Google to Add “Free Channels” to Google Chromecast!

Google Chromecast with RemoteIf you like FAST (free, ad-supported streaming television) channels, which are usually shown on local TV “sub-channels,” but now can’t get them because you were using Locast, and need these channels “streamed” to you… there may be new hope! Check this out!

Google’s latest plans for Chromecast are all about free TV

Protocol – By: Janko Roettgers “Google is looking to make its Chromecast streaming device more appealing to cord cutters. The company has plans to add free TV channels to Google TV, the Android-based smart TV platform that powers Chromecast as well as select smart TVs from companies including Sony and TCL, Protocol has learned.

To achieve this, Google has held talks with companies distributing so-called FAST (free, ad-supported streaming television) channels, according to multiple industry insiders. These channels have the look and feel of traditional linear TV networks, complete with ad breaks and on-screen graphics. Free streaming channels could launch on Google TV as early as this fall, but the company may also wait to announce the initiative in conjunction with its smart TV partners in early 2022.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chromecast owners will likely be able to browse the channels through a dedicated live TV menu, which the company has thus far only used to offer access to paid TV services like its own YouTube TV subscription service. On smart TVs, the streaming channels are expected to be presented alongside over-the-air programming that can be accessed with an antenna.

That approach mirrors the way TV makers like LG and Samsung have integrated free streaming channels into their platforms. For these TV makers, free channels have become an overnight success story. Samsung alone streams ‘billions of minutes’ of linear programming via its TV Plus service every month, Samsung Electronics SVP Sang Kim told Protocol last year.

This success has prompted other TV platform operators to also embrace free linear programming. Roku has added over 200 free channels to its platform, and both VIZIO and Amazon have embraced live channels on their respective devices as well. Most smart TV makers directly integrate these channels into existing program guides, allowing for a seamless transition from live broadcast TV to streamed channels. This effectively turns FAST channels into a free alternative to basic cable.

Increased demand for free streaming channels has been met by a growing interest from media companies looking for ways to monetize their catalog fare. AMC Networks, for instance, has launched multiple FAST channels, including one dedicated to ‘The Walking Dead’ and one featuring IFC comedies like ‘Portlandia.’

Other media companies with their own free streaming channels include the Weather Channel, Scripps, Reuters, Meredith and Bloomberg. It’s unclear which of these channels will ultimately find their way to Google TV, but Google is expected to strike deals that will give the company wholesale access to dozens of free channels.

Interestingly, this is not Google’s first foray into free TV streaming. When the company unveiled Android TV in 2014, it also included a live channels framework that was designed to aggregate live programming from streaming apps and over-the-air broadcasters. However, the framework never gained much traction, and Google didn’t port the Live Channels app to Chromecast when it relaunched its streaming stick a year ago.”

DrBill.TV Special – Video – Two Ways to Conquer Condo Cord Cutting!

Dr. Bill shows us a ‘how to’ on cord cutting for someone living in a condominium that wants to watch OTA (‘Over the Air’) TV! He shows us two methods, one totally INSIDE the condo, and one actually OUTSIDE the condo! (Sep 15, 2021)

Also, what parts he used to do it (below!)

Amazon Links:

Tablo Quad Over-The-Air [OTA] Digital Video Recorder [DVR] for Cord Cutters – with WiFi, Live TV Streaming, & Automatic Commercial Skip, Black
https://www.amazon.com/Tablo-Quad-OTA-Cord-Cutters/dp/B07PLVF8B7

GE Digital 2-Way Coaxial Cable Splitter (for the “internal” antennas used with the Tablo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054EILOE

Febsmart Wireless PCI Card
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZ6DL9

LTE Filter for TV Antenna Improves Digital Antenna Amplifier – 4G Filter for Clear TV Channels, Reduces Interference from Cell Towers
https://www.amazon.com/Improves-Digital-HYOUCHANG-Interference-Channels/dp/B07Z8YKFCK

Ancable Window/Door Feed Through Coaxial Cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DWTBT8X

HAUPPAUGE WinTV-quadHD PCI Express TV Tuner Card 1609
https://www.amazon.com/HAUPPAUGE-WinTV-quadHD-Express-Tuner-1609/dp/B01DZSVLTW

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN

www.DrBill.TV/Linode


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Odysee Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


DrBill.TV Special – Audio – Two Ways to Conquer Condo Cord Cutting!

Dr. Bill shows us a ‘how to’ on cord cutting for someone living in a condominium that wants to watch OTA (‘Over the Air’) TV! He shows us two methods, one totally INSIDE the condo, and one actually OUTSIDE the condo! (Sep 15, 2021)

Also, what parts he used to do it (below!)

Amazon Links:

Tablo Quad Over-The-Air [OTA] Digital Video Recorder [DVR] for Cord Cutters – with WiFi, Live TV Streaming, & Automatic Commercial Skip, Black
https://www.amazon.com/Tablo-Quad-OTA-Cord-Cutters/dp/B07PLVF8B7

GE Digital 2-Way Coaxial Cable Splitter (for the “internal” antennas used with the Tablo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054EILOE

Febsmart Wireless PCI Card
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZ6DL9

LTE Filter for TV Antenna Improves Digital Antenna Amplifier – 4G Filter for Clear TV Channels, Reduces Interference from Cell Towers
https://www.amazon.com/Improves-Digital-HYOUCHANG-Interference-Channels/dp/B07Z8YKFCK

Ancable Window/Door Feed Through Coaxial Cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DWTBT8X

HAUPPAUGE WinTV-quadHD PCI Express TV Tuner Card 1609
https://www.amazon.com/HAUPPAUGE-WinTV-quadHD-Express-Tuner-1609/dp/B01DZSVLTW

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN

www.DrBill.TV/Linode


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Odysee Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


LocalBTV May Come to the Piedmont Triad by Next Year

LocalBTV is a fully legal version of a “Locast-like” service. It doesn’t have the major network stations just yet, but that is planned. Also, I wrote them asking if they ever planned to serve the High Point/Greensboro/Winston-Salem market, just as I did with Locast. They said that they plan to be in our area as soon as mid-2022! Hopefully, this will be an answer for those of us antenna-challenged (condo-dwellers!)

Puffer TV: Geek Website of the Week!

Puffer TVHere’s a way to watch California (Stanford University area) local TV and major TV networks via your web browser. Puffer TV is research project you can help with for free. They say: “Stream live TV in your browser. There’s no charge. You can watch U.S. TV stations affiliated with the NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, Fox, and CW networks.

Puffer works well in the Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera browsers, on a computer or an Android phone or tablet. Puffer does not work on iPhones or iPads or in the Safari browser.

Puffer is a research project in the computer-science department at Stanford University. Please see the FAQ and our research paper (Community Award winner at USENIX NSDI 2020) for more information.”

DrBill.TV #499 – Video – The Can Locast Be Saved Edition!

Dr. Bill shares with us the issues involved in the Locast shutting down court case, and whether there are any chances for a similar broadcast-to-Internet service to emerge. (Sep 03, 2021)

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN

www.DrBill.TV/Linode


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Odysee Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


DrBill.TV #499 – Audio – The Can Locast Be Saved Edition!

Dr. Bill shares with us the issues involved in the Locast shutting down court case, and whether there are any chances for a similar broadcast-to-Internet service to emerge. (Sep 03, 2021)

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN

www.DrBill.TV/Linode


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Odysee Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


Locast is dead… as of today.

It looks like “the man” won. Here’s a quote from a Locast e-mail:

“As a non-profit, Locast was designed from the very beginning to operate in accordance with the strict letter of the law, but in response to the court’s recent rulings, with which we respectfully disagree, we are hereby suspending operations, effective immediately.

Thank you.”

Sigh.