New palm-sized PLEIO device includes access to BBC and ITV-supported Freely, plus offers access to extra services including cloud gaming with a subscription.
- £99 puck now on sale; to be also bundled with a select number of ISPs
- Wi-Fi only puck to rival Sky and Virgin’s streaming service
Netgem has officially unveiled its latest innovation, the PLEIO streaming puck, an all-in-one device designed to reshape how UK audiences access television and digital entertainment.
First announced earlier this year by Everyone TV, the company behind Freely, PLEIO (pronounced PLAY-oh) is the first streaming puck to feature built-in access to Freely — the platform that public service broadcasters hope will eventually replace Freeview. But a key element of the puck, which weighs just 40g, is access to optional extra features as part of a subscription service for £9.99 a month (exceptions apply).
The subscription includes:
- 150+ additional channels
- A cloud gaming console
- An enhanced interface that curates content into sections such as series, sport, and kids programming
Unlike Freeview, PLEIO connects exclusively via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for an aerial. While this means some aerial-only channels are not currently available, Freely is working to expand its offering by bringing more of these channels online and introducing new streaming-only services. The puck also integrates the Google Play Store, giving users access to a wide range of free and paid apps from both UK and international providers.
Availability and ISP Partnerships
PLEIO will be available on Amazon from this Friday and can be used in conjunction with any internet service provider. In addition, the device is being bundled with select internet service providers (ISPs), including WightFibre, Connect Fibre, and BRSK, with Netgem promising more ISP partnerships in the near future. Viewers who sign up to an ISP bundle that includes PLEIO also get access to the extra subscription features as part of the bundle.
By partnering with selected smaller ISPs, Netgem goes head to head with Sky, which has been trying to seal similar partnerships with ISP to offer Sky Stream. In 2024, for example, Sky partnered with ISP Truespeed.
Key Features
- Freely: With over 75,000 hours of content and 55 live channels including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5, U, WATCH FREE UK + more all in one place.
- Easy Setup: Set up in minutes with an intuitive, plug-and-play experience. All you need is Wi-Fi,
- 4K UHD Support: Enjoy crystal-clear image quality with 4K resolution and HDR when available.
- Streaming Services: Access to popular services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube and more. (Separate subscriptions required, existing subscribers can use their current login details.)
- Convenience: unpacked content into curated UI sections: Series, Movies, Sports and Kids*
- Extra TV channels: more than 150 extra channels covering everything from sports, documentaries and cooking shows*
- Cloud Gaming: 250+ console games for a truly new and immersive experience with wireless gamepad*
*subscription required
The details
PLEIO allows you to watch, stream and play as follows:
Channels
- services from Freely (which includes live streams of all the biggest UK free-to-air channels), Amazon and Pleio.tv
Price
- Retail Price: £99.00. This includes the PLEIO Puck, PLEIO Voice Remote, PLEIO Gamepad and a three month trial of the Netgem PLEIO subscription (exceptions apply if you get PLEIO from an internet service provider, see below).
- The subscription includes access to 250+ Cloud Games and 150+ extra
channels. Afterwards, it’s an optional £9.99 monthly fee for these features (unless you have PLEIO via an ISP bundle). Access to Freely channels remains free. - ISP Price: Each ISP will bundle differently, with a RRP of £9.99. The PLEIO subscription
is only relevant for customers who buy in retail; customers who use PLEIO
through ISP bundles will receive all the content, all the time. RRP £9.99
Specifications
| Resolution | 4K UHD (Support 4k AV1/H.265/VP9 decoding), HDR10 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Compatibility | Freely (Twelve on-demand apps including BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 5, U, WATCH FREE UK + more all in one place), Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, NOW, etc |
| Operating System | Android TV 14 |
| Audio Support | Dolby Atmos (passthrough), DTS-HD, 5.1 Surround Sound |
| Voice Control | Built-in voice assistant |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0 |
| Power Supply | 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz |
| Dimensions | ⌀64mm x 14mm (⌀ x H) |
| Weight | 40g |
| PLEIO Remote | IR & Bluetooth (near field voice control), batteries included |
| PLEIO Gamepad | Wireless Bluetooth, built-in 3.7V/600mAh lithium battery |
FAQs
For the launch, Netgem kindly provided us with a set of questions you’re bound to have about the new PLEIO Freely puck. Click or tap to expand.
What problem does PLEIO solve?
The general consensus seems to be: there’s more TV than ever, and it’s more disparately kept and complicated to watch. By bringing it all together in one small puck, that’s the problem PLEIO is solving – the problem of over-complicating leisure.
Who is PLEIO for?
PLEIO is for everyone who wants to be entertained without the price of a new TV, or the faff of an aerial. It’s for homes without an aerial, families looking for an affordable solution, urban hoppers looking to stream with ease, and travellers who need entertainment on the go.
Where can PLEIO be used?
Anywhere inside the UK! (And it’s super portable, perfect for taking on domestic holidays – you just need Wi-FI with a connection speed of 10MB per second).
How do consumers set up PLEIO?
It couldn’t be easier – simply plug it into your TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and download any apps you’d like from Google Play Store. Full instructions (although that’s pretty much it) will be included in the packaging.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Netgem