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All 4 for iOS and Android to get Chromecast support in time for Christmas

Channel 4’s All 4 catch-up apps will soon support Chromecast, Google’s super-popular TV streaming stick. 

This means watching catch-up content from Channel 4 on your TV is set to get a whole lot easier; Chromecast lets you discover videos on your phone or tablet and with a tap of the blue icon lets you ‘cast’ video to your TV over WiFi. 

Android phone and tablet owners will be the first to enjoy Chromecast support on All 4 when an update rolls out next Tuesday, November 24 which, it just so happens, is also when new catch-up service ITV Hub is launching

Read our review of the new Chromecast (2015 edition) and Best Chromecast apps featureiOS users are in for a longer wait; their update won’t be hitting iTunes until some point in mid-December.

There’s no set date just yet, but Channel 4 insists that iFans won’t be left out in the cold. The update will have started rolling out in time for Christmas Day, which is good news for anyone lucky enough to find an iPhone 6s and a new Chromecast under the boughs. 

Carl Pfeiffer, Channel 4’s head of distribution said: “We know that Chromecast functionality has been a popular request of All 4 users, so we’re delighted to launch this side of Christmas.”

Since the launch of Chromecast in the UK back in 2013, the BBC was quick to bake support for Google’s Cast API into its iPlayer apps for iOS and Android. Unfortunately there was no such immediate love from Channel 4 – even using the Chromecast mirroring feature didn’t work

Luckily fans of Come Dine with Me, Peep Show and Hollyoaks will soon be able to access catch-up content to their TV screens without having to navigate ponderous, labrythine smart TV menus. 

To celebrate the forthcoming updates Channel 4’s roped in ‘the two Spencers’ – that’s Phil Spencer from Location, Location, Location and Spencer Matthews from Made in Chelsea – to star in an ad which will air tonight during breaks for TFI Friday. The couple will argue over what to watch on their TV, demonstrating the speed of Chromecast and the choice of Channel 4 content on offer. 

All 4 features live streams and catch-up content from all five Channel 4 channels – Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4 and 4seven – as well as classics like Brass Eye and Black Books

As well as being available for iOS and Android, there’s All 4 apps for Windows Phone, Now TV and Roku devices. All 4 apps and content is also built into the on-demand menus and programme guides of Virgin Media TiVo, YouView and Freeview Play boxes. 

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