Manhattan's long-awaited Sky Q rival finally goes on sale ...
Fourth-generation recorder from Manhattan will start to ship later this month
www.gbnews.comHere’s the latest on the Manhattan S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder.
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Release and availability: The Manhattan S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder launched in mid-April 2026 in the UK and began shipping in late April to May, with retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, Argos and Richer Sounds carrying it. Pricing started around £219 for the 500GB model, with 1TB and 2TB variants planned for subsequent months.[2][3][4]
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Key features:
- Freesat 4K recorder with support for recording up to four channels simultaneously, and pausing live TV for up to two hours.
- Access to subscription-free channels via the Freely platform, plus on-demand libraries from apps like BBC iPlayer and ITVX (over 60,000 hours available).
- External satellite dish connection required to access satellite channels; aims to combine the familiarity of a satellite setup with modern on-demand and catch-up capabilities.[1][6][8][2]
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Storage and future options: Initial storage is 500GB, with 1TB and 2TB models announced to expand capacity to about 600 and 1,200 hours of recordings respectively.[1][2]
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Market positioning: Manhattan markets the S4-R as a subscription-free, powerful alternative to Sky Q for viewers who want satellite TV without ongoing monthly fees, highlighting its proprietary interface and expanded recording capabilities.[4][2][1]
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Reception and context: Coverage from outlets like AVForums, Cordbusters, and Forbes noted the device as a notable evolution in Freesat recorders, highlighting the four-channel recording and large on-demand libraries as major advantages.[3][7][2]
Practical considerations if you’re evaluating one:
- If you already have a satellite dish and want to minimize monthly costs, the S4-R offers a strong combination of satellite access and modern recording features.[1]
- Check current stock and exact prices at your preferred retailer, as launch prices and availability can shift (some regions listed £219 for 500GB, with higher-capacity models priced higher in May/June 2026).[2][4]
- Confirm compatibility with your existing dish setup and LNB configuration, especially if you plan to record four channels simultaneously or rely on particular Freely apps for on-demand content.[1]
If you’d like, I can summarize these sources with direct quotes or help you compare the S4-R against Sky Q and other Freesat recorders based on storage, recording capacity, and app support. I can also tailor a quick pros/cons list for your Miami-area viewing setup (though note Freesat is a UK platform; in the US you’d typically use different services or import considerations).