Sky’s Stream box and Glass TV have been at the forefront of the shift from traditional TV to streaming, utilizing broadband to deliver live and on-demand content directly to homes without the need for a satellite dish. However, the market is evolving, and new players are emerging.
One such player is Freely, introduced in 2024 with the backing of the Freeview team, offering free access to a variety of popular TV shows, sports, and movies over broadband. Initially, viewers had to purchase a new TV with Freely built-in to access the service, but a recent development introduced a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling existing televisions to connect to the platform.
Adding to the choices available to consumers, Manhattan has unveiled its first-ever Freely set-top box. Known for its Freeview boxes akin to Sky Q, Manhattan is now introducing the Aero 4K TV Streamer, set to launch in February. This device promises access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without requiring a monthly subscription. Similar to Sky’s offering, the Aero delivers content over Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for an aerial or satellite dish.
Operating on the TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. The device includes TiVo+, offering approximately 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
Designed for high-quality viewing with 4K picture resolution, the Aero features voice search functionality, although it lacks the capability to record programs to a hard drive.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO of Manhattan, commented on the launch, emphasizing the simplicity and affordability of upgrading any TV with the Aero to access live TV, catch-up content, and favorite streaming apps without the need for a built-in Freely platform.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to be released in February 2026 at a price of £69.99, available from retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.