The landscape of television is rapidly evolving towards streaming services. Sky has heavily invested in this innovative technology, offering popular products like Sky Glass and the Sky Stream box in the UK. The appeal lies in their simplicity – just connect to Wi-Fi and access a wide range of shows, sports, and movies without the need for complicated installations. While Sky remains a dominant player with its extensive channel lineup, it is no longer the sole effortless option for TV viewing.
A new alternative called Freely allows households to watch live and on-demand TV without an aerial, distinguishing itself from Sky by not requiring a monthly subscription.
Until recently, Freely was only available on the latest TVs from select brands such as Hisense, Panasonic, and Sharp, leaving owners of older sets or models from Samsung and LG out of the loop.
The introduction of the PLEIO Puck, developed by Netgem, changes this scenario by providing full access to Freely on any TV. Simply connect the compact box to an HDMI port, link it to broadband, and start enjoying the content.
Once set up, the PLEIO Puck offers over 40 free channels for live and on-demand Freely viewing. Users can pause live TV, receive recommendations, and access an interactive guide to see current and upcoming programs.
In addition to Freely, the Puck supports various major streaming apps like Disney+ and Netflix, along with over 200 games and comprehensive voice control features.
The PLEIO Puck is now available for purchase at £99, which includes the device, a voice remote, a gamepad controller, and a three-month trial of the Netgem PLEIO subscription for access to cloud games and extra channels. Post-trial, the subscription is optional at £9.99 per month.
Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK, expressed pride in launching the PLEIO as a comprehensive entertainment platform tailored for fiber broadband-connected homes, offering a unified viewing, streaming, and gaming experience.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore highlighted the overdue need for devices like the PLEIO, emphasizing consumer demand for affordable content viewing options amidst rising subscription prices and the complexity of the current market.
