The future of television is increasingly shifting towards streaming services, with Sky making significant investments in innovative technologies like Sky Glass and the Sky Stream box, which have gained popularity in the UK for their user-friendly setup that eliminates the need for engineer visits or satellite dishes.
While Sky remains a top choice due to its extensive channel lineup and features, new alternatives are emerging. One such option is Freely, allowing households to access live and on-demand TV without an aerial and without requiring a monthly subscription, giving it an advantage over Sky.
Previously, Freely was only integrated into the latest TV models from brands such as Hisense, Panasonic, and Sharp, leaving older TV sets or those from brands like Samsung and LG without access. However, a new device called the PLEIO Puck, developed by Netgem, has been launched to bridge this gap.
The PLEIO Puck is a compact box that provides full access to Freely on any TV. Simple to set up, users just need to plug it into an HDMI port, connect to broadband, and start enjoying over 40 channels for free, along with features like pausing live TV and an interactive guide for easy navigation.
In addition to Freely, the Puck also supports popular streaming apps like Disney+ and Netflix, offers over 200 games, and features full voice control capabilities. Priced at £99, the package includes the PLEIO Puck, a voice remote, a gamepad controller, and a three-month trial of the Netgem PLEIO subscription, which provides access to cloud games and extra channels. Subsequently, the subscription is optional at £9.99 per month.
Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK, expressed pride in launching PLEIO as a comprehensive solution in response to the evolving entertainment market’s challenges, offering a seamless viewing experience for fiber broadband-connected homes.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore highlighted the overdue need for devices like PLEIO, emphasizing consumers’ demand for affordable content viewing options amidst rising subscription costs. He cautioned against the fragmentation of viewing options and illegal streaming due to escalating subscription prices driven by increased sports broadcasting expenses.