The trend of moving away from traditional television towards streaming services continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this shift, offering innovative devices like the Stream box and Glass TV that leverage broadband technology to deliver both live and on-demand content directly to homes, eliminating the need for conventional satellite dishes. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space with its acclaimed hardware, there are now other alternatives emerging.
One such alternative is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the team behind Freeview, which provides free access to popular TV shows, sports, and movies through broadband streaming. Initially, users required a new TV with built-in Freely to access the platform, which posed some inconvenience. However, this changed recently with the introduction of a 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. Known for its successful Freeview boxes offering similar features to Sky Q, Manhattan is now shifting its focus with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer in February. This new streaming-only device promises access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without the need for a monthly subscription. Like Sky’s Stream box, all content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the requirement for an aerial or satellite dish.
Powered by the award-winning TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also supports popular apps such as 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.
As implied by its name, the Aero offers 4K picture quality, features voice search functionality, but lacks the capability to record programs to a hard drive.
Regarding the launch, Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, expressed excitement, stating, “Freely is an excellent new platform that delivers top British programming over broadband with no monthly fees – however, many TVs lack built-in support for it. Aero addresses this issue. Simply connect to Wi-Fi, and you’ll have access to live TV, catch-up services, and all your favorite streaming apps. It’s a straightforward and cost-effective way to enhance any TV without replacing it.”
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely will be available for purchase in February 2026, priced at £69.99, and will be sold at retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.