Playback error with Channel 4 app on Chromecast

[Jess991]

I'm having the same problem as the following thread: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Chromecast/Channel-4-in-the-UK/m-p/631369

Every time I try to cast from the Channel 4 app, it plays all of the advertisements and then I get a playback error message. I can see that this has been a problem for many users here on the community and also through Reddit.

I have already followed all the steps listed in the thread and I'm still experiencing the same issue. Please help!!!!!

[gunfleet]

The problem with that fix  though is you are removing all security updates to the apps including WebView, which leaves your device open to attacks.

You are then disabling automatic updates so you will not receive security fixes. It may work by reverting the apps to a previous version which does not have the issue with Channel 4, but it is not a satisfactory solution, that can only come from Channel 4 fixing it's issue with the Latest version of the Android components.

[Joey249]

Disabling automatic updates is just for the play store, not the actual chromecast. You can still go into the play store and manually update other apps as needed, just avoiding the WebView and Google Cast (app) updates until a proper fix is released.

Obviously this isn't an ideal solution, but a temporary fix until when, or even if, they release a proper fix.  This solution was in Sony's troubleshooting solution which they posted themselves as linked in my original post to the fix.

When I tested updating the apps again after clearing the updates, i done both the Google Cast and WebView update at the same time, so there is also a possibility that the issue only lies with one of these apps, but i haven't tested that far yet. So for example, it might be still fixed if WebView is updated while leaving the Google Cast app at its factory update.

[gunfleet]

I read the Sony solution, after advising to uninstall the updates for WebView and Chromecast (Step 9), it then advises to install the latest versions (Step 10) so it's not advising to turn off automatic updates. This fix would just be refreshing the apps in case of corruption, so you still should have the latest versions. 
All other Chromecast functions are working, and other sites can be Cast to the TV, it is only Channel 4 with the problem

[Joey249]

While that is true, having the updates re-installed is essentially what's corrupting Channel 4.  I done some more testing, updating "Android System WebView" again actually still allows channel 4 to work, so the issue is just with the update of "Google Cast/Chromecast built-in" app.

I'll update my post to clarify on this so if users want to have that updated they can.

Considering Android System WebView and the actual operating system of Chromecast can still be updated, I don't see there been a major security issue of leaving Google Cast at its factory app update, but obviously everyone to their own. For me personally, i'd rather have my chromecast and channel 4 working correctly than having the latest updates on a device i cant fully utilise.  The fix i posted has already helped somebody so again everyone to their own.

[gunfleet]

Fair enough, WebView is the major security issue as it's used for many internet facing apps, so if that can be kept at the latest version I doubt the Chromecast is a big risk.

[Kayteerid]

I have just done step 1,3 &4 and it seems to be working so far!!! Thank you 😊 

[Joey249]

No problem! Just be sure to disable the automatic Play Store updates as mentioned in the post as if Google Cast/Chromecast built-in gets updated automatically, channel 4 will stop working again.  In the future i'm sure it will eventually get an update to fix this issue but for now this is a good work-around!

[Kayteerid]

Yep will do that- thank you again!

[Lucyjanet]

Worked for me, thanks for this! Back up and running at least for now. 

[Kayteerid]

Experiencing the same issue. SO FRUSTRATING as I’ve just bought this chromecast over a fire stick and now can’t access the majority of programmes I watch.

[Wookiees]

I am facing the same issue which seems isolated to the Google Chromecast with Google TV. I have and old Google 2nd gen Chromecast where it works perfectly so points to the Google tv application.

This was working previously to the recent July firmware update to android 12.

[Wkstu]

Same problem here. Seem to have had issues casting with Channel 4 for years. So poor. 

[mjayed]

I have a Sony smart tv.. this has happened to it but the resolution above doesn't work for this tv.. as can't find any of those apps installed to stop updates etc..

Any resolutions for Sony tv with similar problem? 

Thanks

[gunfleet]

if you go to settings (the cog icon on the right of the home screen) scroll down and select Apps, then scroll down and select show System Apps, then you will see the Chromecast app mentioned in the fix, it will have the option to uninstall updates.

[mjayed]

Thanks...

Cleared data and uninstalled chrome cast app and the Android Web app.. 

The Channel 4 app now doesn't have the icon to cast.. 

And other apps that were casting don't have the option either..

[gunfleet]

Not sure what you mean there, you are casting to your Sony TV from another device I presume? Uninstalling updates from the Google Cast app on the TV will not affect the cast icon on other devices. Make sure to reboot the TV after making changes. To be clear you are uninstalling Updates, Not the entire app

[mjayed]

Yeah I uninstalled updates

[mjayed]

Add i said.. did the steps above and hasn't worked as the icon on the apps for casting disappears when i follow the steps above.. so I've updated them and the icon has come back.. which means Channel 4 still not casting but the other apps are casting again

Didn't work for me..

[gunfleet]

yes it's pretty bad Channel 4 still hasn't come up with a fix, their YouView app on my Sony is buggy and slow also, as is the Sony software. I'm thinking of giving up and buying a Roku or Amazon stick. The new Google TV streamer looks good also  but I presume it will have the same issues with Channel 4

[gunfleet]

Just investigated the Google TV streamer, looks like it doesn't have Channel 4 player or BBC iPlayer, so it's fairly useless
https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Streaming/Google-TV-Streamer-BBC-iPlayer-App-missing/td-p/645...

[mjayed]

I just connect the laptop to the tv with hdmi and playback that way.. at the mo

[davdevalle]

RichieRich81 provided this protocol.  It worked. 

Go onto Google Settings ,

Go to app , - go to see all apps and look for

Google cast clear cache,

force stop

delete update,

That should fix the problem, it’s a problem with google, it’s happened to me a couple of times when google updates , just remove there latest update of google cast

[mjayed]

None of the fixes worked for me.. so just connecting the laptop up to tv and HDMI to tv to watch at the moment. 

I contacted Channel 4 and Chromecast.. 

Channel 4 replied... 

Thank you for your email in regards to streaming on Channel 4.
 
In response to your further mail.  Whilst we are not able to go into details on the cause of the issue we are working with Google to rectify as quickly as possible.
 
We appreciate your patience with this matter.

[gunfleet]

They have been saying that for months, apparently it's a DRM issue which requires many hours of work. They could solve all this by releasing an Android TV version of their app, but I guess that would have the same DRM issues.

[gunfleet]

There is now an Android TV version of the Channel 4 app, sideloaded seems to be working so far, hopefully will appear on the Playstore soon

[mjayed]

How do you sideload it? 

[gunfleet]

Download from APK mirror, put it on a USB stick, plug into TV, browse to the file and install with APK mirror app
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/channel-4-television-corporation/channel-4-android-tv/channel-4-androi...

[jamie_rs]

Thanks for the heads up, i have jsut found and installed it via the play store on my TV's signed in and all is well with the world again! i was so close to jumping ship to Fire TV