Sky Q gets a feature-packed new rival that lets UK homes watch TV for free
Watch out Sky Q, a new rival has launched that lets UK homes watch TV for free.
It's impossible to deny that Sky Q is one of the UK's most loved TV devices. This award-winning box has been keeping homes entertained for over 10 years and remains a firm favourite thanks to its ability to record content onto its built-in hard drive. Despite its age, Sky Q is still a top choice, but it does now have a new rival with one massive advantage.
The TV Team at Manhattan has officially unveiled its latest set-top box, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. This telly-watching gadget is similar to Sky Q, as it uses a dish to beam shows and movies into homes and features internal storage for recordings. Owners also get a full interactive TV guide and the option to pause live TV.
The biggest bonus is that once the Manhattan S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder box is purchased, there are no subscription fees to pay, and over 100 TV and radio channels are available to view for free. Of course, there's no access to premium content such as Sky Sports or Sky Cinema, but this is a solid option for those wanting some entertainment without the worry of extra bills.
Like Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels at once and launches with a 500GB hard drive, enough to store around 300 hours of content. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are set to arrive soon for those who need extra space. It also matches Sky’s live TV controls, letting users pause and rewind broadcasts.
Manhattan says the device will feature a clean, easy-to-use interface, along with search functionality and access to more than 60,000 hours of on-demand content via apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, said the company is building on the success of its Freeview recorder by bringing the same straightforward, subscription-free experience to Freesat. He added that the S4-R significantly boosts recording capabilities, allowing up to four programmes to be recorded simultaneously—double the previous limit.
He described the S4-R as a strong alternative to subscription TV, offering more flexibility, choice, and a way to avoid costly monthly bills.
The Manhattan S4-R launches this month and will be available from retailers including Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. Pricing starts at £219.99 for the 500GB model, rising to £249.99 for the 1TB version in May, and £279.99 for the 2TB model arriving in June.
