BBC iplayer ceasing on tv

[LIZS]

Our Panasonic "smart" tv is losing the BBC iplayer app on 30th October. Over time we have already lost other apps like Itvx etc. What is the best device to support such streaming services instead? We have a Sky+ box but that seems more selective as to what we can access retrospectively or need to remember to record. Or can we just link an ipad or similar to view?

If you get a fire stick you can access all of the standard apps through that. That’s probably the best and cheapest solution

I use an Amazon Firestick and get all the apps - no monthly cost. My TV is around 9 years old - I just need to have it connected to WiFi.

If you already have a sky box most of them now have an “apps” section where you can access iplayer, itv, Netflix etc and sign in to each account you currently use.

if your sky box doesn’t have this an Amazon fire stick is a cheap way to top up your tv smart capabilities and access the apps you’ve lost on the tv.

Thanks, everyone. Does a firestick include itvx , the lists I saw seemed to suggest not. Looks like netflix app will continue on the tv for now.

Just checked ours and yes, itvx is on there :)

Thanks, looks like we need to reset the broadband connection but that could work.

Tried via the Sky box and soon realised why I had previously used the tv app instead, as you have to download a programme to view rather than just watch.

"Smart" TVs are a huge waste of money. They all stop updating after a couple of years and then the clock is ticking until some or other app stops working. All I want is a nice panel with an HDMI input for a Fire Stick or Chromecast.

FWIW I use a Fire Stick at the moment, but if it died tomorrow I would get a Chromecast. The more recent Chromecasts come with a remote control and run all the Fire Stick apps, plus they are a lot better integrated with the casting features of phones/tablets/(Chrome)browser on a computer.

Both Fire Stick and Chromecast have apps for BBC/ITVX/C4/C5. And if the worst comes to the worst, since both are Android devices, they will often be able to run a vanilla phone app, albeit with a clunky screen layout and sometimes needing a mouse emulator to navigate.

If you have a Sky+ box it won't have apps, you need Sky Q for apps, I would get a Firestick as PP have suggested or a Roku stick is similar.

@LIZS how did you find out you were losing it? I think I'm going to be in the same position with an old Panasonic that no longer has ITV/Channel 4 etc.

BTW can you get Apple TV on Firesticks/Chromecast?

When you load the bbc iplayer app there is a message on the screen. Ours is probably about ten years old.

We use SkyQ on an ancient non-smart TV, it has all the apps and is pretty easy to use.

Thanks. Just realised I've not watched it for a few days and in bed now, will check tomorrow...

@AnOldCynic I first noticed the message about two months ago, maybe it is model specific?

I use a Chromecast. I had a firestick before but seeing as I am an android user, Chromecast integrates a lot better and it's just using the apps on your phone so it won't end up unsupported, I hope. I have been using the current one for about 3 years I think. Usually some good offers for them on Black Friday.

Here is a list of Panasonic devices losing iPlayer on the 30th, there are lots of them towards the bottom of the list
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/supported-devices/panasonic

We opted out of our TVOS years ago by using an Apple Streamer instead. Not cheap but a 'Rolls Royce' experience compared to others I have tried. iPlayer works fine just like NowTV, Prime ITV etc

We use fire stick so easy we even took it on holiday and used it in the hotel

We use a fire stick, haven’t compared it to any of the others suggested. If you plan to buy one I’d wait until Black Friday, I got ours quite a bit cheaper then.

I've just bought a Roku streaming stick 4K after getting advice on another thread. It was £45. You get 3 months free Apple TV.

I also considered chromecast but Google are discontinuing it and concentrating on a streaming service instead, so that put me off.

I used to use a Firestick, but find that my Roku box (very small) works better.

That's annoying we will probably lose ours too. We lost netflix recently which is infuriating though we've kept the subscription as we use it on our laptops

If you get a Firestick or Roku get the cheaper HD one if your TV is HD not the 4k one as you won't benefit from it.

Oh I hadn't realised this. That is very annoying!

Google Chromecast does not do Channel 4 which can be frustrating. Firestick seems to do all the apps I want but I find it doesn't receive as well (more buffering for some reason but that doesn't seem to be the same for everyone.) Apple TV works really well but is far more expensive than Chromecast or Firestick!