No rights issues with SVT, NRK and DR apps. Just like their websites they Geo-block based on rights agreements. Broadly - in-house shows that don't have international sales or other rights issues will stream fine in the UK. Acquisitions and co-pros will give you an error message (sometimes cryptic, sometimes very clear) if you try to play out-of-region.
So on the SVT App you can play Rapport and Aktuellt from a UK IP, but can't watch Bron or Allt for Sverige. (It's the equivalent of the crossed-out-world symbol you see on SVT Play). The same is true for the live channel streaming in NRK and DR's apps (SVT's app doesn't offer live streaming - though their website does)
Out-Of-Region streaming is a hot topic in Scandinavia because lots of people go abroad for extended periods during the winter - and want to watch SVT/NRK/DR when doing so. That's one reason why they don't geoblock.
Been playing, seems a little buggy as a device, suspect some issues getting all the devices setup with server demand being the issue.
It certainly has potential.
Yes - but as you say, major issues too. Unlike previous models you can't pair a Bluetooth keyboard and the iOS/Watch OS remote apps don't work. There is also reduced functionality - no Podcasts or Radio streaming apps for non-Apple radio stations (unlike previous Apple TVs). Presumably they are expecting third parties to fill that gap?
Also navigating music libraries with the Siri remote is a real pain - and actually nicer using an older IR Apple TV remote (which are still compatible - though you can no longer pair)
Does it still support Home Sharing, i.e. playing music from your computer's iTunes library over the network? I only ask as it was briefly removed in iOS 8.4 but returned in 9.0.
The ultimate 'SlowTV' series Hurtigruten Minute by Minute, the complete six day Bergen - Kirkenes voyage of the Nordnorge originally shown in June 2011 is available via the NRK App.
For TV news presentation enthusiasts most of the news bulletins in the NRK, SVT and DR apps are watchable in the UK, as are ZDF's.
SVT Nyheter : Rapport and Aktuellt (Uutiset is the Finnish language News)
NRK Nyheter : Dagsrevyen, Kveldsnytt, Aktuelt
DR Nyheder : TV Avisen and DR2 Dagen and Morgen
ZDF Nachrichten: Heute
1. The app store is only refreshed completely when the app is closed and re-opened, there's no equivalent of an auto refresh when moving between screens within the app itself.
2. After a network issue which invokes a change of IP address, the whole thing needs to restart to reconnect, there's no routine to search the network for another address 'on the fly'.
Interesting that there is a Kodi-fork already running on ATV 4 apparently (without Python to stay App Store compliant in expectation of an App store release).
However the ATV4 changes will, no doubt, be backported to the iOS version of Kodi, allowing a full Kodi (which will never be released in the App Store) to be complied and sideloaded via a USB-C cable and Xcode. (And with Xcode 7 there is no need for a developer licence to load your own code)
There are also people running side loaded game emulators (again which wouldn't be App Store compliant)
Yep - appears to work fine. No Siri content search yet it seems ("Show me Strictly Come Dancing" only returns iTunes hits)
You'll want to switch to 1080p 50Hz output for the best quality - particularly for watching 50p stuff (like Strictly) - but will need to remember to return to 1080p 60Hz for Netflix etc. (The Auto mode doesn't auto switch, it auto choses a single resolution it appears)
Watching the 720/50p live stream of the BBC News Channel is pretty close to watching live Freesat or Freeview HD. Some really encoder-demanding content - like Strictly, does suffer in comparison to the broadcast platforms (or the Sky+HD iPlayer VoD system) - but it's still a lot better than most other European broadcasters who are still stuck at 25p.
Been a good week for iPlayer - 50Hz support on Chromecast and now the Apple TV 4 app at last.
Just tested, unlike the Connected TV app, with AppleTV Siri can be used to rewind the channel 'live streams' within the usual web two hour window. Am now starting the Stargazing special now,