The shift from traditional television to streaming services continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this movement, introducing innovative devices like the Stream box and Glass TV that use broadband to deliver live and on-demand content directly to viewers’ homes, eliminating the need for a traditional satellite dish. While Sky has been a dominant player in this space, new options are emerging.
One such option is Freely, launched in 2024 with the backing of the Freeview team. Freely offers free access to a variety of popular TV shows, sports events, and movies streamed over broadband. Initially, viewers had to purchase a new TV with Freely built-in to access the platform, which was somewhat inconvenient. However, this changed when a Freely-compatible Pleio puck was introduced last year, allowing existing televisions to connect to the service.
Adding to the array of choices is Manhattan, unveiling its first Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes similar to Sky Q, Manhattan is now shifting focus to a streaming-only device. The Aero 4K TV Streamer is set to launch in February, providing access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without requiring a monthly subscription. Like Sky’s Stream box, the Aero operates over Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for an aerial or satellite dish.
Running on the acclaimed TiVo OS, the Aero not only offers access to Freely but also supports popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+, which features approximately 400 free streaming channels along with a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
True to its name, the Aero supports 4K picture quality and includes voice search functionality, although it does not allow for program recording to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, highlighted the convenience of the Aero, stating, “Just connect to Wi-Fi, and you’ve got live TV, catch-up, and all your favorite streaming apps. It’s a simple, affordable way to enhance any TV without the need for replacement.”
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 like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.
