Latest news with #Netgem
Wales Online
03-08-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Sky TV to face new rival as Freely finally launches its own streaming box
Sky TV to face new rival as Freely finally launches its own streaming box Freely currently allows UK households to ditch the need for an aerial, but it does require a new TV - however, that is all set to change with the launch of a new set-top box Freely Sky TV rival (Image: FREELY) Sky already provides a plethora of streaming options, including its comprehensive Glass TV and compact Stream box that can be connected to any existing television. With a vast array of premium channels and personalised recommendations, Sky's offerings are hard to rival. However, a new contender is set to challenge Sky's dominance. Freely, launched last year, currently allows UK households to stream live TV for free on new televisions equipped with this built-in service. Once connected, these screens simply link to the internet, providing access to live channels via broadband instead of an aerial. It's a straightforward way to access content, but until now, it has necessitated purchasing a new television. Fortunately, this is about to change, reports the Mirror. Freely, which is actually managed by the same team behind Freeview, has announced the launch of a new set-top box that will bring its platform to any television already owned by UK households. This puts it in direct competition with Sky's Stream box. The device, manufactured by Netgem, will be available later this year, offering full access to over 40 live channels without the need for an aerial. Freely's box is set to be a game-changer with features like a full TV guide, a Mini Guide for current and upcoming shows, personalised recommendations, the ability to pause live TV, and seven-day rewind capability to catch up on past broadcasts. Freely also commits to regular, automatic updates to enhance its features, channels, and content continuously. A key advantage over services like Sky is that after purchasing the Freely device, viewers can enjoy content without any subscription fees. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, commented on the launch: "Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone. Expanding to 'plug-in and stream' devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription." Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem U.K., said: "Netgem is delighted to introduce the first Freely streaming device to the market with Everyone TV. Article continues below "This innovation represents a game-changer for viewers who seek a streamlined TV and entertainment experience delivered over Wi-Fi. "The integration of Freely with Netgem's entertainment service positions this streaming puck as the optimal choice for all households and breathes a second life to all TV sets at an affordable price."
Daily Mirror
03-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky is getting another new UK rival that will stream content to your TV for free
Sky is facing new competition from Freely, with the streaming platform confirming the launch of a new set-top box. Sky already offers numerous ways to stream TV, including its all-in-one Glass TV and diddy Stream box which plugs into any television you happen to already own. With access to swathes of premium channels along with personalised recommendations, Sky's products are tough to beat. However, something new is on its way that could give Sky a serious run for its money. Freely, which launched last year, currently offers UK homes the option to stream live TV for free via new TVs that have this service built in. Once plugged in, these screens simply connect to the internet and offer access to live channels via broadband rather than using an aerial. It's a simple way to tune into content but, until now, it has meant buying a new telly. Luckily, that's about to change Freely, which is actually owned by the same team behind Freeview, has announced it's launching a new set-top box that will bring its platform to any tellies UK homes already own. That will put it in direct competition with Sky's Stream box. The device, which is being made by Netgem, will go on sale later this year and offer full access to over 40 live channels without needing an aerial. Freely's box will also come packed with features including a full TV guide and a Mini Guide which instantly shows what's on now and next. There's also recommendations for things to watch, you'll be able to pause live television and it will offer seven-day forward and backward functionality. That means you can go back in time and watch things that have already been broadcast. Freely is also promising regular, automatic updates for constantly evolving features, channels and content. Of course, unlike Sky, once the device has been purchased, everything is then free to watch meaning no subscription fees need to be paid. Speaking about the update, Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV, said: 'Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone. Expanding to 'plug-in and stream' devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription." And Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem U.K., added: 'Netgem is delighted to introduce the first Freely streaming device to the market with Everyone TV. This innovation represents a game-changer for viewers who seek a streamlined TV and entertainment experience delivered over Wi-Fi. "The integration of Freely with Netgem's entertainment service positions this streaming puck as the optimal choice for all households and breathes a second life to all TV sets at an affordable price.'
Forbes
31-07-2025
- Forbes
Freely Streaming Service Expands To Non-TV Devices For The First Time
Everyone TV has announced that it's expanding the availability of its Freely streaming service to dedicated streaming devices, meaning that you'll no longer need to buy a Freely-compatible smart TV to enjoy the many live channels and tens of thousands of hours of on-demand content the U.K.-based service provides. The first non-TV device to support the Freely platform will be a plug-in streaming puck delivered by French entertainment technology company Netgem. This puck will enable any TV with an HDMI port to enjoy the full range of Freely channels and features; you'll no longer have to buy a TV from specific brands such as Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Panasonic, Philips and Sharp that have done agreements with Freely to integrate the service into their built-in smart TV systems. Freely doesn't reveal in the announcement about its expanded availability a definite date that its Netgem puck portal will be available or how much the puck might cost. The only information available at this point is that the streaming puck will arrive 'later this year', that it will be 'simple and affordable', and that while it will be designed with the Freely interface at its core and will come with all of the features and content provided by the Freely platform integrated into TVs, it will also sit alongside access to other popular global and local streaming applications. The Freely streaming service, if you're not familiar with it, launched in April 2024 with the backing of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and is designed to give viewers a way of accessing over the Internet many of the TV channels previously only available via the Freeview digital broadcasting service. In other words, Freely is a way of accessing Freeview channels without the need for an aerial/dish receiver, or a device with a built in digital tuner. That's not the full extent of what Freely offers, though; it also provides easy access to tens of thousands of hours of on-demand content, and is accessed through a straightforward interface that seamlessly allows users to find and switch between live and archived shows and films. All of Freely's content, including the on-demand archive, is available without any monthly subscription. Freely's announcement of its first non-TV streaming device deal is well timed, following as it does calls made in a report just last week by UK broadcast regulator Ofcom for a clearer vision and plan on how to enhance the delivery of public service media in today's increasingly streaming-centric age. 'Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone,' comments Everyone TV CEO Jonathan Thompson. 'Expanding to 'plug-in and stream' devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription. In partnership with Netgem, we're launching streaming devices to make it easier than ever for UK audiences to enjoy the nation's favourite TV, for free, on the TV you already have.' Managing Director of Netgem U.K. Sylvain Thevenot adds: 'Netgem is delighted to introduce the first Freely streaming device to the market with Everyone TV. This innovation represents a game-changer for viewers who seek a streamlined TV and entertainment experience delivered over Wi-Fi. The integration of Freely with Netgem's entertainment service positions this streaming puck as the optimal choice for all households and breathes a second life to all TV sets at an affordable price.' — Related Reading Freely Streaming Service To Add 16 New Live Channels Freely Streaming Service Signs Up Two More Major TV Brands Free Streaming Service Freely Adds Four New content Partners
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Freeview successor finally launches Fire TV Stick rival with bonus exclusive free channels not found on Sky
FREEVIEW'S successor Freely will finally be made available as a Fire Stick-like dongle to plug into TVs with a mass of free channels. Telly lovers have been begging for the technology to be packed into a plug-in gadget instead of having to buy a brand new TV. 2 Freely, which launched last year, has only been available built into brand new TVs so far. The advantages over the existing Freeview service is you don't need an aerial to view some of the channels. Instead, you can use broadband and Wi-Fi to beam live channels into your house. Freely is run by Freeview's owner Everyone TV, which itself is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5. BBC Director-General Tim Davie hinted that the technology could be turned into a Fire Stick -style device earlier this year. "We are considering a streaming media device," he said in May. Freely's first "plug-in and stream" gadget will launch later this year, Everyone TV said. TV platform maker Netgem is the first company signed up to produce a Freely-powered gadget. The exact price hasn't been shared yet but bosses said it'll be "affordable". "Freely was created to make free TV work for everyone," said Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Everyone TV. "Expanding to 'plug-in and stream' devices is an important and natural next step to ensure even more homes can enjoy the full Freely experience without the need for a TV upgrade or paid subscription. "In partnership with Netgem, we're launching streaming devices to make it easier than ever for UK audiences to enjoy the nation's favourite TV, for free, on the TV you already have." There are more than 40 live channels that can be streamed via Freely at the moment. But the firm has promised more new and exclusive channels will launch this year. Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun DTT - digital terrestrial television - is the system used for Freeview broadcasts today. About 18million homes still use it as their main way of watching TV. Before we even begin to think about switching it off, we have to make sure no one is left behind. So any internet-based alternative - Freely or otherwise - needs to be just as easy to install and use. Then there's the matter of broadband. The UK needs to have reliable broadband everywhere so everyone has access. Emphasis on reliable - no one wants buffering mid-way through a live football match. So not only will broadband need to be pretty much everywhere it will need to be fast enough to handle demand all the time.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Major sports app lands on more TV screens showing FREE football for millions in ‘game changer'
Scroll down to find out whether you have access to watch Club World Cup games for free WAY TO GOAL! Major sports app lands on more TV screens showing FREE football for millions in 'game changer' A MAJOR sports app is launching on more TV screens, meaning millions will get access to the FIFA Club World Cup for free. The Club World Cup began this weekend and will see 32 teams from all six FIFA confederations compete for the cup in the USA. 3 Millions of Brits now have access to the Club World Cup for free Credit: AP 3 DAZN has the main rights to the tournament Credit: Getty Channel 5 will be showing 23 of the matches for free in the UK, however, all of the matches will be shown by DAZN, which has the main rights to the tournament. And although you may think that you don't have access to DAZN, it has just launched across Netgem devices across the UK, Ireland and Gibraltar. Many internet service providers such as BRSK, Community Fibre, WightFibre and TalkTalk TV offer Netgem TV as part of a TV bundle. This means that if you are with one of these providers, you should be able to watch all the the Club World Cup games for free. Thanks to the deal, Netgem TV users now have access to every premium football game via Prime Video, DAZN, Discovery+ (TNT Sports) and NOW (Sky Sports). DAZN also gives users access to NFL Game Pass, National League TV, FIBA Courtside 1891, major boxing events, MMA, darts, golf, motorsports, and tennis. 'This is a game-changer for sports fans", said Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem Pleio, Streaming services for Operators. "Partnering with DAZN catapults our entertainment offering to a new level for both our customers and telecom operator partners across Europe. "Access to world-class sporting events like this will undoubtedly drive massive customer engagement and satisfaction.' Peter Parmenter, EVP Business Development at DAZN, said: 'This is great news for sports fans in the UK, Ireland and Gibraltar, who will be able to enjoy DAZN's extensive selection of premium sports content in even more ways. Chelsea launch Club World Cup campaign with 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta "We are excited to enter this partnership with Netgem, as we continue to set the standard in digital sports entertainment experiences.' DAZN Club World Cup games will be commentated by pundits including Luke Wileman, Tony Husband, Andres Cantor and Kevin Egan. Alex Scott, Lauren Jbara and Katie Witham will host programmes on the network. Studio analysis and co-commentary will come from the likes of Steve McManaman, Juan Pablo Angel, Brian Dunseth, Mo Adams, Conor Coady and Brad Guzan. 3 Gary Lineker has now agreed a deal with DAZN after stepping down as presenter from BBC's Match of the Day that will see his The Rest Is Football Podcast broadcast highlights of the Club World Cup. The show, which features Alan Shearer and Micah Richards as co-hosts, will show the best bits from matches in the video version of the podcast. The FIFA Club World Cup began on June 14, with the final taking place on July 13. It is being held in 12 cities across the US and teams such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Man City are all in the tournament.
