BRITS are to receive 10 free new channels on their TVs after a major broadcasting deal was revealed at Cannes.
The new channels will include classic shows and top movies.
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It comes after Everyone TV announced a new wave of content partnerships for Freely, the free streaming platform backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5.
Freely brings together live and on-demand TV in one place.
The new channels were revealed at Marché International des Programmes de Communication (MIPCOM), the annual trade show for the television industry, in Cannes.
Freely confirmed at the event they are working with Hearst Networks, Bloomberg TV+ and others to bring 10 additional streaming channels to the platform in 2026.
The new channels include Blaze, Bloomberg TV+, Talking Pictures TV, Gemporia and Local TV.
Five of the new channels will be launched by existing Freely partner AMC Networks International UK.
Joint venture
These include True Crime UK, Evidence of Evil and Bloodline Detectives through its joint venture with Paramount.
Freely, which surpassed 500,000 weekly users earlier this year, is already available on new smart TVs from manufacturers.
These include Hisense, Bush, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp, TCL, Amazon Fire TVs and METZ.
‘Plug-in and stream’ devices are also on the way, making it even easier for households to upgrade to the new platform.
At Cannes, Freely also released new research from Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates.
Freely said the research shows free-to-air channels such as U&Dave score highest among audiences for making people feel “relaxed” (32 per cent).
It also, added Freely, showed the channels score high for leaving people feeling “entertained” (53 per cent), and lowest for making people feel anxious (2 per cent).
The research compared free-to-air channels with other channels and global streaming and video services, said Freely.
Scaling up
Jonathan Thompson, the chief executive officer of Everyone TV, said: “This latest round of content partners marks another step forward for Freely as we scale up the platform for viewers and partners alike.
“The research we’re releasing today shows just how much audiences still value British free-to-air television – not just the flagship channels, but the wider family of channels that continue to surprise and entertain us.
“Freely brings all of that together in one place, for free, and it’s exciting to see the momentum behind it as we look to the year ahead.”
Omar Oakes, an independent media journalist and Cannes event host, added: “There’s huge interest in how broadcasters and partners are adapting to new viewing habits, and it’s vital that free-to-air programming stays relevant in the streaming age.
“Today’s discussion at MIPCOM underlined how fast the TV industry is changing and how smart collaboration can make it stronger.”
The full line-up of new channels set to launch in 2026
- Hearst Networks – Blaze
- Bloomberg TV+ – Bloomberg News
- AMC Networks International UK – True Crime UK; Evidence of Evil; Bloodline Detectives; Love After Lock Up; AMC Reality.
- Talking Pictures TV – Movie Channel
- Gemporia – Shopping channel
- Local TV – Local TV Channels (11 variations based on location including London TV, Liverpool TV, Leeds TV, Birmingham TV, Latest TV and KM TV)
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