The trend towards streaming services over traditional TV continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this shift with innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV, utilizing broadband technology to deliver both live and on-demand content directly to homes, eliminating the need for traditional satellite dishes. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space, other options have emerged.
One such alternative is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview. Freely offers free access to a range of popular TV shows, sports events, and movies streamed via broadband. Initially, consumers required a new TV with built-in Freely capability to access this service, which was somewhat inconvenient. However, the introduction of the Freely-compatible Pleio puck last year made it possible for existing televisions to access the platform.
Now, Manhattan has entered the scene by introducing its first-ever Freely set-top box.
Manhattan, renowned for its successful Freeview boxes similar to Sky Q, is now shifting its focus with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer. Scheduled for release 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. Like Sky’s Stream box, all content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for traditional aerials or satellite dishes.
The Aero operates on the award-winning TiVo OS, offering users access not only to Freely but also to popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+, which provides approximately 400 free streaming channels along with a vast library of on-demand movies and TV series.
Designed for high-quality viewing, the Aero supports 4K picture resolution and features voice search functionality, although it does not include the ability to record programs to a hard drive.
In a statement, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO of Manhattan, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “Freely is an excellent new platform that brings British television content over broadband without monthly fees – yet many TVs lack built-in access. Aero addresses this gap, offering a simple and affordable way to upgrade any TV by providing live TV, catch-up services, and popular streaming apps through a Wi-Fi connection without the need for a TV replacement.”
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer featuring Freely will be available for purchase in February 2026 at a price of £69.99 and can be found at retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.
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