Sky’s dominance in the streaming sector faces new competition as Freely, a platform offering free access to TV shows, sports, and movies via broadband, gains momentum. Freely, a brainchild of the Freeview team, eliminates the need for viewers to purchase a new TV by introducing a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, allowing access on existing televisions.
Adding to the array of options is Manhattan’s latest offering, the Aero 4K TV Streamer, a departure from their traditional Freeview boxes. Launching in February, the Aero promises access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content, all without a monthly subscription. Similar to Sky’s Stream box, the Aero operates over Wi-Fi, eliminating the requirement for aerials or satellite dishes.
Running on the acclaimed TiVo OS, the Aero not only provides access to Freely but also integrates popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, TiVo+ supplements the experience with 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand content.
Sporting 4K picture quality and voice search functionality, the Aero lacks the ability to record programs to a hard drive. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, lauds the Aero as a cost-effective solution for upgrading any TV with its seamless integration and array of features.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is set to hit the market in February 2026 at a price of £69.99, available at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.