A new competitor has entered the UK's television landscape, offering a fresh and budget-friendly way to watch your favourite shows. The PLEIO Puck, a compact streaming device, aims to rival established giants like Sky and Freeview by harnessing the power of the Freely platform.
What is the PLEIO Puck and How Does It Work?
Developed by the technology firm Netgem, the PLEIO Puck is a small box designed to make any television smart. The device solves a significant limitation of the Freely service, which until now was only available built into new TVs from specific brands like Hisense, Panasonic, and Sharp.
This left owners of older sets or models from Samsung and LG unable to access its features. The Puck changes that entirely. Simply plug the device into any TV's HDMI port, connect it to your home broadband, and you gain instant access to free television.
The core offering is the Freely platform, which provides over 40 live channels and on-demand content without any monthly fee. Viewers can pause live TV, browse an interactive programme guide, and get personalised recommendations.
More Than Just TV: A Complete Entertainment Hub
The PLEIO Puck is not a one-trick pony. Beyond the Freely service, it comes loaded with other major streaming applications, including Disney+ and Netflix, consolidating your entertainment in one place.
It also ventures into gaming, supporting over 200 games and including a voice remote and a dedicated gamepad controller in the box. The device goes on sale today for a one-off cost of £99.
This purchase price includes a three-month trial of the Netgem PLEIO subscription. This premium tier unlocks more than 250 cloud-based games and provides access to over 150 additional channels. After the trial ends, continuing this subscription is optional and costs £9.99 per month.
Industry Response and the Push for Affordable TV
Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK, stated that the product is a direct response to a fragmented market. He explained, "We built PLEIO as the answer to the fragmentation of the entertainment market. PLEIO delivers a truly comprehensive viewing experience - Watch, Stream, and Play."
This sentiment is echoed by industry experts. Paolo Pescatore, a noted analyst, told Mirror Online that a device like the PLEIO Puck is long overdue. He highlighted that consumers are actively seeking more affordable ways to watch content as rising subscription prices, partly driven by expensive sports rights, push viewers towards fragmented and sometimes illegal streaming options.
The launch of the PLEIO Puck signals a significant shift, offering a legitimate and cost-effective alternative for British households looking to cut the cord without sacrificing access to live and on-demand television.
