Manhattan to manufacture a new line of Freesat set top boxes

Freesat confirms long-term partner Manhattan to develop Freetime set top boxes

Freesat, the subscription free TV service, has announced that long term partner Manhattan Technology intends to manufacture a new line of Freetime set top boxes, building on Freesat’s award-winning and top-selling range.

Manhattan, the largest UK-owned manufacturer of set-top boxes, supplies thousands of independent retailers via its sister company Eurosat, as well as all the major retailers and supermarkets, including Dixons, Argos, John Lewis, Amazon and Tesco.

Owners of the new Manhattan Freetime range will be able to use Freetime to roll back the TV guide for the past seven days, access all the major On Demand services including BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD, and Demand 5, and watch Showcase, Freesat’s great programme recommendation service. The Freesat mobile companion app will also work in conjunction with the Manhattan Freetime set-top boxes, offering the ability to plan, record and manage programmes to watch and directly control the TV.

Freesat’s connected TV service Freetime has consistently delivered strong growth since its launch in 2012. The latest quarterly figures highlight that it now accounts for 41% of all Freesat set top box sales, and sales of Freetime boxes more than doubled year on year.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s Managing Director, commented: “We’re delighted to confirm that we are working with another Freetime manufacturing partner, following the recent Freetime announcements with Panasonic and Vestel. Having worked with Manhattan for five years now, they are an important partner for us and it’s great to see our Freetime service proving so popular amongst both industry and consumers alike.”

Abbas Arbab-Zadeh, Chairman and CEO at Manhattan Technology Ltd, commented: “Freesat’s Freetime technology provides a world class TV experience, with access to a roll back guide and multitude of On Demand services, so we’re delighted to confirm this news today. Freetime puts Manhattan at the cutting edge of the UK television industry and we look forward to releasing a full range of high-performance Freetime receivers and recorders, all with integrated Wi-Fi.