Google TV Streamer’s UK Blunder: BBC iPlayer Left Out

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It’s been just over a week since Google launched its shiny new Google TV Streamer, and while many users are enjoying the upgraded specs and fancy AI features, there’s a glaring omission for UK viewers: BBC iPlayer.

That’s right: despite being a cornerstone of British streaming – and despite it being supported on the previous Chromecasts – the Beeb’s catch-up service is nowhere to be found on Google’s latest gadget. 

Google TV Streamer: A Promising Start With Glaring Omissions

When Google unveiled its new Google TV Streamer on September 24, 2024, it promised a significant upgrade from its popular Chromecast line.

Google TV Streamer 4K

Priced at £99, this set-top box boasts impressive specs: a faster processor (though not fast enough, according to some early reviews), 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

It supports 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and even incorporates AI-powered features using Google’s Gemini technology.

On paper, it seemed like a great streaming device for UK viewers. However, early adopters have encountered an unexpected issue that’s left many scratching their heads.

Upon setting up their new Google TV Streamers, UK users quickly noticed a significant absence: the BBC iPlayer app is nowhere to be found.

BBC iPlayer loading on TV

This discrepancy between the assumed features and the actual product has led to considerable confusion and frustration among consumers.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time a new streaming device has launched without immediate support for BBC iPlayer – but with iPlayer being such an important part of streaming in the UK – buying a streaming device with it is a major issue.

The Certification Conundrum

The root of the problem likely lies in the BBC’s certification process. Streaming devices need to be “certified” by the BBC for iPlayer, and this often takes time.

We’ve seen this cause delays before – the launch of the Manhattan T4-R Freeview recorders, for example, was held up for this very reason.

It’s possible that the BBC simply didn’t have enough early access to the Google TV Streamer to complete the certification process before launch.

As of now, the only Google TV devices on the BBC’s certified list are the Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K and HD dongles, and the original 2013 Chromecast.

Workarounds for the Impatient

As of this writing, the Google TV Streamer seems to be facing stock issues – and estimated shipping dates are all in November (you can order it here).

Therefore, by the time you actually get it, the iPlayer issue will hopefully be resolved.

But if you’ve already managed to snag the device, and you’re not willing to wait for official support, there are a couple of workarounds available:

Casting: Since the Google TV Streamer still supports the “casting” option (like its Chromecast predecessors), you can cast BBC iPlayer videos from your phone’s iPlayer app to the device. It’s not as smooth as a native app, but it’ll do in a pinch.

Sideloading: For the more tech-savvy among us, it’s possible to “sideload” the BBC iPlayer app onto the device. However, this method isn’t officially supported and may not work as expected – Proceed with caution if you decide to go this route.

The Channel 4 Conundrum

It’s worth noting that the BBC iPlayer isn’t the only UK streaming service missing from the Google TV Streamer.

The Channel 4 streaming app is also notably absent – a problem that’s sadly common across all Android TV devices for reasons that remain unclear.

Channel 4 app on Sky Glass

This double whammy of missing UK catch-up services is a significant blow for British users of the new streamer – and while the BBC iPlayer app will probably show up eventually, the long absence of the Channel 4 app is worrying.

For now, we’ll have to play the waiting game. If past patterns hold, we might see iPlayer pop up on the Google TV Streamer in the coming weeks or months.

We’ve reached out to the BBC for comment on the situation, and will update this article if they respond.

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4 thoughts on “Google TV Streamer’s UK Blunder: BBC iPlayer Left Out”

  1. Was BBC late to the Chromecast? I’m not sure they were there at the start.
    Channel 4 allows casting. I believe the issue with the lack of apps across the Android platform has to do with compatibility for so many devices, the costs involved, and the simplicity of streaming. C4 does have apps across Apple devices, but this is an almost universal standard across the devices, so it is less costly.
    Having an STB with legacy apps seems quite odd. Surely, casting to television would be cheaper for broadcasters than developing many apps with varying results across many platforms.

    Reply
  2. No great loss. I haven’t watched the BBC since Clarkson and co. left for Amazon, ITV in almost 20 years, C4 in a decade or a C5 show ever.

    Reply

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