topic Re: Why can I only add programs to my watchlist from the search menu? in Streaming

Why can I only add programs to my watchlist from the search menu?

-ceej — Sun, 05 May 2024 20:07:51 GMT

This exact question was asked in Sept of 2022. It had 1 response asking for Feedback, then the issue was closed. Now the new Chromecast with Google TV 4K is out and from descriptions I read there appeared to be some automation or better answer (available/promised?) than from 2 years ago. Here's the question in detail:

Suppose I get a recommendation or hear about a new show or am just browsing through a streaming source provider's app and I (start to) watch it, or want to remember it. Previously I would add it to the watch list in my account with that source provider. But *now* I want it added to my ChromeCast Watchlist. How do I make that happen? (1) Will Chromecast notice and offer to add it to my Watchlist? (2) Can I take some manual action (from within the streaming app), preferably as I am watching it or when finished watching it, to have it added to my CC WatchList? i.e. maybe have Chromecast do some 'screen scraping' or equivalent to get the title? (3) Do I have to (pause it and) go back to the Chromecast menu, do a search for it, then add it to the CC WatchList, then return to the streaming app? (4) What if Chromecast search cannot find it, or find it on the service that I'm watching it? Is there some manual (override) entry process that can create a Chromecast Waitlist entry?

I hope there can be some answer or some discussion before this question is closed to comments.

-ceej

PS - I still have no good clue as to what 'platform' I am supposed to choose to characterize such a question.

Re: Why can I only add programs to my watchlist from the search menu?

JWillRVA — Mon, 06 May 2024 02:19:15 GMT

This should 100% be possible for Google to do. Currently on Apple TV(hardware not Apple TV+ streaming service), which I’m switching OFF of, their software pulls in content providers My Shows, Watchlists, etc.. and combines them in one place. If it is added to a Netflix Watchlist for example, in then shows up on Apples TV homepage as a show with upcoming episodes under “Up Next”.

Id love to see that capability added to Chromecast as well. Upvoted.

Re: Why can I only add programs to my watchlist from the search menu?

-ceej — Mon, 06 May 2024 21:31:28 GMT

In my post about PBS app not being found/searched, a replier mentioned how to send feedback. I did so, and posted the reply in that thread. Since I do not know if/how to reference/link another thread, I will include it here as well.

This is what I sent:

Chromecast can't always find the show or episode that I want through its search function . But I still want an entry in my watch list. Here are two suggestions: (1) Provide a form for manual entry. Let the user identify the app and type in the title of the show. Or better, (2) When I have the app in question open and the show in question highlighted or actually running, provide a way for me to use the Chromecast remote to go back to Chromecast and tell it to grab what I'm currently looking at and put it in my watch list.

Those would go a long way for the Chromecast Watchlist to actually become a (full) record of my personal current streaming catalog and a jumping off spot to allow me to get to any of them.

Thanks for listening. I hope you give this some serious consideration, or are already working on a design and implementation of your own. But I wanted to let you know that it's an important feature.