The shift from traditional television to streaming services continues to gain momentum, with Sky at the forefront of innovation through products like the Stream box and Glass TV. These devices leverage broadband technology to deliver live and on-demand content directly to viewers’ homes, eliminating the need for conventional satellite dishes. While Sky has been a prominent player in this space, new options are emerging.
One such option is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview. Freely offers free access to a variety of popular TV shows, sports events, and movies streamed over broadband. Initially, users had to purchase a new TV with built-in Freely compatibility to access the platform, which posed some inconvenience. However, this changed with the recent launch of the Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling existing televisions to access the service.
Adding to the array of choices is Manhattan’s debut of its first Freely set-top box. Manhattan, known for its successful Freeview boxes resembling Sky Q features, is now venturing into the streaming realm with the introduction of the Aero 4K TV Streamer. Scheduled for release in February, this device offers access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without requiring a monthly subscription. Similar to Sky’s Stream box, all content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for aerials or satellite dishes.
Operating on the acclaimed TiVo OS platform, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+ with approximately 400 free streaming channels and an extensive library of on-demand movies and TV series. The Aero boasts 4K picture quality, voice search capabilities, but lacks the feature to record programs to a hard drive.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, highlighting the Aero’s ability to upgrade any TV affordably and easily 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 will be available for purchase in February 2026, priced at £69.99, and can be found at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.