TiVo OS gains Freely certification for new class of streaming Smart TV devices

TiVo has secured Freely certification for a new category of streaming-only devices, marking a significant development for the UK’s growing IPTV landscape. The move opens the door for ISPs, altnets and retailers to offer live  and on-demand TV, without the need for an aerial, DTT tuner or an integrated display.

The certification, granted by Everyone TV, covers a previously undefined class of external streaming devices, such as puck-style or HDMI-connected media players. It expands on TiVo OS’s earlier approval for smart TVs, and opens the door to a wider selection of TiVo Freely enabled form factors.

These new devices promise the full Freely experience alongside TiVo’s content-first user interface, and integration with major streaming services. For consumers, the interaction mirrors what’s already available on Freely-certified TVs from brands that adopted TiVo OS in the UK.

Gabriel Cosgrave, General Manager, EMEA at TiVo, described the certification as an inflection point: “It expands consumer choice, gives retailers and ISPs new ways to delight customers with a frictionless live TV experience, and extends the reach of UK broadcasters via IP.”
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, said TiVo OS’s approval brings Freely to an even wider audience: “Introducing Freely to these devices means more UK households can easily access and navigate free TV in the streaming age.”

For the UK’s fast-growing ISP community, the timing looks opportune. Full-fibre operators looking to differentiate their broadband packages now have a turnkey way to bundle IP-delivered live TV, with minimal integration overhead. With Freely services operating natively over IP, ISPs can offer consumers a familiar, broadcaster-centric interface without managing aerial connections or additional set-top infrastructure.

The development also reduces rollout complexity and creates new opportunities for value-added services.

Retailers stand to benefit too. The certification allows them to showcase Freely-enabled devices outside the premium TV category, widening the choice for customers who want IP-delivered TV without upgrading their display. It also gives retailers scope to develop own-brand Freely-certified devices built around TiVo OS, with the added advantage of integrating existing retail media ecosystems.

A third of UK households are expected to be streaming-only by the end of 2025, and more than half by 2030.