FREELY. Live TV over broadband 2024

[Ham_and_Jam]

At last. A full live TV service over IP, including a full EPG.

Freely is owned and supported by BBC, ITV, C4 and C5, and they have said it will replicate a terrestial TV experience.

Can’t believe it’s taken this long, but it seems we might be able to finally cut the cord next year.

https://www.everyonetv.co.uk/news/press-release/ne...

[x5tuu]

If they make this an app for iOS / ATV / GoogleTV etc it would be outstanding, I’d expect many like myself would be happy to pay for that app - very long overdue!

[Digger]

How would the BBC TV Licence be affected?

[Ham_and_Jam]

Digger said:

How would the BBC TV Licence be affected?

It won’t. For now anyway.

[x5tuu]

Digger said:

How would the BBC TV Licence be affected?

Same as now I’d expect - (from Google) You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch programmes live on any online TV service - such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now or Sky Go. You don't need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on demand programmes on any TV service apart from BBC iPlayer.

[NaePasaran]

Digger said:

How would the BBC TV Licence be affected?

It won't. If you watch any BBC programmes whether "live" or on catch-up, you need a TV licence.

If you watch any other TV that is "live" whether online, or the more traditional methods, you need a TV licence.

[Digger]

So Freely wouldn't be entirely free then? Initially. . .

[Ham_and_Jam]

Digger said:

So Freely wouldn't be entirely free then? Initially. . .

You could say the same about FREEVIEW and FREESAT.

It’s the platform that is free, not the BBCs licence fee.

[Digger]

True

What would be interesting is whether you wont be able to watch BBC channels on FREELY unless proof of a paid-for licence.

[Bikerjon]

Nice to have as it saves getting a dish/aerial installed and keeps everything within one app, but it might not be a huge deal for the younger generation who are now so used to streaming everything that the concept of "live TV" isn't quite the same as it once was!

[dickymint]

Bikerjon said:

Nice to have as it saves getting a dish/aerial installed and keeps everything within one app, but it might not be a huge deal for the younger generation who are now so used to streaming everything that the concept of "live TV" isn't quite the same as it once was!

I have a BT Youview Pro box. No dish/aerial and everything I watch live or otherwise is streamed, also 4K UHD, Atmos and recordable.

[the-norseman]

Most of these channels you can watch live via apps anyway now.

[nutsyH]

Firestick does all that and more.

[Ham_and_Jam]

nutsyH said:

Firestick does all that and more.

It really doesn’t. I have one.

This is EPG based live TV through IP, not individual apps. From what I’ve read it may also record streams as per traditional TV.

[Ham_and_Jam]

dickymint said:

I have a BT Youview Pro box. No dish/aerial and everything I watch live or otherwise is streamed, also 4K UHD, Atmos and recordable.

That sounds great and very similar, but I think the IP side of the BT is all behind a paywall?

[Mr Pointy]

Let's hope they insist all the channels are delivered at a decent resolution & bandwidth & not some of the low bitrate rubbish that ITV & C4 push out at the moment. 4K is unlikley but if it's not HD 1920x1080 it shouldn't be on there.

[Digger]

I would think 4K is a given?

eta a whole word that was missing

Edited by Digger on Tuesday 19th September 22:37

[Supersam83]

Just a quick question: If it's IPTV then with the delays etc it can't really be classed as live TV therefore the BBC licence fee would not apply?

[Mr Pointy]

Digger said:

I would 4K is a given?

I doubt it - the vast majority of material available is HD at best & upscaling at source to 4K would massively increase the server storage requirements.

The majority of the planet still watches TV in SD & even the UK the majority of channels are SD.

[PF62]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Freely is owned and supported by BBC, ITV, C4 and C5, and they have said it will replicate a terrestial TV experience.

Pointing a camera at a bucket of st and streaming that would replicate the BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 terrestial TV experience most evenings.