Sky’s shift from traditional TV to streaming continues to gain momentum, with innovations like the Stream box and Glass TV utilizing broadband for live and on-demand content delivery. While Sky has been a pioneer in this space, new players are entering the field.
One such entrant is Freely, introduced in 2024 and supported by the Freeview team, offering free streaming of popular TV shows, sports, and movies over broadband. Initially, users needed a new TV with built-in Freely, but the recent introduction of a Freely-compatible Pleio puck now allows access on existing televisions.
Adding to the options is Manhattan’s debut of its first Freely set-top box. Known for its Freeview boxes similar to Sky Q, Manhattan is now focusing on streaming-only solutions with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer in February. This device boasts 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, everything is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for traditional aerial or satellite dishes.
Powered by TiVo OS, the Aero not only supports Freely but also provides access to popular apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, TiVo+ offers around 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand content. The Aero supports 4K picture quality, features voice search functionality, but lacks the capability to record programs to a hard drive.
Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, highlighted the convenience of the Aero, stating that it offers a simple and cost-effective way to upgrade any TV by connecting to Wi-Fi for live TV, catch-up services, and access to favorite streaming apps. The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely will be available for purchase in February 2026 at £69.99 through retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.