The shift from traditional television to streaming services continues to gain momentum. Sky has been at the forefront of this movement 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 conventional satellite dish. While Sky’s cutting-edge hardware has been a dominant force in the market, new options are emerging.
One such alternative is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview, offering free streaming of popular TV shows, sports, and movies over broadband. Initially, access to this platform required a new television with built-in Freely functionality, posing some inconvenience to viewers. However, a recent development introduced a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling existing TVs to access the service.
Expanding the array of choices, Manhattan has unveiled its first-ever Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes similar to Sky Q, Manhattan is now focusing on a new streaming-specific device. The Aero 4K TV Streamer, set to launch in February, provides 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, content is streamed via Wi-Fi, eliminating the necessity for an aerial or satellite dish.
Powered by the acclaimed TiVo OS, the Aero not only grants access to Freely but also supports popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, it includes TiVo+ with approximately 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
Featuring 4K picture quality and voice search functionality, the Aero does not support program recording to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, highlighting how the Aero enhances any TV by providing live TV, catch-up services, and streaming apps through a simple Wi-Fi connection.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely will be available for purchase in February 2026 at £69.99 from retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.