Streaming has become the dominant force in television, with Sky investing heavily in cutting-edge technology such as Sky Glass and the Sky Stream box, which have gained significant popularity in the UK. These products are favored for their simplicity, requiring only a Wi-Fi connection to access a wide range of shows, sports, and movies without the need for complex installations like engineer visits or satellite dishes. While Sky remains a top choice due to its extensive channel lineup and features, there are now other hassle-free options for TV viewing.
An alternative named Freely allows households to watch live and on-demand TV without an aerial and stands out from Sky by not requiring a monthly subscription.
Until recently, Freely was only integrated into the latest TVs from certain brands like Hisense, Panasonic, and Sharp, leaving owners of older models or those from Samsung and LG out of the loop.
Fortunately, a new device called the PLEIO Puck has been introduced to solve this issue.
The compact PLEIO Puck, developed by the Netgem team, provides full access to Freely on any TV. Simply plug it into an HDMI port, connect to broadband, and start enjoying live and on-demand Freely content, offering over 40 channels for free. The platform also enables features like pausing live TV, personalized recommendations, and an interactive guide for current and upcoming programs.
In addition to Freely, the Puck includes popular streaming apps such as Disney+ and Netflix, supports over 200 games, and offers complete voice control functionality.
Available for purchase at £99, the PLEIO Puck package includes the device itself, a voice remote, a gamepad controller, and a three-month trial of the Netgem PLEIO subscription, providing access to 250+ cloud games and 150+ extra channels. Following the trial period, the subscription is optional at £9.99 per month.
Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK, expressed excitement about the launch, emphasizing PLEIO’s comprehensive viewing experience tailored for fiber broadband-connected homes. The platform aims to simplify entertainment consumption and offer value to consumers while providing opportunities for operators to deliver diverse content options.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore highlighted the overdue necessity for a device like PLEIO, noting consumer demand for more affordable viewing options. He cautioned against the increasing costs of subscriptions, partly driven by broadcasters paying higher prices for sports rights, which are pushing viewers towards fragmented and sometimes illicit streaming alternatives.
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