What You Actually Get With Channels+ on Freely TV
If you've recently bought a Freely-compatible TV or one of the new Freely streaming devices, you've probably noticed a feature called Channels+.
For many viewers, it's one of the first things that raises questions.
Is it a subscription service? Does it cost extra? Are the channels really free? Or is it simply another collection of streaming apps?
The name itself can be a little misleading, leading some people to assume that Channels+ is a premium upgrade similar to Sky or Virgin Media channel packs. Fortunately, that's not what it is at all.
Here's everything you need to know about Channels+, what it offers, and why it has become an important part of the Freely experience.
What Is Channels+?
Channels+ is best thought of as a hub for additional internet-delivered television channels.
Unlike the main Freely TV guide, which brings together the UK's public service broadcasters and many traditional live television channels, Channels+ focuses on extra streaming channels delivered entirely over your broadband connection.
Rather than opening separate apps to find more content, Channels+ brings many of these services together in one place, making them easier to discover and watch.
It is designed to complement Freely rather than replace it.
Does Channels+ Cost Anything?
This is probably the question most people ask.
The simple answer is no.
Access to the Channels+ section itself is completely free.
However, what you find inside can vary.
Many of the channels available are entirely free to watch, while others may promote subscription services or offer premium content through third-party providers. In those cases, any payment is between you and the individual streaming service—not Freely or Channels+ itself.
So, browsing Channels+ doesn't mean you've signed up to anything or that you'll suddenly receive a monthly bill.
What Kind of Channels Are Included?
The selection changes over time as new content providers join the platform and others update their offerings.
Depending on your device and when you're using it, you may find:
- specialist entertainment channels
- movie channels
- documentary channels
- children's content
- news services
- lifestyle programming
- music channels
- shopping channels
- themed FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels
Many of these channels stream continuously, much like traditional television, but are delivered over the internet instead of via an aerial or satellite dish.
As Freely continues to grow, more channels are expected to be added. Everyone TV has already expanded the platform several times, with additional broadcasters and themed channels joining during 2026.
Why Doesn't Everything Appear in the Main TV Guide?
Some viewers wonder why Channels+ exists at all.
Why not simply place every channel into the normal programme guide?
The answer largely comes down to how the channels are delivered.
Traditional broadcast channels have fixed channel numbers and are transmitted nationally through terrestrial transmitters.
Many Channels+ services are internet-only streams supplied by different providers, often with changing content or advertising models. Keeping them in a separate section allows Freely to add, remove or update channels much more easily without affecting the main television guide.
It also helps viewers distinguish between traditional broadcast television and internet-delivered streaming channels.
How Does This Compare With Freeview and Freesat?
This is where Freely starts to show how television is evolving.
For decades, platforms like Freeview and Freesat relied almost entirely on broadcast technology.
Freely takes a different approach.
Instead of depending solely on an aerial or satellite dish, it combines live television, catch-up services and streaming channels into a single interface delivered primarily over broadband.
Channels+ is one of the clearest examples of this change.
Rather than limiting viewers to the channels carried on traditional broadcast networks, Freely can continually introduce new streaming channels without needing extra broadcast capacity.
This gives the platform much greater flexibility and allows it to evolve more quickly than conventional television systems.
Do You Need an Aerial?
Not necessarily.
One of Freely's biggest selling points is that most supported devices can stream live television over your internet connection alone.
For viewers with a compatible Freely TV or streaming device, Channels+ works entirely through broadband.
Some Freely devices also support an aerial connection, allowing you to add extra broadcast channels that are not yet available via internet streaming. At present, not every Freeview channel is available over broadband, although Freely says the number continues to grow.
Is Channels+ Worth Using?
Absolutely—especially if you enjoy discovering new content.
Because the service includes many niche and themed channels, it often provides programmes you might never have found through traditional television.
It also offers a convenient way to explore free streaming television without having to install and manage numerous separate apps.
The experience feels much more like browsing television than searching through multiple streaming services.
The Future of Television
Channels+ offers a glimpse into where free television is heading.
Rather than thinking of television as something delivered only through an aerial or satellite dish, platforms like Freely increasingly combine live channels, on-demand viewing and internet streaming into one seamless experience.
As more broadcasters launch free streaming channels and FAST services continue to grow in popularity, features like Channels+ are likely to become even more important.
For viewers, that's good news. It means more choice, more free content and a television platform that can continue expanding without the limitations of traditional broadcasting.
While the name "Channels+" may initially suggest a paid upgrade, the reality is much simpler. It's a convenient gateway to additional internet-delivered television, helping Freely bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and the streaming future.
As Freely continues to evolve, Channels+ is likely to become one of the platform's most valuable features, giving viewers access to an ever-growing range of free content with just a few clicks.
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