Vizio points to outdated Chromecast software as potential cause of Disney+ streaming problems on its range of SmartCast TV sets

• Vizio has announced it is working on a Chromecast software update, which could help users connect to Disney+ through their SmartCast TVs 
• The SmartCast TVs come with builtin Chromecast hardware
• In the meanwhile, SmartCast owners can use AirPlay to access Disney+ 

After widespread connectivity issues with the Disney+ streaming service during its launch yesterday, the TV manufacturer Vizio has announced it’s working on an update for its SmartCast TVs that could help some users access the service.

The issue appears to be connected to an outdated version of software used to operate the builtin Chromecast hardware that comes with Vizio's SmartCast TVs.  

After a number of SmartCast TV owners complained about not being able to use Disney+ through the builtin Chromecast, Vizio began to investigate the issue.  

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When Disney+ launched yesterday, Vizio's SmartCast TV owners were unable to access the service using the television's builtin Chromecast feature

In a statement to Business Insider, Vizio said the company is ‘working diligently to implement the new version of Chromecast and will start rolling out the update to our SmartCast TVs as soon as possible.’

‘In the meantime, customers with Vizio SmartCast TVs can use AirPlay to stream Disney+ directly from their Apple device to the TV.’

‘The iOS device only needs iOS 12.3 or later, or a Mac running 10.14.5 or later, and your device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.’

Some Twitter users speculated that Disney+ requires Chromecast version 1.36 to run, but the builtin Chromecasts on Vizio's SmartCast TV are currently operating version 1.34. 

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Vizio released a statement saying an software update for its internal Chromecast tech is being worked on and will be released 'as soon as possible'

While the company didn’t provide a date for when the specific Chromecast update would be ready, Vizio’s customer support says the Disney+ will be available on the SmartCast app store in 2020.

Disney+ is a new streaming service from that will give subscribers access to more than 500 movies and 7,500 television shows from Disney’s archives for a monthly fee of $7.

The app is currently supports Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, MacOS, ChromeOS, Windows PC, and other platforms.

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Disney+ will make more than 500 movies and 7,500 television shows available for streaming for a $7 monthly fee

By 9AM on launch day, the service had registered at least 7,300 user problems, according to Down Detector, an outage mapping website.

70 percent of those issues were reported as streaming problem, 27 percent were reportedly login problems, and 3 percent were related to other issues.

STREAMING SERVICE BREAKDOWN

Here's a look at the new streaming challengers and what you get with each: 

NEW PLAYERS 

Disney+

Disney's entertainment service, featuring shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.

Launch date: November 12

Price: $7 a month or $70 a year. Getting Disney Plus with ESPN Plus and Hulu, both owned by Disney, will cost $13 a month.

Promotions: Seven-day free trial. Free year with all Verizon Wireless unlimited plans and when customers switch to Verizon's Fios Home Internet or 5G Home Internet.

Original shows: 'The Mandalorian,' a live-action 'Star Wars' series created by Jon Favreau. A prequel to the 'Star Wars' movie 'Rogue One.' A series about the Marvel character Loki. A rebooted 'High School Musical' series. A documentary series focused on Disney.

Other shows and movies: Animated classics, including 'Aladdin' and 'The Jungle Book,' will be available at launch; others will be added as streaming deals with other services expire. Movies released in 2019 or later will go to Disney Plus rather than a rival streaming service first. Disney Plus will also house past seasons of 'The Simpsons,' which Disney got through its purchase of Fox's entertainment business.

 

Apple TV+ 

Apple's entry into the streaming business.

Launch date: November 1

Price: $5 a month

Promotions: Seven-day free trial. A year free to buyers of a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod Touch or Mac.

Original shows: A Jason Momoa series called 'See' and 'The Morning Show,' a comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell. The service will launch with nine original shows and movies, with more expected each month.

Other shows and movies: None.

 

Peacock 

The service from Comcast's NBCUniversal will carry 15,000 hours of video at launch.

Launch date: April 2020

Price: Undisclosed

Promotions: Free for many Comcast cable and internet customers.

Original shows: Reboots of 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Saved by the Bell.' Comedy series 'Rutherford Falls,' from Michael Schur, creator of 'The Good Place' and 'Parks and Recreation.'

Other shows and movies: '30 Rock, 'Will & Grace,' and 'Cheers,' though these won't stream exclusively on Peacock. Peacock will get 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Office' once existing deals with Netflix expire. 'Bridesmaids,' ''E.T.' and other movies from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation.

 

HBO MAX

A souped-up version of HBO from AT&T's WarnerMedia, with some 10,000 hours of video at launch.

Launch date: May 2020

Price: $15 a month

Promotions: Free for about 10 million existing HBO subscribers - those who get HBO through AT&T distribution platforms such as U-Verse and DirecTV, and those who get the HBO Now streaming service directly from HBO, rather than a cable or online partner such as Amazon. Free for customers of AT&T's higher-tier wireless and broadband offerings.

Original shows: A 'Game of Thrones' prequel called 'House of the Dragon.' ''Raised by Wolves,' a sci-fi series directed by Ridley Scott. 'Strange Adventures,' a DC Super Hero anthology series.

Other shows and movies: HBO shows and movies, including theatrical releases that HBO licenses. Programs from the Warner Bros. studio, including 'Friends,' ''The Big Bang Theory,' ''The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and 'Pretty Little Liars.' The animated comedy 'South Park.' New CW shows 'Batwoman' and 'Riverdale' spinoff 'Katy Keene' will also be available to stream after the season ends.

Source: The Associated Press 

 

STREAMING VETERANS 

Netflix

Launch date: February 2007

Price: Netflix's most basic plan is $8.99 per month, its Standard plan with HD quality - the company's most popular offering - is $12.99 per month and the Premium plan is $15.99 per month.  

Original Shows: Netflix features more than 1,000 original offerings, including Stranger Things, The Crown, Orange Is The New Black, Bojack Horseman and GLOW.

 

Hulu

Launch date: March 2008

Price: Hulu offers four levels of service: Basic ($5.99 per month), Premium ($11.99 per month), Basic + Live TV ($44.99 per month), and Premium + Live TV ($50.99 per month). Basic has ads, while Premium is ad-free.

Original shows: Hulu offers significantly fewer originals than its competitor Netflix, with 26. Popular series include The Handmaid's Tale, Castle Rock, PEN15 and The Act. 

 

Amazon Video

Launch date: September 2006

Price: Amazon Video is available to all Amazon Prime members. The Prime membership is $12.99 per month or $119 per year.  

Original shows: Amazon has 39 original shows, including The Man in the High Castle, Bosch, Mozart in the Jungle, Patriot, Sneaky Pete and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel