GB News Joins Freely

GB News has signed up to Freely, the first free UK TV service to deliver live television over broadband, along with U.S. players AMC Networks and PBS.

Unveiling the news at a Content London event, the broadcaster-backed Freely said it now has more than 40 streamed live channels integrated with 74,000 hours of on-demand content from 11 different players.

GB News is a high-profile new joiner and moves in alongside BBC News. The right-leaning channel has amassed a small but loyal following since 2021 launch, with hosts including Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Freely said GB News will “provide news and opinion via its live TV channel, over Wi-Fi.”  

GB News comes aboard along with AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI UK) and PBS America. AMCNI UK, which owns and operates a portfolio of entertainment channels under a JV with Paramount Global, will bring live streams of free-to-air channels including the Legend network and the investigative True Crime.

Freely, which is run by Freeview operator Everyone TV, launched earlier this year and has since set about striking distribution deals and adding to its library. It recently said it hit a milestone of having more content than any streamer in the UK at around 70,000 hours.

Everyone TV CEO Jonathan Thompson said: “These new collaborations mark a significant milestone as Freely continues to redefine the streaming experience, offering something for everyone, with content across a variety of genres. From groundbreaking storytelling to rich historical programming and an engaging shopping experience, we are excited to offer an increasingly competitive free viewing experience with these new channels and on demand players.”

Thompson was speaking about the future of Freely alongside PBS Distribution President Andrea and Tanya Gugenheim, AMCNI’s SVP Business Development.