I'm really annoyed with the streaming app situation for the Google TV device in the UK. We don't have access to an app for All 4, Sky's NOW, BT TV, Britbox, UK TV Play - I know most of these can be cast and that Britbox can be available as part of Prime Video but that seems besides the point when other platforms, including Fire TV which runs on a version of Android TV, has these apps available. Just really wish they'd sort it out!
You can side load the Britbox U.K. app APK from a Fire TV device and it’ll work. If you know someone with a Fire TV you can quickly rip the app from I’d try it.
I think we might see some change in how NOW is handled once their sister app, Peacock, launches this year. Comcast wants Peacock everywhere and will have to negotiate with Google to bring it to their platform. Maybe NOW tags along? Who knows.
Who do you mean by "they"? It is a business decision by the individual streaming services.
Now is only avaible on Sony's TV with Android and Google TV.
You can download the apk files from the comment section
The German NOW app (sky ticket) is on fire tv and the apk also works on Android TV, maybe it's the same for NOW
Anyone know if there is a way to get an UK debit card like the statescard for the US? I have both APKs just not able to create an (working) account due to UK card restrictions.
According to this video , UK streaming apps are available on the CCwGTV
I have a solution for all4 and uktv play that not only work but I can guarantee will last as channel 4 have purposely blocked android TV devices from even using the phone app giving a network error and this is due to partnerships they have with Amazon ect.
But they can never even try to brake this method as it would result in them messing up services for other platforms and they can't chance that.
I have found the only fix that is stable for all4. It is blocked on purpose due to them having ties with Amazon and apple so if you install the phone apk it will just say network error.
1.Install open web browser (not my favourite but works with for channel 4)
2.Download and install TV App Repo I've left a link below but there are many out there https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/felker-tech/tv-app-repo-android-tv/tv-app-repo-android-tv-1-1-4-playstore-release/tv-app-repo-android-tv-1-1-4-playstore-android-apk-download/
3.open TV app Repo on the android TV box and scroll down to custom shortcuts and click create a web bookmark.
4.type in https://www.channel4.com when prompted and then click generate shortcut.
5.click advanced and enter a banner URL (channel 4 icon for homescreen) I have left a link you can use below but any Google image will work just copy the image location and paste
6.click generate shortcut and wait patiently to install the apk. It also might ask you to give TV app Repo permission to install apps, if so just find TV app Repo select it and go back to the app to install.
7.click the new channel 4 app and it will open it through open web browser. On first run I recommend pressing the back button and selecting the magnifying glass icon changing the zoom to 150% as it gets rid of most of the ads and makes it fit to screen. Also you will be asked to sign in the first time you play a show.
If done correctly you Will have a new channel 4 app that will never break again as it is linked to the website. which channel 4 can never block android devices from accessing without causing too many problems.
If scrolling is too slow press and hold the middle button and it will go into scroll mode and move a lot quicker.
I know it's long winded but channel 4 don't make it easy with them having the Amazon content deal
I will post the link for the uktv apk in a minute just finding it as it's been ages since I've had to install it again but I still am using the app as we speak 1
There's also a chance the other apps can be downloaded from the internet as the phone or fire tv versions sideloaded.
I doubt sky go will work though as I remember them being awkward with using the app through hdmi but not tried for several years.
You would have to use this app to set the screen to landscape if it's the app for a phone https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/eyes-free-project/set-orientation/set-orientation-1-1-4-release/set-orientation-1-1-4-android-apk-download/
You would have to open that app in the app section of settings as it's not got an icon for the homescreen
You may need the mouse toggle app off the play store to control it with your remote if the apps don't respond normally
And you can use this website to make homescreen icons for any apps that don't have them http://atvlauncher.trekgonewild.de/index.php or download the TV app Repo apk to make the icon.
The sooner you stop using the frankly terrible UK streaming apps the happier you'll be.
It wasn't that long ago that iPlayer wasn't available on most Android TV boxes. Maybe that's still the case, I'm not sure. It wasn't available as an app to most boxes before the Chromecast with Google TV came out (it was available on Shield, Sony and maybe others, but was a different app for each, not official BBC, I believe). I had a MiBox 3 for a long time and used Kodi or casting for iPlayer access.