UK's EE TV Platform Launches With Customized Apple TV 4K

[mazz0]

I don't really get why services like this are still a thing. Do they get you more TV programmes for less money than it'd cost just signing up to your preferred streaming apps?

Like, it mentions Netflix and Sky - is it cheaper than subscribing to those separately?

I'm assuming it doesn't include the advert-free options on ITV, Channel 4 etc.

 

[zobby]

Same

This is weird. I’m in the UK. Haven’t been able to choose subtitles for months with the BBC’s app on the latest Apple TV. The option just isn’t there

 

[AdeFowler]

Eh? Works perfectly for me. Subtitles the lot...

Interesting. I’ve never had a problem with the app itself, but I’ve never managed to get subtitles to work, which is kind of a dealbreaker for me.

Even the BBC iPlayer website says they aren’t available.

Why are there no subtitles on BBC iPlayer via Apple TV? | iPlayer help

There are technical challenges associated with delivering subtitles to Apple TV which will require a significantly different solution to that which we use on all other platforms. If you require subtitles, please access iPlayer on another device. For example, using iPlayer on the television to...

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[djfitz]

Guessing they made a deal with Apple to have the Apple TVs "tagged" into an Apple-internal sort of MDM profile that downloads the EE app automatically on setup at the customer's home. They wouldn't even have to open any of the boxes or touch the Apple TVs.

Here is info on the Apple program set-top box manufacturers can use to deliver a fully configured Apple TV for e.g. a cable TV company:

Supporting Set-Top Box and Zero Sign-On for TV Providers​

Implementing Apple’s Set-Top Box (STB) APIs allows TV Providers that are participating in TV Provider Authentication integration to distribute Apple TV as a Set-Top Box option. Using Apple TV as a Set-Top Box allows the end user to have a custom out-of-box experience specific to their TV Provider. This experience includes, but is not limited to, automatic TV Provider detection, authentication and automatic app installation.

 

[Jamie0003]

Something I’ve never understood, is why don’t we have an equivalent to freeview play on the Apple TV? I know you can stream live channels in the dedicated apps but there’s no option for a service like this, where you can flip between channels with a live tv guide and the like and I ain’t paying for EE TV.

I might pay for a tv license again if this was possible

 

[Fradley]

Looks as though your broadband has to be provided by BT or EE for this to work?

I’ve downloaded the app on my 4K Apple TV and can’t get beyond the “sign in with EE or BT” stage.

Has anyone had more success? Seems daft to tie a service like this to specific broadband providers…

 

[il_teo77]

How can they have the app preinstalled? Is the AppleTV set up, before being sent to the buyer and what AppleID do they use? Does anyone know how this is done?

Don't know how since I personally had an Apple ID. BUT, my provider (Salt Switzerland) sells the same exact device and remote and service (TV over AppleTV). once connected to the WiFi router of the provider, under TV provider in the menu, you can choose the provider. As far as the app goes I installed it from the App Store with my AppleID. Aldo because, usually, one of the first things it needs to do is update the app...

 

[Jay-Jacob]

Interesting but a shame the iPlayer app is total tripe on TV. Every time I load it it just says "Something went wrong", there's no 4K streaming, no subtitle support, no kids profile support… blargh.

The BBC view TV as proprietary and extra work to support, so have done the bare minimum. They had to be shamed into making an iPlayer app for TVOS in the first place, after a dev did their own version and posted a video on twitter showing it only took a few hours… 🫣

I agree BBC so lazy when it come to Apple TV! No subtitles whatsoever when they do have them on iPhone, iPad, web and Roku! I am Deaf so I am forced to use Mac or iPad to watch BBC instead of Apple TV. So annoying!

Eh? Works perfectly for me. Subtitles the lot...

WHAT??? How you get subtitles working on BBC iPlayer on Apple TV??? I need them and cannot watch without it and they never add it in.

 

[chenks]

I agree BBC so lazy when it come to Apple TV! No subtitles whatsoever when they do have them on iPhone, iPad, web and Roku! I am Deaf so I am forced to use Mac or iPad to watch BBC instead of Apple TV. So annoying!

it's not about the BBC being lazy.
the appletv does not support DVB-DASH, which is the industry standard that iplayer uses to distribute UHD content and subtitles. the nvidia shield doesn't support it either. a few firestick devices do, but not all of them.

WHAT??? How you get subtitles working on BBC iPlayer on Apple TV??? I need them and cannot watch without it and they never add it in.

they haven't. they are either lying or aren't talking about iplayer on tvOS.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

it's not about the BBC being lazy.
the appletv does not support DVB-DASH, which is the industry standard that iplayer uses to distribute UHD content and subtitles. the nvidia shield doesn't support it either. a few firestick devices do, but not all of them.

I still think they are anyway since Disney+ have subtitles, also ITV, channel 4 and channel 5 as well on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video when I do subscribe it once in while also have subtitles on Apple TV. BBC iPlayer really is only one that doesn't. If everyone else managed to then they should manage it too.

they haven't. they are either lying or aren't talking about iplayer on tvOS.

That what I thought but was hoping I missed something how to switch it on. No such luck.

 

[chenks]

I still think they are anyway since Disney+ have subtitles, also ITV, channel 4 and channel 5 as well on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video when I do subscribe it once in while also have subtitles on Apple TV. BBC iPlayer really is only one that doesn't. If everyone else managed to then they should manage it too.

you're comparing apps that use different technology though, some not even linear providers.
should the BBC, who are publicly funded, spend money to create a version just for a niche product such as the appletv, when just about every TV on the market (even the most cheapest) support the delivery method being used - i suggest they shouldn't, and it should be tvOS that adds support for DVB-DASH, afterall it already supports MPEG-DASH which is what netflix etc use.

ITV, CH4 and 5 don't even provide UHD content, so not sure they should be used as comparisons.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

ITV, CH4 and 5 don't even provide UHD content, so not sure they should be used as comparisons.

That doesn't matter. Access is access. If it have UHD on BBC iPlayer I still cannot watch it since no subtitles. Even though ITV, CH4 and CH5 doesn't have UHD but at least I can watch it since it does have subtitles.

1) Subtitles
2) Video quality

It will be that order.

 

[forzagaribaldi]

Interesting but a shame the iPlayer app is total tripe on TV. Every time I load it it just says "Something went wrong", there's no 4K streaming, no subtitle support, no kids profile support… blargh.

The BBC view TV as proprietary and extra work to support, so have done the bare minimum. They had to be shamed into making an iPlayer app for TVOS in the first place, after a dev did their own version and posted a video on twitter showing it only took a few hours… 🫣

All works fine for me and has done for a long time (we only have small HD TVs though so not sure about 4K). It could do with some work to make it a better experience (I no longer see a TV guide for example) and like most apps on AppleTV it would really help if the user accounts were linked to people's icloud accounts rather than having to manually pick a user on launch.

 

[chenks]

1) Subtitles
2) Video quality

they are both provided using the same mechanism, that's why both aren't supported on tvOS.
as i said, IMO, it's up to apple to add support for DVB-DASH, not the BBC to create a special version just for tvOS - that's just poor use of limited funds.

 

[chenks]

All works fine for me and has done for a long time (we only have small HD TVs though so not sure about 4K). It could do with some work to make it a better experience (I no longer see a TV guide for example) and like most apps on AppleTV it would really help if the user accounts were linked to people's icloud accounts rather than having to manually pick a user on launch.

so subtitles work for you? i suggest they don't, as they aren't supported on the tvOS version.

 

[Donfor39]

Could be competitive V VM Stream.
Though not until FTTP is available, seems my area is years away yet.
Including Apple t.v. helps, though No return to Fixed Landline if including BT Fibre.

 

[SidricTheViking]

Same for ‘eir’ in Ireland. I’ve had one of these customised Apple TV boxes for a couple of years now, including a very similar-looking remote control.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Bet it’s not the ethernet version.

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

Can anyone tell me why I have to select an account EVERYTIME I open the iplayer app on AppleTV? There is only one account!

 

[GaryMumford]

For UK residents, this could be quite good, especially if it means we can avoid using the dismal ITV App.....

Amen to that

 

[chenks]

Can anyone tell me why I have to select an account EVERYTIME I open the iplayer app on AppleTV? There is only one account!

you'll need to ask BBC that

 

[coradia]

Something I’ve never understood, is why don’t we have an equivalent to freeview play on the Apple TV? I know you can stream live channels in the dedicated apps but there’s no option for a service like this, where you can flip between channels with a live tv guide and the like and I ain’t paying for EE TV.

I might pay for a tv license again if this was possible

Coming soon. See New service from UK public service broadcasters will deliver live free TV via IP.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I don't really get why services like this are still a thing. Do they get you more TV programmes for less money than it'd cost just signing up to your preferred streaming apps?

Like, it mentions Netflix and Sky - is it cheaper than subscribing to those separately?

I'm assuming it doesn't include the advert-free options on ITV, Channel 4 etc.

No. Just priced up their big sport package and if you sub to NOW TV sport, Discovery Plus Premium which includes TNT sport and Netflix it works out roughly the same. £75 ish a month

The EE TV deal does give you three months half price but then they also charge you a £30 one off set up cost and lock you into a contact.

 

[forzagaribaldi]

so subtitles work for you? i suggest they don't, as they aren't supported on the tvOS version.

You're quite right. I'm sure they did at some point and the options are there but I just checked and none are shown. Don't use them so just assumed they were available as the options are present. D'oh!

 

[Jay-Jacob]

You're quite right. I'm sure they did at some point and the options are there but I just checked and none are shown. Don't use them so just assumed they were available as the options are present. D'oh!

I rely on subtitles. BBC iPlayer for Apple TV never had subtitles all that time unfortunately. Options for subtitles did appear in past before but it never worked, it was Apple adding options on TVOS.