What is Google TV? The Smart TV Interface Explained

What is Google TV and how does it work? Is Google TV free to use, or do you need to pay a subscription fee?

We explain all you need to know about Google TV including where you can access the platform, the included channels and how it works. 

Once you’re finished here, make sure you visit our round-up of the best TVs and best streaming devices too.

What is Google TV?

Google TV is a smart TV interface that holds over 10,000 apps and offers access to over 400,000 episodes and movies in one place. These apps include the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, BT Sport and even Spotify.

You can set up multiple profiles on Google TV and see your own personalised recommendations based on what you’ve watched in the past. Apps can be downloaded to specific profiles, and there’s supervision for children with Kid’s profiles where apps can be blocked or unblocked, viewing time limited and activity controlled via The Family Link app.

In addition, each profile also has access to its own watchlist, which allows you to save shows and films for later. 

Or, if you know exactly what you want to watch but can’t find it, you can simply ask Google Assistant to fetch it for you – though you will need a compatible TV with a voice remote.

Despite its name, Google TV isn’t just for watching content. In fact, it can double as a smart home hub for controlling compatible products like smart light bulbs and the thermostat. You can also receive doorbell notifications from your TV and see a live view from your security cameras too.

Essentially, Google TV isn’t its own streaming platform that offers original content. Instead, it’s an interface that brings content from lots of different apps and platforms together into one place.

Is Google TV free?

Yes, the Google TV interface is completely free to access. Just remember that you will need to pay for any subscription costs from third-party platforms.

How does Google TV work?

At the top of the screen is a row of tabs such as ‘Search’, ‘For You’ and ‘Library’ to make it easier and faster for users to jump back into what they were watching or start something new.

Below that is a curated row of personal ‘top picks’ recommendations based on what you’ve watched and what you’re interested in. It also puts those recommendations in the ‘For You’ tab, which is aggregated from your subscriptions and content in other apps.

Beneath that row are apps you’ve downloaded. Any app available on Android TV is available on Google TV, which means YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, ITV Hub, My 5, Prime Video and more work with the interface.

You can also ask “What should I watch” and be presented with a list of popular films and TV episodes with options of how you can watch the content (stream, rent or buy). You can also click onto a title’s landing page and be met with a bevy of similar content, sending you down the rabbit hole for films and TV shows to watch.

Google TV vs Android TV: What’s the difference now? 

There’s been some confusion in the past surrounding how Google TV differs from Android TV. While many have assumed that Google TV has taken over from Android TV, this actually isn’t the case. Instead, Google TV is powered by Android TV operating system (OS). That means there are other smart TVs and streaming sticks that are also powered by Android TV OS but don’t share the Google TV interface – called Android TV devices. 

It’s a bit like the best Android phones, where they all run on Android OS but different manufacturers like Samsung or Google use different skins or interfaces.

What devices support Google TV?

There are a couple of ways to get Google TV. Firstly, if you already have a compatible TV set then you can plug in a Google TV Streamer to access the platform. This is a great way to make use of your existing TV without buying a new one – though make sure that your TV has an HDMI port, is near a plug socket and can access the internet. 

If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to upgrade then you can simply buy a new TV with Google TV built-in. At the time of writing, you can enjoy Google TV built into models from the following brands:

Whether you’re using a Streamer or a dedicated Google TV device, you’ll need to ensure you have an internet connection and a Google account.

The Google TV app

There’s also a dedicated Google TV app that’s available for both iOS and Android devices. Once you’ve signed into your Google account, you’ll be able to find movies and TV series to stream from across different platforms. When choosing something to watch, you’ll be redirected to either the corresponding app or to the App Store where you’ll be prompted to download the platform.

You can also use the app as a remote control, and can move from watching on your phone to a nearby TV on the same Wi-Fi network.