RioOlympics on Android TV - US -

by BeefaloCL

This method requires you to gain access to a Comcast/DirecTV/Cable provider login.

I am a chord cutter, but I love the Olympics and don't want to miss out. After trying every solution i read out there about the best way to stream the Olympics to my TV, this is the method that I now use, and it has worked flawlessly for the last 2 days - i mean FLAWLESSLY.

My original attempt was to use the Kodi Add-on as seen here: http://androidtv.news/2016/08/watch-rio-olympics-2016-android-tv/ I never could get it to work very well for me. I tried other Kodi add ons like caster, and was not satisfied.

Now the beginning of success came when I started using the NBC Sports app on my phone, and casting to the my Shield TV. This required me to get Comcast (or any provider) login credentials from a user (my parents) who had a cable subscription, in order for me to watch the live streams. This worked.... a little. For whatever reason, the casting ability of the app is atrocious. It buffers, freezes, and stops streaming all together every couple minutes, even though if i just use the app natively on my phone without casting, it has no issues.

Solution - remove the casting process from the equation - Sideload the APP directly onto my shield.

    • Google search the browser for "nbc sports live extra apk" - use one of the links - Like apkpure.com to download and install the app (you will have to have "Allow apps from unknown sources" enabled in the Android TV security settings)
    • I see people always saying this, and its not quite right.. You DO NOT have to have access to a mouse/keyboard for navigating the shield in apps like chrome, if you have a shield controller whenever you use apps that aren't native to Android TV (like chrome) the right analog stick of the shield controller acts as a mouse pad, with the "A" button being a left click.
    • Once you have sideloaded NBC Sports, it is best to sideload the app "Set Orientation" as well using another google search and a site like apkpure.com. - This app will allow you to "lock" your TV to a "landscape" rotation for sideloaded apps and such. That way the NBC app will work like you want it to.
    • Once you use the "set Orientation" app to lock your tv to landscape mode, fire up the NBC sports app. You will need to navigate the app using a mouse/keyboard, or the right analog stick of the shield controller as mentioned in number 3 above. Login to the app using - any - credentials you can get your hands on for a cable provider. I used my parents, but all you need is anyone who has -A- TV package AT ALL through a cable provider.

After login, the app works flawlessly. Casting seemed to be the main fault of the app... It just can't do it efficiently. Once i started running the NBC app directly from my Shield TV, it works without any issue whatsoever... i mean it.

UPDATE : The $25 option

  • From /r/u/Andrroid: Sling TV Blue package for one month

UPDATE : The Pricey, but permanent option

  • From /r/u/ifixpedals Antenna > HDHomerun > InstaTV > Live Channels. Will prolly cost you close to $100 dollar for an HD Homerun and Antenna, but the good news is you will have local channels permanently with no monthly cost even after Rio.
Andrroid

Alternative option with way less fuckery: Sling TV Blue package for one month, $25. Or free trial for 7 days.

ifixpedals

My solution: Antenna > HDHomerun > InstaTV > Live Channels. I consider myself a chord cutter as well, but I've gotta have local news. Well worth the small investment.

Edit: Best of all, no Cable or Satellite account or streaming service subscription required :-)

ajcrow86

I found it works best to just get a PC with Chrome on the nbcolympics.com website and cast from chrome to your android tv. Works WAY better than anything I've found yet.

LaFours23

There is a NBC Sports add-on for Kodi. Works really well.

MyCommentIs27

I upvoted this because you solved the same problem I've been having, however this is simply just too convulted of a solution for me. Android TV has been such a huge disappointment. There is no reason the NBC Sports app should not be downloadable on the TV from the Play store. App fragmentation is killing Android TV.

infomofo

I do this too- but I can't seem to use the controller for everything- I still find that I need a mouse in order to scroll long lists- i.e. the "live and upcoming" tab- Have you figured out a way to scroll lists using the controller?

mynameis_garrett

I just put the NBC app on my phone and cast to my android TV. Works great!

watchyirc

More Zika pls

trusk89

Or register with USTVNow(free - 45 days free HD also) and install kodi and the USTVNow plugin and login.

Or your way is fine too, I guess.