Just last month Express.co.uk revealed that platforms such as Sky and Virgin have a new rival that’s offering the option to tune into live and on-demand TV for free. It’s called the PLEIO Puck and the concept of viewing content without the need for a subscription has clearly sounded appealing, with the device completely selling out just days after launch. Since this mini set-top box went on sale on November 21, the team behind the Freely-powered streamer has been struggling to keep up with demand.

“We have seen exceptional demand for PLEIO that has far exceeded our expectations,” Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK, told Cord Busters.

“While we knew the UK was ready for a modern, aerial-free TV experience, the speed at which the public embraced this new proposition took us by surprise, and we sold out of our initial allocation on Amazon in under 24 hours.”

Netgem says more stock is on the the way, with customers being urged to “check back frequently.”

So, what is the PLEIO Puck, and why does it appear to be such a hit?

Until now, Freely has only been available to users willing to invest in a new TV that comes with the service pre-installed. Those with older TVs or made by firms such as Samsung (who aren’t offering Freely), have been left in the cold.

That’s now changed with PLEIO Puck simply plugging into any existing tellies and offering instant access to over 40 live channels via a broadband connection. Freely also offers features such as recommendations, being able to pause live content, and even going back in time via the backwards telly guide.

This streaming platform is similar to broadband-powered services from Sky and Virgin, but it does have one bonus: once you’ve bought a Freely TV or the new PLEIO Puck, there are no extra fees to pay, with everything streamed for free.

“We built PLEIO as the answer to the fragmentation of the entertainment market,” Thevenot added.

“PLEIO delivers a truly comprehensive viewing experience – Watch, Stream, and Play – that is ready for any Fibre broadband-connected home today. It represents a new approach for consumers and an unparalleled opportunity for operators to deliver both choice and exceptional value.”

Once back in stock the PLEIO PUCK will cost £99 at Amazon – see full deatils here.