Chromecast and Live Tv Streaming

[blueST]

Does anyone know why it is not possible to watch live tv via Google Chromecast using the ITV Player or All4 apps? They only allow casting of catchup stuff. iPlayer, NowTV and BT Sport all allow streaming of live stuff via a Chromecast so it’s not impossible.

I contacted Channel 4 to ask why, but they just fobbed me off with some waffle about them always working to improve the app, but didn’t actually answer my question.

[Lucas Ayde]

blueST said:

Does anyone know why it is not possible to watch live tv via Google Chromecast using the ITV Player or All4 apps? They only allow casting of catchup stuff. iPlayer, NowTV and BT Sport all allow streaming of live stuff via a Chromecast so it’s not impossible.

I contacted Channel 4 to ask why, but they just fobbed me off with some waffle about them always working to improve the app, but didn’t actually answer my question.

Wouldn't be surprised if its something to do with TV licencing implications.

You are supposed to pay a licence to watch live TV over the air or if you use iPlayer in the UK so presumably they don't want to drag their streaming app into the realms of something you could be obliged to own a TV licence to use .. or could be dragged into the debate.

Just a CYA move in case the issue kicks off at some point in the future (I reckon that there is going to be a big TV licencing debate in the not too far future - lots of people are exclusively using internet services now so don't want to pay what amounts to a yearly sub to a pay service for TV that they don't watch - and plenty of others just hate what the BBC has become and don't want to fund them).

Personally, I found that I had stopped watching live OTA TV a while back (Youtube/Prime/Netflix for me) and I also find a lot of the stuff that the BBC makes to be politically biased, so I've stopped paying a licence. I don't use their service and I'm certainly not going to pay to fund their output.

[blueST]

I’m similar in that I watch most things via the net now. The kitchen TV which gets most use only has a Chromecast and no aerial. Just occasionally there is something on that I’d like to watch as it’s broadcast (F1 on Ch4 usually), but I can’t and they are quite sluggish to put it up to watch on Catch-up sometimes.

The nonsensical part of it is you can watch live via the app on your phone, or via the web on a PC, you just can’t Chromecast it, so I think it must be something other than TV licensing behind it.