Freely, the free video streaming platform that provides access to the very best of British TV, is about to become a lot more accessible thanks to a company called Manhattan TV.
The two companies have just announced the imminent availability of Manhattan’s Aero 4K TV Streamer, which is a compact set-top box-style device that plugs into the back of your TV via its HDMI port to enable instant access to livestreamed content from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
It’s a big deal for Freely, because it means that the platform – previously limited to select TVs that natively integrate the service – can now be watched through virtually any TV, with no aerial satellite dish or subscription required.
Freely was launched by a consortium called Everyone TV back in 2024, as a streaming based alternative to the popular Freeview Play service that’s accessible over terrestrial broadcast. While Freeview Play has proven to be successful, viewers are required to purchase a separate set-top box specifically to access the service’s live and on-demand content over the traditional airwaves rather than the web.
Freely was initially available in select TVs sold by brands such as Hisense, Philips, Panasonic, TCL, Sharp, Toshiba, JVC and Metz, as well as a number of Amazon Fire and Roku TVs. The downside was that you couldn’t access it without one of those compatible TVs, but that’s changing fast. Late last year, Everyone TV launched a puck-style device that can be plugged into non-smart TVs, and now Manhattan is providing another alternative.
The Aero 4K TV Streamer is powered by the TiVo OS operating system, which means it brings much more than just Freely to whatever TV it’s plugged into. TiVo has a growing app ecosystem that includes streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, as well as YouTube and a selection of games. In addition, TiVo also offers access to more than 400 free live TV channels of varying quality, plus a library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
There’s reason to think that Manhattan’s gadget could be popular, for Freely recently published data to back up its claim that it’s now the U.K.’s fastest-growing TV platform, with more than one million weekly active viewers tuning in over Christmas. Moreover, research from YouGov backs up Freely’s assertion that it’s destined to become a living room staple, showing that over 70% of Samsung and LG TV owners want to be able to access the service via their television. Of course, neither company currently supports Freely – unless, of course, you connect it to one of Manhattan’s Aero 4K TV Streamers.
“Freely is a brilliant new platform that delivers Great British Telly over broadband with no monthly bills – but there are lots of TVs out there that don't have it built in,” said Manhattan Chief Operating Officer Alex Arbab-Zadeh. “Aero fixes that. Just connect to Wi-Fi and you've got live TV, catch-up and all your favourite streaming apps – a simple, affordable way to upgrade any TV without having to replace it.”
Manhattan said the Aero 4K TV Streamer will go on sale next month at retailers such as Currys, Amazon and John Lewis, priced at £69.99.
