Help! Can’t watch Live TV on ITV Hub or BBC Iplayer

[Chloejadem]

Hi there, 

I am looking for some help - I have purchased  the Sony Bravia KDL40WE663 40” Smart TV, which has ITV hub and BBC Player, however there is no option to watch ‘Live TV’ on any of these apps? It will only allow me to watch catch up programmes. We don’t have Ariel or cable so want to watch Live TV through these apps only.

The TV says the apps are up to date but I want to know if it is possible? A friend has a Samsung TV and is able to watch Live TV via the app. 

Any help would be appreciated. 

Thanks!

[Opencirrus]

Me too, possible with a SMART phone but NOT with a not so SMART Sony! Common Sony solve this silly issue! 

[Lyndsey_Cooper]

I’m having the same issues. Our Samsung tv upstairs works fine, our Sony tv downstairs is an absolute nightmare. Looking to sell it and buy a Samsung…will never touch a Sony tv again !

[MarkCalnan]

Nope. Still not working as at 18th June 2021. Was hoping Sony & ITV tech could have got together to resolve this before the Euro 2020 tournament started. But obviously this is rocket science to them. Appalling.

Update 22/06/21 - From ITVHub Support: 

date: 22 Jun 2021, 11:14
subject: Re: Contact Form Submission - Viewer Services/Lorraine/GMB/TM/LW
mailed-by: kbounces.itv.com
Signed by: itv.com

Dear Mark,

Thank you for your recent email.

I can confirm that at this time there is no time frame as to when this feature may be available. The ITV Hub is available on around 35-40 different platforms - browsers, mobile devices, connected TVs - which all have different technical requirements to enable new features.

It's possible live tv will be developed for the ITV Hub app on Sony Android TVs in the future, but we don't have any information available at this time.

Your comments have been noted and will be passed on to the relevant teams for review.I am sorry for any disappointment that this may have caused. 

So it is clear that this is not simply a Sony issue. ITVHub know that their player doesn't work on Sony Android TVs, but have no date to resolve the issue. In addition, we should note that BBC iPlayer clearly works (even in Ultra) on exactly the same Sony TV. So Sony owners should also lobby ITVHub to sort this out.

[Swaroop]

Looks like this issue was posted over a year ago, but I don’t see a solution being offered. I have a Sony Bravia KD-43XH8196 and unable to watch live TV on ITV Hub. I recently purchased a Samsung QE75Q65T and have no problems watch live TV on ITV Hub on it. So the problem is most certainly with Sony and it is a shame they haven’t fixed the issue yet!!! Any update from Sony on this issue please?

[Pentium_Gladio]

Hi Swaroop,

What happens when you try to watch live TV on iTV hub? Also, what is the software version of the TV (help button on the remote- system information)?

Regards,

Gladio

[rkmrkmrkm]

Hi - I am having the same issue on our A8 65” so very frustrating for such an expensive tele (and no mention made of it when I explicitly said to Sony rep that we only live watch tv through the apps) 

Sony please can you resolve or offer a work around so that live tv on itv hub can be watched. 

[royabrown2]

@Chloejadem @rkmrkmrkm @MarkCalnan @Swaroop   @Pentium_Gladio 

Have a look at this thread on the same topic, which contains my suggested solution.

https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/android-tv/xh9505-itv-live-tv/m-p/3809382#

Please try to ignore the poster running interference there 😢

[rkmrkmrkm]

@royabrown2 

Thank you, very kind of you to cross link. Am I correct in understanding that a solution you suggest, so as to watch live tv without an aerial, is to purchase a Roku stick? 

many thanks again. 

[royabrown2]

@rkmrkmrkm 

To be exact, I am suggesting the purchase of a Roku stick as an inexpensive and quick way to get catch-up Players that offer live TV, and can be straightforwardly played on your Sony TV 

The goal of ‘watching live TV without an aerial’ won’t be met, for me, until I can see the Freeview EPG, with every channel present, and play any live programme I choose over the internet.

I did try TVPlay, which the OP in that thread found rather low quality, and it came rather closer to that ideal of mine that having to jump from Player to Player when you want to change channels across BBC/itv/All4/My5/UKTV Play. And with the decent internet speeds I have, it didn’t look too bad. So that is worth a look.

[Joe_Dohn]

I agree with @royabrown2

I just wanted to add that the sales reps in stores are not actually from Sony. They have product knowledge since it's their job, but from what I've seen over the years, they don't seem to have nearly the same info as the reps over the support channels, so it's always best to check with them, especially when making a purchasing decision.

That said, it's not an "issue" that Live TV isn't available on these apps since they are specifically made for catchup and nothing else, to get Live TV, you'll need an aerial, the apps are part of the YouView feature and the newest name change/rebrand on the new models to "Live TV & Catchup" sadly doesn't change or negate the need for an aerial.

Hope this helps!

- JD