Usually not by updating the TV itself. Freely is available on selected new TVs and devices, and an older set will not gain it from a software update unless the manufacturer lists it as supported. The usual workaround is a Freely-capable box or streaming device connected to the TV's HDMI port.
Quick answer: Check the manufacturer's Freely compatibility list for your exact TV model first. If it is not on it, a Freely-capable box on an HDMI input is the route. You also need decent broadband and, as with any live TV, a TV Licence. Confirm the current device list on Freely's official website, since it changes.
What is Freely, and why is it not an update?
Freely launched in 2024 from Everyone TV, the company behind Freeview and Freesat. It delivers live channels over your broadband connection rather than through an aerial or dish. It relies on software built into supported TVs and devices, so older sets that were never built with it do not get it automatically. Our free legal live TV guide explains where Freely fits among the other free options.
How do you check whether your TV already supports it?
- Find your TV's exact model number (on the back label or in Settings under About or Support; wording varies).
- Look at the manufacturer's Freely compatibility list, or Freely's own list of supported products.
- If your TV is on it, check whether Freely arrives through a software update, and install any pending updates.
- If it is not on the list, assume it is not supported.
Do not rely on a list you saw in a video or article, because the supported range keeps growing. Look on the day.
What are the options for an older TV?
| Option | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Freely-capable box or streaming device | A free HDMI port and your broadband | Check the maker's product page confirms Freely support for that exact model |
| The broadcasters' own apps | A TV or stick that runs them | BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 offer live streams in their apps |
| Freeview via an aerial | A working aerial and a Freeview tuner | Free-to-air channels without using broadband |
| A free channel platform | Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV and similar | Different line-ups to Freely |
A box is simply a separate device that does the work, so the TV only has to show a picture. Any TV with a spare HDMI input can use one.
What do you need besides the box?
- Broadband. Freely streams over the internet, so a stable connection matters. A wired connection is steadier than weak Wi-Fi where you can run one.
- A TV Licence. Watching or recording live TV on any service, including Freely, needs one.
- A modern HDMI connection. If your TV is very old and lacks HDMI, check what inputs it has before buying anything.
If that didn't work
If you are unsure whether a particular box or TV works, gather your TV's model number, the box you are considering, and the exact wording of the manufacturer's compatibility statement. Then check Freely's official site, or ask the retailer to confirm Freely support in writing before you buy, so you can return it if it is wrong.
Tell us your TV make and approximate age, and we will help you work out the simplest way to get live TV on it.