The shift from traditional television to streaming services continues to gain momentum, with Sky leading the way through innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV. These devices leverage broadband technology to deliver a wide range of live and on-demand content directly to viewers’ homes, eliminating the need for conventional satellite dishes.
In 2024, Freely, a new streaming platform supported by the creators of Freeview, was introduced. It offers free streaming access to popular TV shows, sports events, and movies over the internet. Initially, viewers required a new television with built-in Freely capabilities to access the service, but this changed with the introduction of a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling existing TVs to connect to the platform.
Adding to the array of choices, Manhattan recently unveiled its first Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes, Manhattan is now focusing on streaming-only devices. The Aero 4K TV Streamer, set to launch in February, promises access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without any monthly subscription fees. 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 acclaimed TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+, offering over 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
With a focus on 4K picture quality and featuring voice search functionality, the Aero does not offer the capability to record programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, emphasized the simplicity and affordability of upgrading any TV to access Freely through the Aero device.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to be released in February 2026, priced at £69.99, and will be available at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.