Google TV on Chromecast

[Steddenm]

I have a Chromecast with Google TV built in, and surprised, that albeit it is an Android-based device there are a number of streaming apps not available...

There is no All4, no BritBox, no UKTV Play and no STV Player, and on the ITV Hub there are no subtitle options.

However, the Virgin Media Ireland app works (and plays most programming without the need for a VPN), and an app called TV Mucho has most of the Freeview channels, as well as RTÉ channels and TG4.

Why are there no apps for Channel 4, UKTV or BritBox? You can cast from your phone via the Chromecast feature on these apps, but it would be a lot easier if they can be made native to the device.

I spoke to UKTV and BritBox via Twitter and they both state that apps "should be available on all streaming platforms", but not in the app store!

[London Lite]

All4, UKTV Play and Britbox don't have Android/Google TV apps. You can cast those apps from a phone or tablet as those apps are compatible with the old style Chromecast, same for NOW.

[AlfieMulcahy]

I have a Chromecast with Google TV built in, and surprised, that albeit it is an Android-based device there are a number of streaming apps not available...

There is no All4, no BritBox, no UKTV Play and no STV Player, and on the ITV Hub there are no subtitle options.

However, the Virgin Media Ireland app works (and plays most programming without the need for a VPN), and an app called TV Mucho has most of the Freeview channels, as well as RTÉ channels and TG4.

Why are there no apps for Channel 4, UKTV or BritBox? You can cast from your phone via the Chromecast feature on these apps, but it would be a lot easier if they can be made native to the device.

I spoke to UKTV and BritBox via Twitter and they both state that apps "should be available on all streaming platforms", but not in the app store!

It's extremely annoying that they aren't available for Android TV devices (bar those running Freeview alongside Android). But none of those broadcasters seem to be working to get them on Android, so we're unlikely to see apps materialise for the CCWGTV anytime soon.

[Larry the Loafer]

Can they not be sideloaded?

[London Lite]

All three of those apps are on Fire TV, which uses Android as the base for their OS, but getting the apk from a Firestick and then sideloading to a Chromecast with Google TV is another story.

It was possible until recently to use a modified NOW app from a Sony Android TV (where they have an exclusivity deal on Android TV) to work on all other Android TV devices, which also includes the Chromecast with Google TV, but Sky put a block on them.