Why can’t I watch HBONow on my LG smart TV?

[Dissatisfied]

I’ve tried everything. This blows. 

[000]

If anyone is attempting to navigate to HBONow via the internet browser that comes with LG TVs, access to the HBONow site might show the pages, but streaming video is not supported by the browser.   Streaming video requires the Adobe Flash Player plug-in which is not available for the LG browser because LG doesn't have legal permission to include Flash in the browser.   This might be the case for ALL smart TVs, no matter what the brand/model is.   The only way around this is for HBONow to include an app for your smart TV menu which would bypass any need for the LG browser because the app always includes its own video player.   Also, other browsers such as Chrome which can use the Flash plug-in cannot be downloaded to the smart TV.    

 

Edited March 31, 2019 by swami
attaching pic

[Dissatisfied]

1 hour ago, Cody k said:

You clearly haven't tried everything, because I can watch it on mine. 

There is no HBONow app in the App Store and when I try to watch it in the browser it tells me I need adobe flash player which isn’t supported by the TV. Forgive me for not expressing myself well. I’m a technological dunce.

My understanding from doing a little internet research is that this is an ongoing issue and no one can get HBONow on their LG TV. Except you, apparently. I’d love to know your workaround but if it’s overly technical, I’m afraid your instructions will likely be wasted on me. 

[Cody k]

Subscribe through Amazon Prime Video. Same price as any other method, $15/month. If you subscribe through your cable provider, use the HBO Go app. If you prefer, you can subscribe through HBO Now. Both apps support casting to the TV. 

[000]

Then that just about wraps this up! 

[Dissatisfied]

1 hour ago, Cody k said:

Bullsh*t you can't. I just checked it on my wife's iPhone. Your issues are strictly PBKAC.

>I worked for DirecTV for a couple of years specifically on testing streaming video.   

I find this VERY hard to believe, since you have only the vaguest understanding of how streaming video works. Maaaaybe you were a consumer in a consumer trial, but I find it impossible to believe that anyone would pay you for any technical consultation.

Lol. You are quite the condescending little shit. Are you trying to help? Or just getting off on your little superiority complex? Either way, I don’t want any more of your “help.” Thanks anyway. 

[George Hofmeister]

14 hours ago, Dissatisfied said:

I’ve tried everything. This blows. 

You have tried everything!  What is wrong with the app, tell the forum what is wrong and we may be able to help.  Please remember to include your TV model number, firmware version and app version is at all possible.

[000]

Is the HBONow app accessed from your list of displayed icons?

[Rubindude]

I have the exact same problem. There is no HBO Now app for the TV. Very frustrating.  I purchased an OLED65C8P TV. It has Showtime, Netflix, Amazon, and a bunch of other apps available to be downloaded, but no HBONow app.  Called the help line and didn't get a very clear answer and was told that it might come out in the next version of the OS, but two updates have occurred since that telecon.  I wish we could get an official response from LG as to when it will be available, or why they can't seem to provide it given all the other apps seem to be available.  My model TV is supposed to be considered a higher end model, so why can't that application be provided?

[000]

8 minutes ago, Cody k said:

>Streaming video requires the Adobe Flash Player plug-in which is not available for the LG browser because LG doesn't have legal permission to include Flash in the browser. 

This is not true. Flash is not included in browsers because it is an insecure, outdated technology that no modern browser encourages the use of and which most browsers block by default. It was replaced years ago by HTML5, and has even been retired by its developer. 

Fair enough.   TCM uses HTML5 player and it is not possible to do TV streaming video through the LG browser, most likely because broadcast television TCM streaming video is a different format than let's say an MP4 video.   MP4 videos utilizing HTML5 player actually play from a website via the LG browser.    HBONow, TCM, etc. streaming video needs to be viewed by way of an application which circumvents the browser issues.  

[Rubindude]

Cody - It was explained to me that different TVs have different OSs.  I'm well aware that other people can watch HBONow on some other LG TVs, and that is one reason I bought mine (just late last year). However, as it turns out, it just doesn't seem available for my LG OLED65C8P TV.  If you have a suggestion that you know works first hand, I welcome your guidance.

[000]

First, HBONow would have to create a smart TV app for the LG TV and allow it to be added to the smart menu in the same way that all the other apps appeared in your menu.  

[Cody k]

3 minutes ago, swami said:

First, HBONow would have to create a smart TV app for the LG TV and allow it to be added to the smart menu in the same way that all the other apps appeared in your menu.  

I'm not sure if it's on HBO or LG to actually develop the app, but either way one needs to provide the other with an API for them to work from. That, of course, comes after they reach a licensing agreement and the two companies haven't even gotten to that point yet.

The one down-side to LGs is the crappy app selection, but there are workarounds for nearly every one. 

[000]

Hmmmm.   I am talking about this from the perspective of using smart TV connected via WiFi to watch content.   If you go through the Amazon route, that environment is not using the browser as everything within it is running from Amazon which is an app on the TV named Prime Video.    Casting to the smart TV is possible, but that isn't what I interpreted the issue to be.  

[Dissatisfied]

7 minutes ago, Cody k said:

Subscribe through Amazon Prime Video. Same price as any other method, $15/month. If you subscribe through your cable provider, use the HBO Go app. If you prefer, you can subscribe through HBO Now. Both apps support casting to the TV. 

Doesn’t this necessitate me subscribing to, and paying for, Amazon Prime? I don’t want to pay for any more subscriptions than I already am: Hulu, Netflix and HBONow. 

[Cody k]

Just now, swami said:

Hmmmm.   I am talking about this from the perspective of using smart TV connected via WiFi to watch content.   If you go through the Amazon route, that environment is not using the browser as everything within it is running from Amazon which is an app on the TV named Prime Video.    Casting to the smart TV is possible, but that isn't what I interpreted the issue to be.  

I don't know what you mean. It sounds like you're insisting on accessing it through a browser, but why the hell would you want that? HBO's website is garbage as an interface. Using any of my three suggested methods works perfectly and will get you crystal-clear video and audio.

[Cody k]

1 minute ago, Dissatisfied said:

Doesn’t this necessitate me subscribing to, and paying for, Amazon Prime? I don’t want to pay for any more subscriptions than I already am: Hulu, Netflix and HBONow. 

If you are already a subscriber to HBO Now, get the app and cast to the TV from it. Easy Peasy. 

[000]

I worked for DirecTV for a couple of years specifically on testing streaming video.   We tested streaming video on a wide range of platforms from mobile phones to tablets to Roku to Amazon Fire to Chromecast to Samsung Tizen TV to website testing on Mac iOS and Windows.  The only streaming video that worked is on the Mac and PC Windows machines in the Chrome/FIrefox browsers ...and otherwise from apps created for mobile and OTT devices (OTT = over-the-top).    No streaming was available for smart TVs other than the Samsung Tizen HD TV  which also launched from an app.    

[Cody k]

2 hours ago, swami said:

Fair enough.   TCM uses HTML5 player and it is not possible to do TV streaming video through the LG browser, most likely because broadcast television TCM streaming video is a different format than let's say an MP4 video.   MP4 videos utilizing HTML5 player actually play from a website via the LG browser.    HBONow, TCM, etc. streaming video needs to be viewed by way of an application which circumvents the browser issues.  

TV and console browsers are always mediocre for streaming media. On the stargatecommand.co website, some of the videos play on the LG, others don't. The absolute best option is casting from a mobile device, which the LG does brilliantly if an app supports casting. 

[Dissatisfied]

1 hour ago, Cody k said:

If you are already a subscriber to HBO Now, get the app and cast to the TV from it. Easy Peasy. 

I can’t cast from my iPhone or iPad. 

[Cody k]

39 minutes ago, Dissatisfied said:

I can’t cast from my iPhone or iPad. 

Bullsh*t you can't. I just checked it on my wife's iPhone. Your issues are strictly PBKAC.

>I worked for DirecTV for a couple of years specifically on testing streaming video.   

I find this VERY hard to believe, since you have only the vaguest understanding of how streaming video works. Maaaaybe you were a consumer in a consumer trial, but I find it impossible to believe that anyone would pay you for any technical consultation.