Freely is 'free' but you need to buy a TV with it on, but yes you can plug into the internet and watch Tele like you would over an aerial but without an aerial. You can use both internet and aerial too to get the best of both.
A big pro is that the internet channels are in HD rather than SD.
Cons are:
Limited channels over the internet so far (BBC, ITV, 4 family and 5 family plus UKTV channels)
No +1 channels (the ones that operate an hour behind)
Streaming lag from live of about a minute or more (not ideal for sports fans).
Limited, but getting more,TVs available. And needs a 2024 model (Hisense, Panasonic and Amazon's fire TVs are the main ones. No Samsung or LG).
There is no streaming stick or set top available with Freely on it.
The closest alternative live UK TV-like experience over the internet would be to subscribe to sky glass or stream. They have a plug in puck (stream) so you can use your existing TV.
Other platforms like Roku, fire stick, apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV have the individual players like iPlayer, itv X etc, but you can't channel hop or use a programme guide like 'normal' TV.
I was looking for a 27 inch freely Tele for the bedroom but they don't sell any that small! Starts at 32 inch.