating series that sweep U.S history , for example Ken Burns ’ FRONTLINE & American Experience documentaries , with Freeview wager watcher capable to enjoy on demand loge sets such as The Civil War and even Country Music .
What about the Freeview app?
Freeview plunge an app in 2019 on Android and iOS , make for its on - requirement and catch - up TV subject matter to mobile devices .
The app is separated into five section – What ’s On , On Demand , Guide , Search and My Freeview – and it act upon similarly to the ‘ grownup screen ’ app . you may download it for costless , select the realm and then download the various snatch - up apps to access code to content .
With the 15 - 24-hour interval EPG substance abuser can go backwards 7 - day to catch up on what ’s been missed . Reminders can be set , and channels marked as favourites to act as a filter in the TV guide , allowing viewer to check uncommitted subject whenever and wherever they want .
Can you upgrade from Freeview to Freeview Play?
Sadly , you ca n’t upgrade a non - Freeview romp machine to launch the Freeview Play weapons platform . It requires completely fresh gear designed to lean the service .
Of of course , buy a set - top box work as a monetary value - effective elbow room of getting Freeview sport – provided you have the space under your telecasting for another black box .
What about Netflix and other streaming apps?
Unsurprisingly , Freeview Play does not integrate streaming services such asNetflixinto its electronic program guide ( EPG ) or rival offerings like Virgin Media ’s laid - top boxes or Sky Stream . Rather , it ’s up to the individual TV and lay - top - box manufacturers to mint such deals severally .
In other Good Book , you ’ll need to cover access Netflix and any other OTT subscription service of process through their standalone apps . The EPG is only intended for the catch - up serving provided by the gratis - to - view channels that operate on Freeview .
Is Freeview Play worth it?
When a television receiver brand that has support Freeview Play loses the feature film , it often induce consternation with watcher . That says flock about how much people rely on Freeview Play and how they look it to be a feature film that ’s always there .
The amount of message useable is massive , with fresh mental object along with classics from yester - yr usable to surf . While you’re able to quibble with it being technically ‘ free ’ , there ’s always something to find out and in recent years updates have aid overhaul the service as well as make it more accessible . Freeview Play adds value and once it ’s been sampled , few prefer to be without it .
