A shift from traditional television to streaming continues to gain momentum with no signs of slowing down. 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 households, eliminating the need for conventional satellite dishes. While Sky has been a dominant player in this arena, other options have emerged in the market.
Freely, launched in 2024 and supported by the creators of Freeview, 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 built-in Freely capabilities to access the platform, which was inconvenient. However, a more accessible option became available last year with the introduction of a Freely-compatible Pleio puck, enabling users to enjoy the service on existing televisions.
Adding to the array of choices is Manhattan, which recently unveiled its first Freely set-top box. Known for its successful Freeview boxes that rival Sky Q features, Manhattan is now concentrating on streaming-only devices with the launch of the Aero 4K TV Streamer in February. This device offers access to 60 live TV channels and over 75,000 hours of on-demand content without requiring a monthly subscription. Similar to Sky’s Stream box, content is delivered via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for antennas or satellite dishes.
Operating on the acclaimed TiVo OS, the Aero provides access to Freely as well as popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube. It also includes TiVo+ with a selection of around 400 free streaming channels and a vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
Equipped with 4K picture quality and voice search functionality, the Aero does not support recording programs to a hard drive.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO of Manhattan, expressed excitement about the launch, highlighting the Aero’s role in delivering a cost-effective solution to upgrade any TV by connecting to Wi-Fi for live TV, catch-up services, and favorite streaming apps.
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely will be available for purchase in February 2026, priced at £69.99, and can be found at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.