Google TV Streamer: BBC iPlayer App missing

[adamtstewart]

Where is the BBC iPlayer App? I know it was supported on the previous 4K Chromecast with Google TV?

Seems odd to me that a product like this launches in the UK and doesn't have the biggest TV Channel/Network's app available to use.

Same with Channel 4 too.

Please advise or help!?

[TechWithBrett · Accepted solution]

Bummer. The Google TV Streamer is built on Android 14 which is first Google TV device to have this update. Google announced this back in May and gave developers the ability to start testing there apps. It looks like BBC iPlayer just needs to go in and update it to be compatible with the newer OS. 

[TechWithBrett]

Hello @adamtstewart,

As I am not in can't verify if it has support for the Google TV Streamer. Here is the link to it in the Play store and you can see if it lets you send the install to the Google TV: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bbc.iplayer.android

I would recommend reaching out to them to request support for Android TV. It would be the same for the other Channels all as well.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Brett

[adamtstewart]

Thanks Brett, it displays as "This item is not compatible with your device" next to the TV Streamer.

Just annoys me that Google didn't talk to the BBC beforehand to get it tested and approved before launch?

[TechWithBrett · Accepted solution]

Bummer. The Google TV Streamer is built on Android 14 which is first Google TV device to have this update. Google announced this back in May and gave developers the ability to start testing there apps. It looks like BBC iPlayer just needs to go in and update it to be compatible with the newer OS. 

[adamtstewart]

I had a reply from the BBC today:

"Google need to submit this model to us for testing before we certify the device. The certified Google devices for iPlayer are listed on our website linked below. When new devices get certificated, they will be added here."

So it's very much on Google by the sounds of it. Pretty poor and highlights the lack of judgment on Google's side to launch without BBC iPlayer certified.

[Ehrine]

To be fair, for all we know they have already submitted it and are waiting on the BBC and the person who responded didn't know that (as all they knew is it hadn't been certified yet). So it could just as easily be the BBC as it is Google.

[InterWashers]

All of the other vendors seem to have managed to make their apps work, but then they aren't close to extinction like the BBC is 🤣

[Underscore5]

I got a reply from the BBC and they are saying to contact Google. iPlayer has been certified by the BBC to work on the Google TV streamer. So it's down to Google to sort it out and get it on the play store. 

[InterWashers]

Strange how all other apps still work though

[BeeHog]

Hey there, I was looking into this missing app myself today and noticed that the BBC list the Google TV Streamer as certified on their site - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/supported-devices/google 

Perhaps this is a very recent update, but any idea why the app is still not available to add to the Google TV Streamer?

[InterWashers]

It will be in the metadata of the app to say what is supported. I guess they haven't updated it yet

[Underscore5]

It's been certified by the BBC now but still no app on play store.

[nestuser1000]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/supported-devices/google

[nestuser1000]

Have to wait for the BBC to test it. Hopefully this time they will certify it for HLG.

[adamtstewart]

Google should have given the BBC early access to do this. Not wait till launch. It makes the product feel unfinished and amateur.

[EddieBGreen]

Have just discovered the same - setting up the device to replace my aging and erratic Shield Tube. Not great. 

NextUp comedy also seems to be missing certification.

[Thewookiewon]

Ditto, rather silly to sell in the UK without one of the core UK TV streamer apps

[Simplesi007]

Was looking forward to using the Google streamer. Unplugged my Google tv dongle, spent the past hour setting everything up, now unplugged and Google TV plugged back in as it has the BBC app. Also, why does Google not have an amount migration process from Google TV to streamer... Amateurs 

[Ehrine]

It's not as simple as just migrating an account. The issue here is BBC need to certify the hardware. The Chromecast with Google TV had the same issue when it first launched and we had to wait a few weeks for the BBC to certify the app on the new hardware. Add in that the Streamer is using a different OS at the base (android 14 vs android 13 iirc) and that will also account for some of the delay.
I'm sure it's coming, but all we can do is wait.

[Simplesi007]

I'm referring to the user accounts, not the specific apps. Just like when you get a new android phone, you can migrate the accounts across. With the TV streamer you need to put in each account (including the kids) again, and select all of the setting which are the same as on Google TV. It just seems to be duplicating effort that has already been made and not a great user experience. 

[InterWashers]

That's just because iPlayer creates local accounts to the device and not like all other streaming apps that stores the profiles in your account.

[InterWashers]

It's strange the so many other random apps just work. This is pretty poor showing from Google and BBC 🤬

[Advancedbox · Accepted solution]

I've side loaded BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 and they both work perfectly

[InterWashers]

Yep looks like this works. Thanks 👍. Shouldn't be nessary though

[DanielFreer]

Thank you very much for this answer! It has stopped me from having to return the new Google Streamer because of BBC & Channel 4 not offering apps. 

[Thewookiewon]

How? Or just USB the APK file? 

[InterWashers]

The webpage posted by AdvancedBox suggests to use send files, which is a good option. I think avtTools is better 

[Thewookiewon]

Worked for channel 4 but it wouldn't allow iplayer to install oddly

[Thewookiewon]

NVM, tried the same file and it studied second time. 

[StargazerUK]

Still waiting on iPlayer but Channel 4 has added an official Android TV app surprisingly but for those who want the live channels that's missing and for now on demand content which for me suits me as I don't watch live TV. 

[Underscore5]

the Google TV streamer is now certified by the BBC for iPlayer 

Can't see it in the play store though. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/supported-devices/google

[Underscore5]

Hi can Google confirm when the apk for iPlayer will be on the play store. 

BBC have certified it but they say talk to Google. 

Please help

[ChrisH_61]

I just bought one of these streamers, delivered today to replace my 5 year-old BT YouView box.

This is going back to Google if BBC iPlayer app isn't there soon, it's far and away the most used app I have on other devices. I have a Sony Google TV and been using iPlayer on that for well over a year now (maybe nearer 2). What's the issue, since it's been certified?

[mildenhall]

Side load it and everything will be fine. Read the posts above for how to do it.

[ChrisH_61]

I just tried it and can't get past the last screen, shown below. I tried all the buttons on the remote (up, down. left, right, ok, back etc), but nothing could let me change the setting, so it wouldn't let me install.

[InterWashers]

Slide that slider over so goes blue

[ChrisH_61]

Thanks - but as I said, nothing I do on the remote allows me to change the setting

[mildenhall]

Is developer mode on?

Go to Settings, then About in the Device row
Scroll down and click Build multiple times until you see a dialog that says "You are now a developer"

[ChrisH_61]

Thanks, got in with that advice & installed it.

Presumably I'll be able to uninstall when the official play store one arrives.

[InterWashers]

Yep 👍