The UK-owned company will offer a standalone receiver (T3) and two digital recorders (T3-R), providing 500GB and 1TB hard drive options. All products will include Wi-fi connectivity as standard and be available through major electrical retailers, as well as supermarkets, in Q1 2016. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

Freeview Play combines catch-up TV from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, on-demand services and live television. The service will be free from subscription and compatible with existing broadband services.

Ilse Howling, Managing Director, Connected TV at Digital UK, said: “It’s great that Manhattan will be bringing viewers another way to enjoy the benefits of Freeview Play on their existing TVs. We continue to work closely with a range of manufacturers and broadcasters on this exciting new service, which will let consumers take that natural next step into the world of connected TV, free from subscription.”

Abbas Arbab-Zadeh, Chairman and CEO of Manhattan TV, added: “We are delighted to confirm the development of our Freeview Play products. We strongly believe the combination of on-demand services and live programming will put the viewer in full control of their TV. We plan to launch a receiver and two recorders at competitive price points, and all with Wi-fi built in. These devices will put Manhattan TV at the cutting edge of the UK television industry.”

Manhattan TV joins Freeview Play launch partners Panasonic, which has already launched a range of TVs designed to support the new service, and Humax, which will offer digital recorders. Multi-brand manufacturer Vestel will follow with a range of Freeview Play products.