All4 / Google TV / Android TV

[Dingledooodie]

Strangely, the All4 app is available on my Sony Bravia Android TV, but not Chromecast with Google TV (which I use on my bedroom TV).

Android TV and Chromecast with Google TV are almost identical aside from a few minor layout and settings differences AND... the lack of the All4 app on Chromecast with Google TV. (Clumsy name by the way... let's just call it Google TV?)

Can anyone explain what the craic is here, regarding All4? Why is it fine on Android TV but not Google TV?

[MartinBa]

Yes I noticed this today. I think Channel 4 have said they will use the ’Channel 4’ App going forward hopefully they will get this working on all platforms eventually 

[Kimy]

Hi folks,

Appreciate your input here, @MartinBa.

@Dingledooodie, thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community. It’s up to Channel 4 (All4) to decide when or if they will release their app version intended for the Google TV platform. There might be similarities between Android TV and Google TV, but these are still two different platforms. With millions of users around the world, I’m sure they don’t want to miss out on the chance of marketing their app on this platform.

I hope this answers your questions. Let us know if you still have any.

Thanks,

Kimy

[nfuller]

Please get uk support team to answer these as unfortunately you have no clue maybe look back at this constant request and constant lie around it 

[Dingledooodie]

I'm aware that Google TV and Android TV are different (but extremely similar) platforms.

My question was around why CH4/All4 feel okay putting a streamer app on one Google/Android product and not another? What's the problem exactly?

I can watch CH4 TV on my Pixel phone, my Android TV, my Apple iPad, my NowTV stick, etc... but... NOT on my Google TV? This then suggests the issue is with Google doesn't it? 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Kimy]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for joining this thread. We understand that there are apps that you enjoy from a different platform and wanted it in your Chromecast with Google TV. Just like the thousands of users and the hundreds of apps (religious, CCTV apps, fitness, gaming, adult apps, local apps, etc.) that they wish were available in Chromecast with Google TV, this is not a decision that Google alone can make. I suggest you send feedback about this via Settings > Help and Feedback. I also suggest that you send feedback to your CH4/All4 app on other platforms to let them know that you are among the other users who wanted this on the Google TV platform. I’m sure that you’re not the first person to want this to happen.

Let us know if you have other concerns with your Chromecast device.

Warmly,

Kimy

[Dingledooodie]

As I've stated many times, if we can watch Channel 4 via a NOWTV/Roku stick, iOS/Android mobile phone apps, and an Android TV app, WHY can't we do so on Chromecast/GoogleTV?  What are Google NOT doing that the other services are? Why is their relationship with Channel 4 so... lacking?

Channel 4 is a national UK TV channel, not an obscure religious app or a niche adult app and comparing it to such things is... quite frankly... nuts.

Google is well aware that there is HUGE audience for Channel 4. Indeed, there are threads all over the internet about it and people have been ranting about this for YEARS. Many of us have done as asked by the "Community Specialists" here and sent Google and Channel 4 feedback over the years, myself included, but NOTHING happens.

However, I'd like to hope that Google is also feeding back to Channel 4 just what an issue this is for many users. I had to buy a NOWTV stick to watch Channel 4 shows on my Smart TV.  That stick has all the other apps that the Chromecast/Google TV stick has so why should I remain loyal to a company, brand, or product that has been lacking in this area for so long and seems to be doing nothing about it?

Google HAS the feedback, going back years now, why don't THEY show it to Channel 4 and stop repeatedly directing the users to do so?  Most of us have given this feedback already, but KEEP having the onus repeatedly put back on us.  WE. HAVE. GIVEN. THE. FEEDBACK. Not only here in the community pages, but also on other forums, and via the feedback processes you mentioned.

The proverbial ball is in Google's court now, and has been for years. They're a powerful MEGA corporation and they have a very loud voice. THEY, not us, should be speaking to Channel 4.

[Kimy]

Hi Dingledooodie,

We hear you. Thanks for your feedback. We’ll just hope for the best until negotiations between the parties come to fruition. Let us know here if you have other concerns with your Chromecast device.

Sincerely,

Kimy

[nfuller]

That is wishful thinking the team have know for last nearly two years the real frustration they have not done there job and actively worked on getting channel for to produce a version for Google tv. Channel four are clear that google have not been requesting a project to get this finally produced and they say it’s down to google before they claim it’s down to channel 4 😂

[MR-QPR1991]

Channel 4 only works on Android TV running on TVs. This is because it's working through the Freeview app that requires that the TV has a digital tuner built in even if it's not required. 

Channel 4 have no working app for standalone Android TV or Google TV devices. And repeated request have been made since 2015 for them to support the device. There is clearly some exclusive deal that Chanel 4 has that is stopping them as the Fire TV has the application (again running android). Channel 4 even made efforts to attempt to block running of the mobile app on android TV and Google TV.

Side loading the Fire TV APK used to be possible but the app now requires to many Amazon dependencies and it's rather difficult to modify to get working.

Side loading the Channel 4 apk from Sony/TCL/Phillips TVs again also does not work due to it relying on the Freeview TV app and even if your also side load the Freeview TV app aswell it fails to boot.

It's rather annoying I know as fundamentally Google TV/android TV is a great interface and Google should really push more in this space to get bigger brands on board but there's still a huge hole in this space with compatibility issues.

Humax has just bought out a new android TV box and that's a big brand set top box manufacturer but they can't even get support iPlayer/ITVx/channel5. It's crazy 

[Kimy]

Hi MR-QPR1991,

Thanks for participating in this thread. We appreciate the information you shared. It brought clarity to the situation. Let us know if you also have concerns with your Chromecast device.

Thanks,

Kimy

[Dingledooodie]

As is repeatedly advised by service agents in these forums, I emailed CH4 regarding this issue... AGAIN. And, again, I got a rather secretive response from them (see below).

What the heck is going on?

Why won't Google or CH4 say what the issue is? It's just so odd and frustrating. It just makes me wanna boycott both products.

Here's their reply:

Thank you for your enquiry.

We are sorry that the app is not available via Google TV. Unfortunately we are unable to provide info on why the app is not available at this time.

We have noted and logged your feedback for the attention of those responsible.

If you require further information, feel free to email me back or visit www.channel4.com/4viewers/faqs

Kind Regards,

Fred Campbell

Channel 4 Streaming Enquiries

[MR-QPR1991]

They have an exclusive deal with Amazon that they can't discuss for use on stand alone android devices designed for TV.

Channel 4 app can only be included in non Amazon TV devices if the device has a built in tuner using Freeview licences as it's a legal right to have the on-demand on that device.

There is no information on how long the deal is or if it will ever end. Hopefully when Amazon switch to there own OS on there sticks it will change. Either because everyone will dump there sticks as we all know the real reasons most people have them or the contract is broken.

[Dingledooodie]

That doesn't make sense. If they have an exclusive deal with Amazon, how come, as stated in my original post, the CH4/All4 app is available on Apple TV and NowTV sticks?

[Kimy]

Hi Dingledooodie,

Thanks for sharing your conversation with CH4 here. It’s evident that even they have no definitive answer to this. This is more corporate-level information that even a manager-level employee can’t answer, much more for a customer service agent-level. After all, this is not a decision that can be made by a single party alone. And the more parties get involved with this, the further negotiations it takes.

I hope this helps. Are there any technical issues or concerns that we can help you with regarding your Chromecast device? Let us know.

Thanks,

Kimy

[Dingledooodie]

That's as vague and confusing a response as the CH4 one.

Of course I know that a single, low-level, employee can't make such important decisions about apps and platforms.  I wouldn't expect such a thing and that wasn't my question.  I wasn't asking a Customer Service Agent to FIX the issue NOW.  I was asking WHY this issue exists and IF it'll ever be resolved.  Why's that proving so difficult to answer for either Google or CH4???

Why can't either just tell their viewers/customers WHY the CH4/All4 app is available across all other operating systems and platforms EXCEPT Chromecast with Google TV?  Why is there such secrecy and mystery around this?  It's like talking to politicians.  Everybody dancing around the subject using gobbledygook, jargon, and technobabble, without actually answering.  A straight answer in plain English would be lovely.

And, yeah, as previously stated, I DO have a technical issue and concern regarding my Chromecast with Google TV device.  It's the only product of it's type on the market that doesn't have a CH4/All4 app and nobody is telling us why this is so. 

Surely a message can be sent down from Google and CH4 corporate to the respective managers and customer service agents so that they can respond the the many thousands of people wanting an answer to this question???

Issues like this are why Google is losing the streaming race.  Why should we fork out for sub-par devices when other manufacturers are making more wide-ranging and fully formed products.  Meanwhile, us Chromecast with Google TV owners are sat here in the dark not knowing why we can't watch shows from one of the most watched heritage broadcasters in the UK.  Nor, indeed, if we'll ever be able to!

[Kimy]

Hello Dingledooodie,

We hear you. Here in this community, we, your fellow Chromecast with Google TV users (promoted or not), would be glad to help with your product-specific questions and technical concerns (intended functions that are not working). Beyond that, I suggest you either send feedback (if the feature is not intended yet) or reach out to the support team here: Contact Us. You may choose the option of a live chat or a callback from a live representative. We can also send you a form if you prefer communication via email.

Regards,

Kimy