Two Fire Stick TV alternatives owned by Google receive major free channel upgrade with BBC, ITV and Discovery boost

GOOGLE'S Chromecast and new TV Streamer devices have received a major glow-up that makes finding something to watch much easier.

The tech giant has better laid out all the channels available on each device for users to see.

2

2

Google TV Streamer and Chromecast dongles now have a new Channels tab.

The Channels tab shows exactly which stations are available to stream from different streaming apps on the device, for example, ITV1 and ITV2.

Clicking a channel will take users to the livestreaming channel inside its respective app.

However, only channels on supported apps, such as BBC, ITV, Discovery, STV, UTV and Really, are watchable.

READ MORE ON TV STREAMING

NET-PLUS!

New Netflix upgrade will save hours of shuffling - it's totally free

STREAM COME TRUE

Amazon Fire Stick & Roku users unlock Halloween and Christmas TV channels

It's important to note that you must have an account with the app you're trying to stream, otherwise the jump from the Channels tab to the app won't be as seamless.

Despite the BBC iPlayer app not being available on Google TV Streamer devices just yet, BBC shows will still appear in the channels section.

After clicking on BBC channels, owners of Google's new streaming gadget are met with a prompt to download BBC iPlayer on the device.

The app isn't available to download on Google TV Streamer yet, with the device only launching in August for £99 apiece.

Most read in Phones & Gadgets

TEXT BEST THING

Secret iPhone text hacks let you swap invisible messages and schedule sends

I-CONIC!

iPhone has secret list of 'emoji' you've never seen including rare 'anger' icon

SAVE IT!

Easy Sky TV trick unlocks extra storage for your recordings or you'll run out fast

WRONG NUMBER

Warning over bank attack that takes almost complete control of Android phones

BBC iPlayer is available as an app on Chromecast devices so it's not clear why the service is missing from the new Google TV Streamer.

The lack of BBC iPlayer gave the new gadget a rocky start, with early buyers saying it needed to "be sorted asap".

It's worth noting that Channel 4 is not available on either Android TV devices.

Google launched its new TV Streamer, which boasts faster speeds, bigger storage and more features, to eventually replace Chromecast.

Apps available on Google TV Streamer at launch:

• YouTube
• Netflix
• ITVX
• Channel 5
• Disney+
• Prime Video
• NOW
• Discovery+
• MUBI
• STARZ ON
• Crunchyroll
• Rakuten VIKI
• Dailymotion

How to cut streaming bills with top FREE TV

Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime don't come cheap - and year on year subscription costs seem to go up.

Fortunately there are loads of free streaming TV alternatives not everyone knows about.

And we're not just talking about BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Here are some free alternatives worth trying:

• Hidden streamed channels on your TV from Samsung and LG
• Pluto TV with more than 100 extra channels
• Amazon's free alternative Freevee
• The free streaming service with more than 30,000 movies and no ads – and all you need is a library card