Manhattan TV has formally launched the S4-R, a model new Freesat 4K recorder – and the primary new Freesat recording field to hit the market because the now-discontinued 4K bins launched again in 2020.
The S4-R might be obtainable from Currys, John Lewis, Argos and Richer Sounds, beginning at £219.99 for the 500GB mannequin.
The 1TB model follows in May at £249.99, and the 2TB in June at £279.99. Note that as of in the present day, the bins aren’t but displaying as obtainable at these retailers – however they need to be listed quickly.
As we exclusively revealed last month, Manhattan had been quietly engaged on the S4-R whereas Freesat followers have been left with nowhere to show for a brand new recorder. Now it’s official.
What Is Freesat – And Why Does This Matter?
Freesat is the UK’s satellite-based free TV platform, launched in 2008 as a three way partnership between the BBC and ITV.
Rather than relying on an aerial like Freeview, it delivers channels by way of a satellite tv for pc dish – which typically means extra dependable reception, notably in areas the place terrestrial indicators are weak or non-existent.
It at the moment serves round 1 million UK properties, and provides 100+ free channels together with greater than 35 in HD.
In 2021, Freesat was acquired by Everyone TV – the identical organisation that runs Freeview and the newer Freely platform. That’s vital as a result of Freely, Everyone TV’s internet-based free TV platform, is extensively seen because the long-term successor to both Freeview and Freesat.
No aerial, no dish – simply your broadband connection. Standalone Freely boxes are already on sale, together with the Manhattan Aero and the Netgem Pleio, and the platform is gaining critical momentum.
Freesat’s future can also be tied carefully to Sky’s selections. Both use satellites operated by SES, and as Sky migrates prospects away from satellite tv for pc in direction of Sky Glass and Sky Stream, the cost of maintaining that infrastructure may ultimately turn into troublesome for Freesat to maintain alone.
Sky has prolonged its satellite tv for pc deal till 2029, offering some respiratory room – however an Ofcom report instructed {that a} agency determination on Freesat’s long-term future ought to ideally be made by 2025/26, which is true now.
Options vary from a stripped-back “nightlight” service carrying solely core public service broadcaster channels, to phasing it out completely in favour of Freely.
None of meaning Freesat is disappearing tomorrow – the infrastructure is safe till a minimum of 2029, and hundreds of thousands of properties have already got satellite tv for pc dishes. But it does clarify why the shortage of a contemporary Freesat recorder has felt notably unsettling for the platform’s customers.
The Boxes That Were Discontinued
The recording bins which were discontinued this 12 months have been the Freesat 4K vary – manufactured by Commscope (previously Arris) and launched in March 2020.
They got here in three recording variants (500GB, 1TB and 2TB) plus a non-recording field, and have been the one fashionable Freesat choice in the marketplace for six years.
They have been a real step ahead over the Humax bins they changed – quicker, with 4K help, a good app choice together with Netflix and Prime Video, and the power to file channels concurrently.
They weren’t with out their points – bugs annoyed customers all through their lifespan – and over time they lost features, together with distant recording by way of the Freesat app in June 2024.
By the time they have been discontinued, they have been six years outdated and displaying their age.
The older Humax bins that preceded them fared even worse in retirement, dropping ITVX help, distant management performance, search, and backwards EPG scrolling in a sequence of cuts stretching from 2022 by to 2025.
The Manhattan S4-R
Manhattan TV is not any stranger to Freesat – their SX has been the best-value basic Freesat box in the marketplace for years, although it lacks recording and streaming apps.
But the S4-R is a really totally different proposition.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, COO of Manhattan TV, mentioned: “We know how much people value the simple, subscription-free control and intuitive experience of our T4-R Freeview recorder.
“Our audience has been actively asking for that same experience on Freesat, and we’re thrilled to deliver the S4-R as the answer.
“It not only brings our proprietary user interface to satellite viewing, but it also drastically elevates the recording capability by supporting up to four simultaneous shows, compared to the previous two-channel limit.”
Jonathan Thompson, CEO at Everyone TV, added: “With the launch of the S4-R, we’re continuing our mission to make free TV more accessible for everyone.
“Many UK households still rely on satellite and are looking for a modern alternative that doesn’t compromise on features or experience.
“The S4-R delivers exactly that, combining multi-channel recording with a seamless, intuitive interface.”
The S4-R runs Manhattan’s personal proprietary interface – the identical one which powers the T4-R Freeview recorder, which we rated 4.5 out of 5 and gave an Editor’s Choice.
Manhattan tells us the S4-R expertise might be similar to the T4-R – the identical interface and capabilities, however constructed round satellite tv for pc somewhat than Freeview. If you’ve used the T4-R, you’ll really feel proper at residence.
That interface places reside TV, recordings, and on-demand content material multi function place, with a single search throughout reside channels and greater than 60,000 hours of on-demand content material.
The S4-R consists of apps for all the primary UK broadcaster catch-up providers – BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5 and extra – and YouTube can also be current.
What it doesn’t have, nevertheless, is the broader third-party streaming app choice that the outgoing 4K bins provided.
Those bins had Netflix, Prime Video and extra in-built – the S4-R, just like the T4-R, focuses on free-to-air content material and broadcaster apps.
If Netflix or Prime Video are necessary to you, you’d want a separate streaming gadget (or Smart TV) alongside it.
Pricing and Value
Despite the AI-driven part value will increase which have lately pushed up prices on Manhattan’s Aero Freely box and T4-R Freeview recorder, the S4-R truly is available in cheaper than the outgoing Freesat bins did at launch.
The outdated Commscope 500GB recorder launched at £229.99 – the S4-R 500GB is £219.99. The 2TB mannequin is £279.99, in comparison with the earlier £299.99.
So regardless of a more durable part market, Manhattan has managed to undercut the earlier era’s costs, which is value acknowledging.
That mentioned, the S4-R is dearer than Manhattan’s equal Freeview bins – the T4-R 500GB is at the moment £199.99 (after the latest value improve). The premium possible displays the price of the satellite tv for pc tuners {hardware}.
What About a Non-Recording Box?
Manhattan hasn’t introduced a brand new non-recording Freesat field to take a seat alongside the S4-R.
For now, for those who don’t want recording, the outdated Freesat 4K non-recording box remains to be obtainable, as is the Manhattan SX – the fundamental, no-frills satellite tv for pc receiver that continues to be good worth if all you want is the channels with out the extras.
Manhattan’s Full Free TV Lineup
The S4-R completes what’s now a remarkably complete free TV lineup from Manhattan – the one producer at the moment providing a tool in each main class.
They make the T4-R and T4 for Freeview, the Aero for Freely, and now the S4-R for Freesat recording, alongside the prevailing SX.
Whether you obtain your TV by way of aerial, satellite tv for pc dish, or broadband, Manhattan now has one thing for you.
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