For almost 80 years, TV programs have been transmitted over the airwaves. Fikrswt the signals were in the analog VHF band before moving over to UHF for higher definition services and color TV. Then came the global switchover to DTV or digital terrestrial television, which brought us HD services and much more choice. Currently, in the U.K. there are more than 100 TV channels delivered over the air. If you are in sight of a TV transmitter or satellite, you can receive a range of free channels using the Freeview platform.
Now broadcasters and governments would like us to switch to IPTV, an internet-based system where we get stream our TV programs over the internet in the same way that many of us currently stream content from services like Netflix, Paramount and Apple TV. The pressure is coming from governments and the telecom industry as the DTV broadcasts use the UHF bands between 470 and 694MHz. In broadcasting terms, that’s the equivalent of beachfront property. UHF waves can travel a long way and penetrate concrete buildings. Freeing up those frequencies would turn them into some of the most valuable wireless spectra which 5G and 6G mobile phone operators would love to get their hands on.
Live terrestrial broadcasting transmitters also use a lot of energy and they are expensive to maintain. Terrestrial TV is already decreasing in popularity as more of us switch to streaming our TV programs. The British Government is already talking of switching off the Freeview TV broadcasting system and replacing it with IPTV services like Freely, an internet-based service that’s free to use and offers a wide range of free-to-air channels. While not everyone has access to an internet connection capable of streaming TV, the rollout of high-speed broadband is changing thinghs fast, even in rural areas.
Powered By TiVo
British TV device specialist Manhattan is ahead of the pack with its popular Aero 4K TV Freely streaming box, which is based on TiVo technology. The Freely Aero streamer is now back in stock at major retailers with enough stock to meet the growing demand for the Freely platform, which will eventually replace Freeview.
The Aero streaming box comes with a remote control and is an easy way of adding Freely to any TV that doesn’t have the service built in. It gives users access to live TV channels and a wide range of on-demand content streamed over the Internet. Currently, some new TVs include Freely, but many do not, especially models TVs from Samsung and LG.
Freely is a joint venture between the UK’s major public broadcasters: BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. The Freely platform’s core purpose is to stream live broadcast television and on-demand content entirely over the internet.
The biggest difference with Freely over terrestrial broadcast TV services like Freeview is that it doesn’t require a TV antenna or a satellite dish. Instead, it delivers traditional linear TV and catch-up services over a standard home broadband connection as long as the speeds reach at least 10Mbps.
Now With HBO Max
The latest version of the Manhattan Aero 4K streamer comes with HBO Max, which brings together HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros films, DC and more, all in a single app. HBO has been responsible for producing some of the most talked-about TV of the last 25 years.
HBO TV shows include The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Succession, The White Lotus and The Last of Us. It’s also home to the Warner Bros film library, which means subscribers get access to The Dark Knight, Dune, Barbie, The Matrix, the Harry Potter franchise, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and many more.
HBO Max is also now the U.K. streaming home for TNT Sports, which is available as an extra “paid-for” plan rather than part of the standard HBO Max entertainment package. However, it does mean the same app on the Manhattan Aero can bring U.K. homes Champions League and Premier League football, the FA Cup, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, cycling, snooker and much more.
The Aero’s HBO Max app joins built-in apps for Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, giving users access to a wide selection of subscriptions if they want to sign up. The Manhattan Aero is powered by TiVo OS, providing lots of free TV content, all accessible without the need for a monthly subscription. However, viewing any live TV in the U.K. requires payment of an annual TV license, currently costing £180 / $240 eacdh year.
License To Thrill
In the U.K., watching live TV on any channel is currently a criminal offence, although watching catch-up services like Netflix or Amazon Prime isn’t and does not require a TV license. Freely includes 70 live U.K. TV channels and 75,000+ hours of on-demand content from broadcasters like BBC, ITV, 4, My5 and others. The Aero also offers 400 free channels, including a large library of free movies and shows on the TiVo platform.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO for Manhattan, says: “I’m very pleased to say we now have Aero back in stock at numbers that we’re confident will be able to meet the incredible demand we’ve seen for this great product. And the addition of HBO Max to the Aero — with its rich store of top-tier content and access to some of the world’s greatest sporting events — simply makes a superb product even better. Stay tuned for even more app additions to Aero this year, ensuring Aero owners get even more value and entertainment.”
Pricing and Availability:
The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely is available in the U.K. from retailers including Currys, Argos, John Lewis and Amazon, priced at £89.99.
