GOOGLE’S brand new pricey TV streaming gadget has got off to a rocky start with early buyers complaining some key apps are missing.
The Google TV Streamer is a replacement for the long-running and popular Google Chromecast sticks.
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It went on sale at the end of last month, retailing for £99.
But Brits have noticed that BBC iPlayer and the Channel 4 app are no where to be seen on it.
“Just got the new @google tv streamer, everything is great, except… No BBC iPlayer?” one person tweeted on X.
“This needs to be sorted asap or I’m sending it back.”
Another wrote: “It’s bloody annoying!”
BBC iPlayer was available as an app on Chromecast devices so it’s not clear why the service is missing from the new Google TV Streamer.
But according to fans on Reddit, the omission might be due to a BBC support certification process.
The Google TV Streamer is not currently listed on the BBC’s supported device list.
“Devices not listed have either not reached the benchmark required for a good BBC iPlayer experience or have not yet been submitted for certification,” the BBC website reads.
“We only support devices which are certified so you may experience issues with BBC iPlayer on uncertified devices.”
People have resorted to sideloading the app on the gadget instead.
However, it is still possible to watch BBC iPlayer shows via the device another way, simply by casting from a smartphone or tablet.
Ensure you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network first, then open the app and look for the Chromecast icon which allows you to beam content from your phone to the screen.
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
