For many people setting up a new Freely box, one feature immediately raises questions — Channels+.

The feature appears prominently on devices such as the Netgem Pleio, yet many viewers are unsure exactly what it does, how it works, or whether it costs extra.

At first glance, Channels+ can look like a premium subscription service or an upgrade package. However, the reality is a little more straightforward.

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Channels+ is essentially an area within the Freely platform that brings together additional internet-delivered TV channels alongside the standard live TV services already available through Freely. These channels are streamed over broadband rather than received through a traditional aerial or satellite dish.

This means viewers can access extra entertainment, themed channels, and specialist content directly through the box without needing another separate app or device.

One reason the feature causes confusion is because some channels included within Channels+ are completely free to watch, while others may be linked to optional subscriptions or promotional offers. As a result, many users naturally wonder whether the feature itself is free or whether they are expected to pay.

In most cases, the Channels+ area is simply acting as a central hub where these additional services are presented together in one place. Exactly what appears can vary over time as providers add or remove channels and streaming services.

The arrival of features like Channels+ also highlights how television platforms in the UK are continuing to evolve. Traditional broadcast TV is increasingly blending with internet streaming, creating systems where live channels, catch-up apps and streamed services all sit side-by-side.

For viewers used to platforms like Freesat or Freeview, this represents quite a significant shift. Instead of relying entirely on broadcast signals, newer systems are designed around broadband connectivity and app-based viewing.

Devices like the Netgem Pleio are therefore trying to offer a more flexible viewing experience, combining familiar TV channels with streaming-style navigation and internet-delivered content.

Of course, this also raises questions about the future direction of television in the UK. Many viewers still prefer traditional recording boxes and simple channel lists, while others are increasingly moving towards app-based streaming systems.

For now, Channels+ appears to be one example of how platforms like Freely are trying to bridge those two worlds together.

While the name itself may sound slightly confusing at first, the basic idea is relatively simple — bringing together extra streamed TV content in one accessible place within the Freely interface.

And as internet-based television continues to grow, features like this are likely to become an increasingly familiar part of modern UK TV platforms.