Fourth generation Apple TV owners can finally use the single sign-on feature Apple showed off months ago. The feature went live on Tuesday, although some content providers are still missing, and it’s available only in the United States.
Single sign-on lets Apple TV owners enter their cable or satellite TV provider login once for all apps instead of having to authenticate for every channel app they install. Currently, the list of supported providers includes:
- CenturyLink Prism
- DirecTV
- Dish
- GVTC
- GTA
- Hawaiian Telcom
- Hotwire
- MetroCast
- Sling
Comcast is missing from the list which is no doubt a big disappointment for their customers. For now, they have to sign in on a per-app basis, like animals.
Apps must support single sign-on, too, and as of now that list is relatively short:
- A&E (iOS only)
- Bravo Now (tvOS only)
- E! Now (tvOS only)
- Hallmark Channel Everywhere (iOS and tvOS)
- History (iOS only)
- Lifetime (iOS only)
- NBC (tvOS only)
- Syfy Now (tvOS only)
- Telemundo Now (tvOS only)
- USA NOW (tvOS only)
- Watch HGTV (iOS and tvOS)
- Watch Food Network (iOS and tvOS)
- Watch Cooking Channel (iOS and tvOS)
- Watch DIY (iOS and tvOS)
- Watch Travel Channel (iOS and tvOS)
To set up single sign-on go to Settings > Accounts > TV Provider on your fourth generation Apple TV. Select your TV service provider, and enter your account user name and password.
iPhone and iPad users running iOS 10 can go to Settings > TV Provider to set up single sign-on.
I need to try this http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/new-chrome-extension-automatically-negotiates-comcast-for-rate-discounts
In my area I actually get the choice of either Comcast/Xfinity or Bright House (now renamed Spectrum). I originally had Comcast which was overall a painful experience. Bright House has been somewhat better. It has been more stable and a little bit cheaper.
The main problem for me going completely cord-cutter is the cable Internet pricing. Both Comcast and Bright House jack up the price if a person gets rid of their cable TV package and keeps only Internet.
For example, Bright House’s basic cable TV and Internet package is $80 a month, but if I want cable Internet only (with the same speeds I have now) then it is $65 a month. So either way Comcast or Bright House gets their monopoly fee if I want anything from them at all.
An Apple TV with Netflix and Sling would work for me just fine as far as TV and movies goes, but I need really good stable Internet. I was really hoping something like Google Fiber would come to my home city, but that is increasingly unlikely.
Comcast/Xfinity must go, I think this cord will be cut with this move.