Alex Arbab-Zadeh is COO of Manhattan TV, where he has been instrumental in redefining how UK audiences access free-to-air television.

Under Arbab-Zadeh’s leadership, Manhattan has become the only company making TV boxes for all three of the UK’s free-to-air platforms: Freeview by aerial, Freesat by satellite and Freely by broadband. It is also now the only company making Freesat boxes, giving Manhattan a unique role in serving viewers however they receive free TV today, while helping them move towards the future of IP delivery.

That strategy came to life this year with the launch of the Manhattan Aero 4K TV Streamer with Freely. Aero gives households a practical route into Freely without replacing their TV, bringing the UK’s free streaming platform to existing screens and turning a new TV platform into an accessible retail product for the mass market.

By combining Freely with TiVo OS, major streaming apps, voice search and hundreds of free TiVo+ channels, Aero gives viewers a simple way to move between live TV, catch-up and streaming, reducing the friction that can slow mainstream adoption of OTT.

The product was quickly validated by the UK technology press, earning five-star reviews from T3 and Expert Reviews, T3’s Platinum Award, and Stuff’s Highly Recommended badge. Initial stock sold out within 24 hours, with later shipments also selling through quickly.

Arbab-Zadeh’s influence extends beyond Aero. This month, Manhattan launched the S4•R, its fourth-generation Freesat recorder, designed in house. Alongside the T4 range for Freeview and Aero for Freely, it shows Arbab-Zadeh leading a company that is not simply betting on one version of the future, but building practical products for every stage of the UK’s transition from broadcast to IP delivery.

Manhattan has sold more than 1.7 million TV boxes in the UK, giving the company a rare understanding of households that still value free, familiar and easy-to-use television. Arbab-Zadeh has applied that knowledge to OTT, focusing not only on early adopters, but on the millions of viewers who need the move from broadcast to broadband to feel natural.

Through Aero, and through Manhattan’s unique position across Freeview, Freesat and Freely, Arbab-Zadeh has helped turn the promise of free-to-air streaming into products people can buy, understand and use.