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A fresh batch of content has been delivered to the Netgem Pleio box for free. The £99 device, which was the first-ever set-top box to bring the Freely platform to any telly with an HDMI port, like your Samsung and LG, now comes loaded with new video games and additional channels for subscribers.
Freely is built by the same team as Freeview and Freesat — and is forecast to overtake both by the end of the decade. It adds a slew of features that aren't possible on either of those other platforms, including the ability to restart a live show that's already in progress.
The TV box lets you queue up shows, documentaries, and sports fixtures from across catch-up services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4, so you never lose track of your latest boxset binge.
You can also scroll back in time in the TV Guide, letting you check listings from a week ago to stream an on-demand show. These features are closer to what you'd expect from a paid-for service like Sky Glass than a free-to-air solution like Freeview.
In addition to the set-top box, you'll get a remote, a game controller, and a 12-month subscription to premium channels and cloud gaming. Within this subscription, new content is consistently being added, such as seven recently unlocked games earlier this month. And now four new free ad-supported (FAST) channels and four new games have joined the list.
It's worth noting that once the 12 months are up, you will have to pay £9.99 per month to continue accessing the premium content library, which will include these new games and channels.
Add Freely to your telly with Netgem Pleio from Amazon
French entertainment brand Netgem is the first brand to launch a plug-and-play box that brings Freely to any television. Connect via HDMI, and you'll be able to stream the most popular free-to-air channels, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U, and of course, GB News. Freely arrives packed with several features previously only found on paid-for options like Sky Stream and EE TV
Included in these new channels is The Osbournes, which gives you a dedicated home for content featuring the famous family, perfect for anyone who loved watching Ozzy potter about his mansion looking thoroughly bewildered.
You'll also get access to Baby Shark TV, which features Pinkfong and Baby Shark animated episodes, songs, and sing-alongs. For sports fans, Adrenaline+ is serving up action and extreme sports content, while the other new channel, Unbeaten, focuses on underdog stories and sporting comebacks.
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In terms of games, you'll be treated to NBA Bounce, an arcade-style basketball title that's more focused on fun rather than serious simulation. Players can pick from all 30 NBA teams and compete on themed courts with mascots bouncing about on the sidelines.
It supports up to four players locally, which makes it ideal for family gaming sessions. And the timing couldn't be better with the NBA Playoffs currently showing on BBC iPlayer.
There's an Xbox-like controller in the box that uses Bluetooth to connect to the Freely-powered box
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Alongside the basketball action, there's Backpack Hero, a dungeon crawler where managing your inventory is basically the entire game.
You'll also find Dome Keeper, which brings mining and defence gameplay that's built up quite the following on PC.
Younger players get access to Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart and The Patrick Star Game, inspired by the TV show SpongeBob SquarePants.