Get Freely TV on an older smart TV
— no new screen required.
Freely ships built into brand-new 2024–2026 televisions. Here’s how to get the exact same live, aerial-free TV experience on the set you already own.
A standalone streaming puck like Netgem PLEIO plugs into any spare HDMI port and brings full Freely access to any existing television, no aerial, no satellite, no new hardware to mount on the wall.
TV → HDMI → PLEIO puck → home WiFi → full Freely EPG
Why can’t older TVs stream Freely automatically?
If apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 already work fine on your current TV, it’s fair to ask why Freely isn’t just another download from the app store.
Freely is a next-generation platform built by Everyone TV, the team behind Freeview. It replaces the traditional TV guide entirely, pulling live broadcasts straight over the internet instead of an aerial or satellite dish. Because it controls how live channels switch and stream in real time, it needs specialised software built into the television itself. Until now, the only way in was a brand-new 2024–2026 model with Freely pre-installed.
The solution: a standalone Freely streaming box
You don’t need to replace a perfectly good television just to get onto internet-led broadcasting. The Netgem PLEIO puck is the first dedicated, standalone streaming hub built to bring the complete Freely ecosystem to any television with a spare HDMI port.
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1Plug into HDMI 30 SECONDS
Connect the pocket-sized PLEIO puck directly into any spare HDMI socket on the back or side of your existing TV.
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2Connect to power USB-C
Attach the included power cable to give the device a steady, high-performance power supply.
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3Link to WiFi MIN. 10MBPS
Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input and follow the on-screen prompts to connect the puck to your home broadband router. No aerial or satellite connection needed.
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4Launch Freely FREE FOREVER
Open the unified electronic programme guide to browse, pause, and stream your favourite live channels immediately.
What do you get on an upgraded TV?
Adding a hardware puck to an older TV doesn’t just match a new smart screen’s features, it actually adds capabilities most smart TVs don’t have built in.
Free live UK channels
Full integrated access to BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, plus their complete catch-up libraries.
Zero aerial dependencies
Ideal for high-rise flats, rented properties, or homes with a broken roof-top aerial. Everything streams over broadband.
An expanded lineup
On top of the standard Freely guide, PLEIO overlays 150+ themed live channels spanning sport, documentaries, and family entertainment.
Console-free gaming
A wireless Bluetooth gamepad is included. The puck doubles as a low-latency cloud gaming machine with 300+ titles, including Overcooked 2 and Hot Wheels Unleashed, no downloads required.
The cost breakdown
Live Freely TV requires only your standard UK TV Licence. The £99 PLEIO package includes the puck, the gaming controller, and a 12-month inclusive pass to the extra channels and cloud gaming catalogue.
How to get Freely TV: quick answers
How do I get Freely TV on a TV that isn’t Freely-certified?
Plug a standalone streaming puck, such as Netgem PLEIO, into a spare HDMI port. It installs the full Freely guide on any existing television in under a minute, without needing a new smart TV.
Do I need an aerial to get Freely TV?
No. Freely streams every channel over your home broadband connection instead of an aerial or satellite dish, so it works even in flats and rented homes without rooftop access.
Is there a subscription to get Freely TV working?
Core Freely live TV is free forever with a standard UK TV Licence. With PLEIO, the one-off £99 also unlocks 12 months of extra channels and cloud gaming, which then continues at £9.99/month only if you choose to keep it.
What internet speed do I need to get Freely TV streaming smoothly?
A minimum of 10Mbps is recommended for stable live streaming and switching between channels without buffering.
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