The trend of moving away from traditional TV toward streaming services continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this shift with innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV, utilizing broadband to deliver live and on-demand content directly to homes without the need for a traditional satellite dish. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space with its acclaimed hardware, other options are now emerging.
Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview, offers free access to popular TV programs, sports, and movies streamed over the internet. Initially, viewers required a new television with built-in Freely capabilities to access this platform, which was somewhat inconvenient. However, this changed recently with the introduction of a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, allowing existing TVs to access the service.
Adding to the array of choices, Manhattan has unveiled its first-ever Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes that offered features similar to Sky Q, Manhattan is now shifting 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, the Aero operates over Wi-Fi, eliminating the necessity for an aerial or satellite dish.
Powered by the award-winning TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also offers popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+, which offers approximately 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
As its name implies, the Aero supports 4K picture quality and features voice search functionality; however, it does not offer the capability to record programs to a hard drive.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO of Manhattan, expressed excitement about the launch, stating, “Freely is an excellent new platform that delivers top British television over broadband without monthly fees – but not all TVs come equipped with it. Aero resolves this issue. Simply connect to Wi-Fi, and you’ll have access to live TV, catch-up content, and all your favorite streaming apps. It’s a straightforward and cost-effective way to enhance any TV without needing a replacement.”
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to be released in February 2026 at a price of £69.99 and will be available from various retailers including Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.