Sky’s move towards streaming continues to gain momentum, with innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV using broadband to deliver content directly to homes. While Sky has been a leader in this space, other options are now emerging.
One such option is Freely, launched in 2024 by the creators of Freeview, offering free access to popular TV shows, sports, and movies over broadband. Initially, viewers required a new TV with built-in Freely, but a recent development introduced a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, making the service accessible on existing televisions.
Adding to the variety, Manhattan has introduced its first Freely set-top box. Known for its Freeview boxes, Manhattan is now focusing on streaming-only devices with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer in February. This device provides access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without the need for a monthly subscription, all delivered over Wi-Fi.
Powered by the TiVo OS, the Aero not only offers Freely but also supports popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+ with around 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand content.
The Aero boasts 4K picture quality, voice search capabilities, but does not allow recording programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, praised the launch, highlighting Aero as an affordable way to upgrade any TV by simply connecting to Wi-Fi.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely will be available in February 2026 for £69.99 at retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.