Two Fire Stick TV alternatives owned by Google receive major free channel upgrade with BBC, ITV and Discovery boost
Date: 2024-10-29
GOOGLE’S Chromecast and new TV Streamer devices have received a major glow-up that makes finding something to watch much easier.
The tech giant has better laid out all the channels available on each device for users to see.
The Google TV Streamer replaces the Chromecast[/caption]
Clicking a channel will take users to the livestreaming channel inside its respective app[/caption]
Google TV Streamer and Chromecast dongles now have a new Channels tab.
The Channels tab shows exactly which stations are available to stream from different streaming apps on the device, for example, ITV1 and ITV2.
Clicking a channel will take users to the livestreaming channel inside its respective app.
However, only channels on supported apps, such as BBC, ITV, Discovery, STV, UTV and Really, are watchable.
It’s important to note that you must have an account with the app you’re trying to stream, otherwise the jump from the Channels tab to the app won’t be as seamless.
Despite the BBC iPlayer app not being available on Google TV Streamer devices just yet, BBC shows will still appear in the channels section.
After clicking on BBC channels, owners of Google’s new streaming gadget are met with a prompt to download BBC iPlayer on the device.
The app isn’t available to download on Google TV Streamer yet, with the device only launching in August for £99 apiece.
BBC iPlayer is available as an app on Chromecast devices so it’s not clear why the service is missing from the new Google TV Streamer.
The lack of BBC iPlayer gave the new gadget a rocky start, with early buyers saying it needed to “be sorted asap”.
It’s worth noting that Channel 4 is not available on either Android TV devices.
Google launched its new TV Streamer, which boasts faster speeds, bigger storage and more features, to eventually replace Chromecast.
Apps available on Google TV Streamer at launch:
YouTube
Netflix
ITVX
Channel 5
Disney+
Prime Video
NOW
Discovery+
MUBI
STARZ ON
Crunchyroll
Rakuten VIKI
Dailymotion
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