Coming next month, there’s a new way to get Freely on your TV. UK TV device brand Manhattan is launching the Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely.
The Aero, priced at £69.99, will allow users to get Freely on their existing TV. Users can connect it to their broadband network over Wi-Fi, without the need for a satellite dish or aerial.
It works in a similar way to the top streaming sticks and boxes, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV and the Google TV Streamer.
Freely is the free-to-view service that’s operated by Everyone TV, a joint venture owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, although users get access to over 60 live channels altogether, plus over 75,000 hours of content on iPlayer, ITVX, the Channel 4 app and more.
All these channels are free to watch without a monthly subscription, but bear in mind that you’re still expected to pay for a TV Licence.
Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, said: “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. 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
Aero uses the TiVo OS, which is the same operating system that’s found on Sharp and Panasonic smart TVs. As well as Freely channels, users can also access their streaming subscription services, including Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video, so everything is all in one place. Then there’s TiVo+, with another 400+ free streaming channels and a library of free films and TV shows.
The TiVo OS supports 4K streaming, although this will depend on your broadband speed, and has a voice search function.
The Aero will be available to buy in February from Currys, John Lewis, Amazon and more. A precise launch date was not stated.
Read our review of Freely to find out what it’s like to use.