Broadband ISPs Preparing to Bundle TiVo Powered UK 4K TV Freely Streaming Box

A new report has indicated that a number of UK broadband ISPs may soon start bundling British device manufacturer Manhattan’s Freely-supporting Aero 4K TV Streaming Box, or similar kit using the TiVo OS, alongside some of their packages. The move could provide some extra competition for rival platforms like Netgem TV’s popular PLEIO box and service (here).

The Aero box initially launched at the start of 2026 as a budget option for those seeking access to the broadband-based live TV streaming service Freely (here), which is backed by the major UK broadcasters and is an evolution – not yet a replacement – for the existing Freeview platform (inc. Freeview Play and Freesat).

Just to recap. The Manhattan Aero 4K TV Box, which uses software based off TiVo OS and includes TiVo-powered voice search on its remote control, currently costs £89.99 a pop at retail and doesn’t support recording (PVR); although you can pause live TV for up to 15 minutes and restart programmes from the beginning on supported channels. In short, it’s a basic streaming box with access to live TV channels via Freely (inc. additional free streaming / FAST channels) and the usual range of apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube etc.).

The device also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Wired (LAN) for connectivity to your broadband router and is powered by an unspecified quad-core CPU, plus there’s the usual Power and HDMI ports (a 1.2m HDMI cable that supports resolutions up to 4K/60Hz is included). But there’s no port for a TV aerial, so this is very much a streaming-only TV device.

According to a new report in TelcoTitans (paywall), TiVo are allegedly in the process of pitching this platform as white-label solution for alternative broadband providers to adopt as part of a branded TV bundle with their internet access packages.

In recent years the idea of bundling TV boxes alongside broadband has lost some of its attraction, but some alternative broadband ISPs see the adoption of Freely and newer streaming boxes as being potentially able to aid customer retention. Suffice to say, attitudes are shifting as TV streaming grows in popularity, although it’s still unclear how much interest there will be in a more budget solution like the Aero 4K.

Patrick Byrden, VP for Business Development at TiVo, explains how “the priorities of altnets have shifted from pure rollout to conversion and retention, and the associated product bundles, such as TV.” Charles Dawes, Senior Director for International Marketing at TiVo, elaborated: “We’re not trying to sell you a ‘TiVo box’ or a ‘TiVo TV’. We let the service provider’s brand lead, and it’s ‘their product powered by TiVo’, which I think is crucially important compared to some of our competitors who try to take over everything” (the latter remark could be seen as a criticism of Netgem’s approach).

The article claims that “several UK altnets have progressed discussions to the point where launch dates are being considered“, although quite how the kit would be priced and positioned as a bundled product is presently unclear. Netgem tends to bundled their boxes with access to additional premium content and a cloud gaming service, which is something we’ve yet to see from the Aero’s TiVo kit. Nevertheless, the first commercial altnet launches are said to be expected before the end of 2026.