Manhattan TV has launched the Aero 4K TV Streamer – a £69.99 streaming box that brings Freely to any existing television, undercutting the only other standalone Freely device by £50.
The British TV device manufacturer announced the Aero today, with the device powered by TiVo OS, supporting over 60+ live channels, and launching in February 2026 through major retailers including Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.
The timing is significant – just fourteen months after Manhattan firmly declared they wouldn’t be “jumping on the Freely bandwagon,” they’re doing exactly that with a device positioned to seriously challenge the Netgem Pleio’s early dominance.
For anyone who’s been waiting for an affordable way to get Freely without buying a whole new TV – or who baulked at paying nearly £120 for the alternative – this changes the equation entirely.
- February 19 Update: My full Manhattan Aero review.
Freely’s Standalone Box Market Suddenly Gets Competitive
When Freely launched in April 2024, it was exclusive to brand new smart TVs from manufacturers like Hisense, Bush, Panasonic, and Amazon’s Fire TV sets. If you wanted Freely, you needed to replace your entire television.
That limitation frustrated millions of viewers with perfectly good TVs who were curious about Freely – Everyone TV’s streaming platform designed to eventually replace traditional Freeview and Freesat by delivering live channels and catch-up content entirely through broadband.
The demand is clearly there. Freely is forecast to become the UK’s largest TV device platform within five years, providing the primary platform in 7 million homes by 2030.
Research from YouGov found that over 70% of Samsung and LG users want Freely on their next TV – but most aren’t ready to replace perfectly functional televisions just to access the platform.
The Netgem Pleio launched in November 2025 as the first standalone solution, selling out within hours at £99. But after a recent price increase to £119.88 and its mandatory gaming bundle, the market was ripe for alternatives.
Humax has confirmed a Freely recorder is under development, with announcements expected “in the next few weeks” – likely a hybrid device combining Freely streaming with traditional aerial-based recording.
Manhattan is now beating Humax to market with a pure streaming solution that costs significantly less than the Pleio.
What Is The Manhattan Aero?
Manhattan TV has been manufacturing Freeview and Freesat devices in Britain for over 30 years. They’re the company behind the popular T4-R Freeview recorder and T4 Freeview Play box – devices known for responsive interfaces, solid build quality, and competitive pricing.
The company has always used their own custom operating system across their entire range, giving them complete control over the user experience and keeping devices affordable through streamlined development.
The Aero marks a significant departure for Manhattan, running someone else’s software.
By licensing TiVo OS, Manhattan gains instant access to a mature streaming platform with built-in support for major services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube, alongside Freely’s live TV and catch-up integration.
TiVo achieved Freely certification from Everyone TV just last month, specifically for “puck-style” streaming devices. The timing suggests Manhattan has been working on the Aero for months, waiting for TiVo’s certification to go through before announcing.
What You’re Getting
The Aero delivers 60+ live Freely channels (including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5, and dozens more) plus over 75,000 hours of on-demand content from the major broadcasters’ catch-up services (iPlayer, ITVX, etc) – all accessible without an aerial or satellite dish.
On top of Freely, TiVo OS provides access to subscription streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video require separate subscriptions), plus TiVo+ – a free ad-supported service offering 400+ streaming channels and a library of on-demand movies and shows.
The device supports 4K output and includes TiVo Voice for voice-controlled search across live and on-demand content.
Unlike the WiFi-only Pleio, the Aero includes an Ethernet port for wired network connections – addressing one of the common complaints about Netgem’s device.
Setup is straightforward: connect the Aero to your TV via HDMI, plug in power, connect to your broadband (either WiFi or Ethernet), and you’re watching Freely channels within minutes.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, frames it simply: “Freely is a brilliant new platform that delivers Great British Telly over broadband with no monthly bills – but there are millions of TVs out there that don’t have it built in. Aero fixes that.”
What’s Missing
There’s no aerial port on the Aero. This is a streaming-only device, delivering everything through your internet connection.
That positioning makes sense when you consider Manhattan’s existing lineup. The T4-R recorder and T4 Freeview Play box already cover traditional aerial-based Freeview with recording and live pause capabilities.
Adding Freely to those devices would create a complex hybrid – requiring support for both traditional broadcast tuners and streaming infrastructure, managing two separate channel guides, and explaining to customers when they’re watching via aerial versus broadband.
When Manhattan dismissed Freely back in November 2024, their concerns centred on Freely’s limitations compared to Freeview – fewer channels, no recording, limited pause functionality. Those remain valid criticisms.
But rather than compromise their existing Freeview recorders with Freely integration, Manhattan has created a separate streaming-first device for a different use case entirely.
The Aero targets households where aerial reception is poor, second rooms without aerial connections, rental properties where installing aerials isn’t practical, and anyone ready to embrace streaming-first television without the baggage of traditional broadcast infrastructure.
For viewers who want recording, the T4-R remains available. For those happy with streaming and catch-up services, the Aero offers a cheaper, simpler alternative.
The TiVo OS Question
Using TiVo OS instead of Manhattan’s own software is unusual, but it solves one major problem: app availability.
Manhattan’s custom interface works brilliantly for Freeview functions, but it doesn’t run Android apps or have established relationships with major streaming services.
Building those integrations from scratch would take years and significant development resources.
TiVo OS comes with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, and hundreds of other apps already working. That’s a big advantage for a device positioning itself as an all-in-one streaming solution.
However, TiVo OS isn’t Fire TV or Roku – you’re not getting access to every streaming app under the sun. The platform supports major services and popular apps, but niche or regional streaming services might be missing.
We’ll need to see the full app list once the device launches to know exactly what’s available beyond the headline services Manhattan has confirmed.
Aero vs Pleio: The Head-To-Head
The most direct comparison is with the Netgem Pleio, currently the only other standalone Freely box available to buy.
Price: The Aero costs £69.99. The Pleio now costs £119.88 after a recent price increase. That’s a £50 difference – nearly 42% cheaper for Manhattan’s device.
Platform: The Aero runs TiVo OS with full access to major streaming apps. The Pleio runs Android TV 14, but with a locked-down implementation that prevents sideloading and restricts customisation. Both have their advantages – TiVo’s polish versus Android’s broader app compatibility – but neither offers the complete freedom of a standard streaming stick.
Connectivity: The Aero includes both WiFi and Ethernet. The Pleio is WiFi only.
Gaming: The Pleio bundles a wireless gamepad and includes 12 months of cloud gaming access (250+ games) plus 150+ extra FAST channels as part of its subscription price.
The Aero doesn’t focus on gaming, but does support Netflix Games on TV (if you have a Netflix subscription), with a third-party gaming service expected to be supported in the future.
However, there’s no bundled controller, and gaming clearly isn’t the device’s priority.
However, TiVo+ provides 400+ free FAST channels and on-demand content without requiring any subscription beyond the initial purchase.
Positioning: The Pleio markets itself as a multi-purpose entertainment device – Freely plus gaming plus extra channels, with the subscription model treating the hardware as part of a service bundle.
The Aero positions itself as a straightforward Freely box with streaming apps – you buy it once, it’s yours, no subscriptions or ongoing fees (beyond any streaming services you choose to subscribe to separately).
For buyers who want cloud gaming and don’t mind the higher price, the Pleio remains the only option. For everyone else who just wants Freely and major streaming apps without paying extra for features they won’t use, the Aero’s pricing is significantly more attractive.
The Humax Factor
Humax discontinued their Aura Freeview recorder just last week, confirming “exciting new products” with announcements coming “in the next few weeks.”
We know a Humax Freely recorder is under development – tentatively called the “Aura EZ 4K Freely Recorder” in early documentation, though that name may not be final.
It appears to be a hybrid device combining Freely streaming with an aerial port for traditional Freeview channels and recording capability (likely only from aerial broadcasts, not streaming).
If Humax launches their device at a similar price point to their previous recorders (£200-300), the Aero immediately looks like excellent value for anyone who doesn’t need recording.
Even if Humax comes in cheaper, Manhattan has claimed the affordable end of the Freely box market with a device that costs less than most streaming sticks whilst delivering a complete Freely experience.
The Humax box will appeal to viewers who value recording and want both Freely and traditional Freeview in one device.
The Aero and Pleio appeal to everyone else – people ready to ditch aerials entirely, households adding Freely to second TVs, and anyone prioritising affordability over recording features they might not use anyway.
Bottom Line
Until just a few months ago, the Freely market was somewhat dormant. If you wanted Freely, you needed to buy a brand new TV – end of discussion.
Now we have two standalone devices available (with at least one more coming soon), channel numbers are expanding rapidly with Warner Bros. Discovery’s entire portfolio joining, and manufacturers are competing on price and features. Freely is heating up.
The lack of recording will bother plenty of viewers – and rightly so. The upcoming Humax box might address that in part, though you’d likely need both broadband and an aerial to make it work.
But like it or not, this is the direction television is heading. Streaming and on-demand are replacing recording, whether we’re ready for it or not.
The Pleio saw big success at launch, selling out repeatedly despite stock issues and later price increases. Now it faces a serious fight, with the Aero coming in at £69.99 versus £119.88. That’s a massive price gap for what appear to be broadly comparable devices.
We’ll reserve final judgement until we can thoroughly review the Aero when it launches in February. But on paper, Manhattan has positioned themselves well – undercutting the competition whilst leveraging their reputation for reliable, well-designed TV devices.
If you’ve been waiting for an affordable way to try Freely without replacing your entire TV, February 2026 is when the wait ends.
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Current predictions say that Freesat and Freeview likely to close by 2035 so that gives a decade for a Freeview recorder with Freely streaming to be relevant and then could function as just Freely after that. (Same with Freesat).
So hopefully enough market opportunity for Manhattan or others to launch such a device even if they had to configure it to only record on Freeview to meet streaming producers’ desire to control their content.
So do we go for Aero or keep fingers crossed and wait?
So what can we expect next from Manhattan? Have they been forced to give up on the dream of Freely recording? The Aero looks tempting but it’s frustrating if you jump for it and then something more comprehensive from Manhattan arrives soon after. A bit of crystal ball gazing would be helpful.
Does it have access to vlc so I can use it with my NAS
(Source Google AI)
As of January 2026, TiVo OS in the UK provides a comprehensive list of integrated streaming services, significantly expanded through the early 2026 update. Unlike traditional app stores, these services are built directly into the interface.
UK Broadcaster & Local Apps
These “Content Heroes” provide access to live and on-demand British television:
BBC iPlayer
ITVX
Channel 4
My5 (Channel 5)
Freely (New integrated platform for live TV over Wi-Fi)
STV Player
S4C Click
U (Formerly UKTV Play)
Watch Free UK
Global Streaming Giants
Netflix
Disney+
Amazon Prime Video
YouTube
Crunchyroll (Added January 2026)
Paramount+
Discovery+
Tubi
Sports & Audio
The January 2026 update focused heavily on sports and multi-media content:
Official NBA App (New for 2026)
Premier Sports (Live and on-demand sports coverage)
iHeartRadio (Music, radio, and podcasts)
NASCAR
Tennis TV
Red Bull TV
Niche & Free Content
TiVo+ (Access to 400+ free streaming channels)
Cineverse
Plex
Acorn TV
CuriosityStream
Ameba TV
FlixFling
YuppTV
Vewd (Cloud-based app storefront)
Device Compatibility: This full suite is available on “Powered by TiVo” Smart TVs from Bush, Sharp, and Mitchell & Brown. Panasonic TVs and the new Manhattan Aero streamer are scheduled to receive the full updated list by February 2026.
More information can be found here: https://www.tivo.com/gb
Top TiVo+ Channels (January 2026)
The service organizes content into themed groups, including:
Live Sports: Expanded in early 2026 to include NASCAR, Tennis TV, Red Bull TV, Nitro Circus, Golf Network, PFL (Combat Sports), and Motorsport.tv.
Entertainment & Hits: Hell’s Kitchen / Kitchen Nightmares, Unsolved Mysteries, FilmRise Classic TV, The Asylum, and Mr. Bean & Friends.
News & Business: Cheddar, USA Today, Top Stories by Newsy, and TMZ.
Lifestyle & Reality: Tastemade, Bon Appétit, Food52, Glamour, GQ, and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Kids & Family: Ameba, BatteryPOP, Kabillion, and Kid Genius.
Integrated “Freely” Channels
Additional Third-Party Channel Partners
TiVo OS also integrates hundreds of channels from other free providers on the home screen:
Pluto TV: 100+ channels.
Tubi: Access to roughly 20,000 shows and movies in the UK.
Watch Free UK: Dedicated portal for UK-specific free content.
My TV doesn’t have HDMI, only SCART, connected to a Freeview set top box, so I guess this won’t work with old TVs like that?
Use an HDMI to SCART adapter? You can get one on Amazon for about £12
I think adapter is available for scart to HDMI
Search ebay for digital to analouge converter . They cost under £10 ! Connect freely box hdmi to converter box , you then need a scart to RCA in cable again under £10 plug rca cables into converter and scart to TV . If you have VHS recorder you can record freely .
Ok, nearly there. We need a box that supports full fat unlocked Android, with gb ethernet, a decent cpu and freely for less than £100. Or maybe just release freely as an app?
I think it is worth mentioning that Tivo OS does not support Apple TV app. So Apple fans and subscribers might want to look elsewhere.
Only Argos, John Lewis and Currys are listed on the product page. Hopefully, Amazon will be added.
Why? Better to give money to a British retailer than an American one.
Well put sir!
With this new Freeview set up will we be able to pick what BBC and ITV we pick up. I certainly don’t want BBC One East and ITV London like i get on my Sky set up.
On Freely, the B.B.C. puts every different version of B.B.C. One and B.B.C. Two on the Telly Guide (E.P.G.).
And in I.T.V.X, you can select any I.T.V. region you want for local news. (You may also be able to change your postcode, though I’d doubt you’d need to, or want to).
Manhattan now thats a name I trust having got their T3r and satallite box also, I look forward to OrGorens review, and i will predict this will sell like hot cakes and like other Manhattan devices be available via normal retail outlets ie currys, argos, good on ya Manhattan.
Tivo OS is a Linux based platform with far more limitations than even Roku OS!
I would still choose Pleio over this upcoming Aero box considering that,
1. Pleio has access to Google Play store, albeit limited to only Google Verified apps and no side loading, which makes it possible to use apps beyond Freely scope of UK apps.
2. Pleio is tiny and powered by a universal USB port that can be found anywhere! Unlike this Aero box that looks chunky and most likely has its own power source. Pleio being tiny makes it travel-friendly.
3. Pleio being marketed for gaming as well as streaming means more powerful hardware! Pleio has 3GB of Ram which is higher than Fire stick 4k max 2nd gen! And it is evident in the performance of Pleio.
4. Pricing of Aero is still rather high considering Tivo OS is so limited and closed off!
I guess if you’re tech savvy then Pleio is a better choice.
Regarding the lack of ethernet on Pleio, I wonder if anyone have tried if Ugreen USB hub or any other USB/ethernet adapter works with Pleio? For example for Fire Sticks/android streaming boxes those adapters work perfectly.
I have their Freesat box and really happy with it, I will definitely get one of these.
At the bottom of the email that Manhattan sent out, there’s a new Freesat box coming too, which will presumably be a recorder. Wonder if it’ll be a merged Freesat/Freely device?
Interesting, wasn’t aware of this, thanks for the info.
I’ve got a Pleio and really like it. Yes, it’s not perfect.
I’ll likely get one of these too, for the lounge, then the Pleio can go in the home office, where I have no aerial.
p.s. Still no sign of the 2nd 3 WBD channels???
I know Streaming is the way they want to go but both these and Sky Streaming are completely useless to me i expect once streaming goes ahead i will have no choice but to give up watching tv by going streaming they are controlling what we can and can’t watch plus also if you have Freesat you can pick your own BBC and ITV region.
Don’t forget the content is owned by the content providers, so it is their right to control what is done with it, not ours. We are just the consumers and unfortunately we have to abide by whatever rules they choose to enforce.
If you want to be able to watch a programme at any time you will need to buy a disk of it, if one is available.
Or record the programme using a camcorder, or a smartphone, or something similar.
I am useing VHS and an digital to Analouge converter box (avalibile on ebay under £10) the hdmi out goes to the converter then rca to scart and then RF out to aerial socket have my own channel lots of blank tape avalibile on EBay not bothered about HD for recording .but it is upscaled .
For me I’m happy with my Pleio has it has all the apps I use & yes Guy I’m still waiting for the 3 remaining WBD channels. Don’t know why they phased launched them. But wish they’d hurry up.
I thought the first Tivo powered device would 6-12 months away so this is great news for consumers. And the price is really competitive (same as Manhattan’s T4 streaming box) and has availability at major retailers.
It’s not great news for the competition though. Pleio hasn’t been a great success with poor availability, a price increase so soon after launch and mixed reviews on quality. I suspect it might end up being more of an ISP product (which is typical for Netgem). While the new Humax will also certainly have recording of linear TV, I think it will need to do more in terms of features – such as recording streaming (even if it’s only the Freely channels) and/or a lower price than the previous Aura. They’ll also need to fix the issues, missing apps such as Netflix and regular updates (which they’ve lacked previously).
According to AI, TiVo OS appears to run all the major UK and global streaming apps with the notable exceptions being NOW, Discovery+ and Spotify. It’s possible that NOW will come on board at some point as they have a history of taking their time to launch apps on platforms. Discovery+ is more uncertain given the planned split at WBD and takeover issues but I’m sure the content will end up somewhere once the takeovers/sale is complete (and some Discovery channels are launching on Freely).
AI also says that there are no Plex or Jellyfin clients available on Tivi OS. Given that TiVo OS is a closed system, this may not change unless Tivo is open to it and developers are willing to develop and maintain their clients. A bit disappointing but a £70 Freely box isn’t aimed at those who have personal media servers. Also, you would only want it to run those apps if it can do so reliably – which some devices don’t.
I was never tempted by the Pleio, but this pricing is tempting.
Re: “We’ll need to see the full app list once the device launches to know exactly what’s available beyond the headline services Manhattan has confirmed.” Wouldn’t it just be the same as any other device that runs Tivo OS? Is there an app list available for these devices?
Does Tivo OS support any casting technologies like AirPlay or Google Cast, or something similar?
Does Manhattan make any commitment on how long they will provide software/security updates?
I think Manhattan is just the manufacturer for the Aero and that TiVo OS will handle the software updates. TiVo makes their platforms available to others (like Windows on PCs).
Possibly. But that’s not how it works with Android (for example). With Android, Google releases a new version and then manufacturer needs to take some steps to make that available on their devices. Also, if Tivo does have a direct path to push updates on all Tivo devices, the question becomes does Tivo make any commitments to length of time it will support older devices (like MS does with Windows)?
I have a Vestel Bush TiVo Freely telly, and I can confirm that TiVo does push updates. But, I have no idea about any commitment time.
Is this an Android OS? Because I know the TiVo Stream 4K runs Android OS as the default. It would be interesting if you could sideload apps
No, the newer TiVo OS is not based on Android.
That’s a better and more appropriate price for such a device.
I have the T4r and it would be great if it somehow integrated with this new device.