Brandwave

EE vs Freeview:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Freeview had more branded searches than EE among TV providers in the United Kingdom. Freeview had about 110,000 branded searches, while EE had 22,200. Freeview made up 12.4% of all TV provider searches we track, and EE accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV providers, EE appeared in all five answers and Freeview in two. EE was mentioned before Freeview in every answer.

Among TV providers in the United Kingdom in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Freeview, about 5 searches for every 1 for EE

Freeview 110K searchesEE 22.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

EE, mentioned in every answer we collected

EE in 5 of 5Freeview in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

EE, named ahead of Freeview in every answer

EE first in 5Freeview never first

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Top TV providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, EE appeared in all five answers. Freeview was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. EE was listed before Freeview in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Sky1st
  2. Virgin Media2nd
  3. EE3rd
  4. NOW4th
  5. BT5th
  6. Freely6th
  7. Freeview7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • NOW5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sky5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • EE5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Virgin Media5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • BT4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Freeview2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Freely2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about TV providers

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.

Is EE or Freeview more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for EE and Freeview by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven TV providers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.

EE and Freeview among TV providers in the United Kingdom, by month

Share of searches by month for Freeview, EE. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNOWSkyFreeviewFreelyEEVirgin MediaBT
Oct 202553.2%18.7%10.6%7.2%2.6%6.7%0.96%
Nov 202557.6%16.5%11.6%6.3%2.3%4.9%0.85%
Dec 202560.8%13.5%12.2%8.2%2%2.5%0.73%
Jan 202662.9%16.1%12.6%3.8%2.1%1.7%0.76%
Feb 202664.4%15.8%10.5%3.2%2.1%3.2%0.77%
Mar 202664.6%16.3%10.6%2.6%2.6%2.5%0.78%
Apr 202664.3%15.7%12.9%2.6%2.1%1.8%0.63%
May 202663.9%14.3%10.5%5.7%2.1%2.8%0.63%
Jun 202655.8%18.1%13.6%7.5%2.2%1.9%0.82%
Jul 202663.9%14.9%12.8%3.8%2.1%1.9%0.63%
Aug 202667.2%15.6%9%3.3%2.2%1.9%0.66%
Sep 202662.2%17.1%12.4%3.1%2.5%1.9%0.75%

How has the EE and Freeview comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Freeview was ahead of EE in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, EE’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 2.6% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 22.2K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freeview’s share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom moved from 10.6% to 12.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110K.

How did search popularity change for United Kingdom TV providers in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Freeview gained share of searches among TV providers in the United Kingdom, from 9% to 12.4%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for EE in the United Kingdom fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using EE’s and Freeview’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

EE

1 branded search term

  • ee tv

Freeview

1 branded search term

  • freeview

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among TV providers

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