The trend of moving away from traditional TV towards streaming services continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this shift, introducing innovative devices like the Stream box and Glass TV that leverage broadband technology to deliver live and on-demand content directly to viewers’ homes without the need for a conventional satellite dish. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space with its acclaimed hardware, new options have emerged in the market.
One such alternative is Freely, launched 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 Freely integrated to access the platform, which was somewhat inconvenient. However, a recent development introduced a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling existing TVs to access the service.
Adding to the array of choices is Manhattan’s debut of its first Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes that rival Sky Q features, Manhattan is now shifting focus with the introduction of the Aero 4K TV Streamer. Set to launch in February, this streaming-only 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 Stream box, all content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for traditional aerials or satellite dishes.
Powered by the award-winning TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular apps like 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 boasts 4K picture quality and features voice search functionality, although it does not offer the capability to record programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, expressed enthusiasm about the Aero, highlighting its ability to bring British television content to a broader audience without the burden of monthly fees.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to hit the market in February 2026 at a price of £69.99. Consumers can purchase it from various retailers, including Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.