Google TV (service)
Google TV is a digital distribution service for movies and TV shows. It is operated by Google. Announced in September 2020, as a service it allows users to search and discover video titles available across multiple streaming services as well as to rent or to buy available titles from Google and add any selected title to a watchlist for watching or accessing such titles from eligible devices and platforms. The buy, rent or preorder options were also part of Google Play Movies & TV, another service by Google which later was moved to Google TV service.
For other uses, see Google TV (disambiguation).The purchased or rented video titles can be watched by a signed-in user on Android TV devices, Google TV devices, the Google TV mobile app (Android and iOS) and YouTube. The Google TV mobile app can download video for offline watching. The search, discover and watchlist options are also available on the Google Search website, the Google TV app on mobile devices, TVs with Google Assistant and Google TV devices.
Overview[edit]
The Google TV service was announced in September 2020 along with the launch of Chromecast with Google TV having an updated interface with service features available first on it and to be made available later on some Android TVs.[1][2] At the same time, the Google Play Movies & TV app was also updated with same interface as well as related features and was renamed to Google TV on Android mobile devices in the United States.[2] The Google TV user interface is deeply integrated with the Google TV video service.[3]
The service expanded to iOS in June 2022.[4]
Features[edit]
Purchase and library access[edit]
The Google TV service offers options to rent or buy movies and television shows in various video resolutions including SD, HD and UHD, depending on geographic as well as devices and platform availability.[6]
Available content titles can be purchased through a Google TV device or the Google TV app. The purchase feature is not available on iPhone and iPad. The purchased content is added to the library associated with the signed-in Google Account.[6]
Content titles purchased through Google Play Movies & TV or through YouTube can also be found in library associated with the same Google Account and can be accessed using Google TV on eligible devices and platforms.[6]
The Shop tab on Android TV devices can also be used to explore and buy or rent video titles distributed under Google TV service.[7]
Watchlist[edit]
Movies and shows can be added to a watchlist to find or watch content later. The watchlist is associated with the user account and updates across devices of a signed-in account when some content is added to it. Certain content from some streaming services cannot be added to watchlist. Content titles can be watched, removed or added on watchlist from a Google TV device, Google TV app, or from Google Search in a web browser.[9]
Recommendations and content preferences[edit]
In agreement with partners, Google provides recommended content to users of the Google TV service with the app or dedicated Google TV devices. Google sets default ordering and selections for streaming services based on app popularity, installed apps, user saved services, and contractual agreements with Google's partners.[10]
A user can add streaming services by selecting from list of available services using Google TV app or a Google TV device in order to get more content recommendations from those services. These options aren't available for all shows and movies on every streaming service.[10] Streaming services can be linked or unlinked to a user's Google account.[11]
If a user is signed in with their Google Account and Web & App Activity is turned on, Google makes recommendations based on several factors which include:[12]
Select smart TVs and streaming devices have Google TV interface built-in. The Google TV interface has underlying Android TV operating system.[14]
The list of Google TV devices includes the following:
