The transition from traditional TV to streaming continues to gain momentum without any signs of slowing down. Sky has been at the forefront of this shift with innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV, using broadband to deliver live and on-demand content directly to homes instead of relying on traditional satellite dishes. While Sky’s cutting-edge technology has dominated the market, alternatives are now emerging.
Enter Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview, offering free access to popular TV shows, sports, and movies streamed over the internet. Initially, users required a new TV with built-in Freely to access the platform, which posed some inconvenience. However, this changed with the recent introduction of the Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling access on existing televisions.
Adding to the array of choices, Manhattan has unveiled its first-ever Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes akin to Sky Q, Manhattan is now shifting its focus with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer in February. This device promises access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without the need for a monthly subscription. Similar to Sky’s Stream box, content is delivered over Wi-Fi, eliminating the requirement for an aerial or dish.
Powered by the award-winning TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also integrates popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it features 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, includes voice search functionality but lacks the ability to record programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, expressed excitement about the launch, highlighting the Aero’s ability to upgrade any TV simply by connecting to Wi-Fi.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to be released in February 2026 at a price of £69.99. It will be available for purchase from retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.