The trend towards streaming over traditional TV continues to gain momentum, with Sky leading the charge through innovative devices like the Stream box and Glass TV. The shift to using broadband for delivering live and on-demand content directly to households rather than relying on traditional satellite dishes has been a key driver in this evolution. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space with its acclaimed hardware, new alternatives are now emerging.
One such alternative is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the team behind Freeview. Freely offers free access to a range of popular TV shows, sports events, and movies streamed over broadband. Initially, viewers required a new TV with built-in Freely to access this service, which posed some inconvenience. However, a recent development addressed this issue with the introduction of a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling access to the platform on existing televisions.
Expanding the options further is Manhattan, which has unveiled its first-ever Freely set-top box. Known for its popular Freeview boxes offering similar functionalities to Sky Q, Manhattan is now focusing on a new streaming-only device. The Aero 4K TV Streamer is set to launch in February, promising access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without the need for a monthly subscription. Like Sky’s Stream box, content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the requirement for an aerial or satellite dish.
Running on the award-winning TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+, offering approximately 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
The Aero, designed for 4K picture quality, features voice search functionality but lacks the capability to record programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, emphasized the simplicity and affordability of upgrading any TV without replacement by connecting to Wi-Fi for access to live TV, catch-up services, and favorite streaming apps.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is scheduled for release in February 2026, priced at £69.99, and will be available at retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.