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On Google TV Streamer, you can mark live channels as favorites and filter the guide to show only those channels. The favorite control applies to channels—not individual shows—and Google’s instructions describe a Favorite channels view, not a way to set an arbitrary custom channel order.
Favorite a channel in the Google TV guide
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Open Live. In the United States, Google also lists the Google TV Freeplay app as an entry point to live TV; availability and labels can vary by country and interface version. See Google’s U.S. live-TV instructions.
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Find the channel you want under a guide category, then select the channel name. Google’s documented indicator is a filled star, showing that the channel is now a favorite. The steps are described in Google TV Help.
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To narrow the guide to your saved channels, change its view from All channels to Favorite channels. Google describes this as the way to browse favorite-channel content.
#1 Best Overall
Google TV Streamer 4K - Fast Streaming Entertainment on Your Device with Voice Search Remote - Watch Movies, Shows, Live, and Netflix in HDR - Smart Home Control - 32 GB of Storage - Hazel- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
To remove a channel from the favorites view, select its name again; the star becomes unfilled. If the labels or controls differ on your device, the available interface may vary with region or software version.
Favorites are for channels; Watchlist is for shows and movies
Favoriting a channel gives you a quicker way to find it in the live guide. It does not save a specific episode, series, or movie. For a title you want to return to later, search for it, open its details page, and select Watchlist. Google says saved titles can be removed through Library. See Google TV Help.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
- Use Favorite channels when you want to filter the live guide to channels you watch.
- Use Watchlist when you want to save a particular show or movie, regardless of its channel.
Can you put favorite channels in a custom order?
Google’s documented feature lets you mark channels and switch to a Favorite channels view. Its help pages do not establish that you can freely reorder those favorites into a custom sequence. Treat favorites as a way to filter the guide, not as a guaranteed custom channel lineup.
What to know about free channels and availability
The Google TV Streamer 4K product page advertises more than 800 free channels alongside subscription services. That is a product-page claim, not a guarantee that every channel is available in every country or remains in the lineup. Google’s announcement of its free-channel offering described a U.S. rollout and noted that some channels may require downloading a separate app. Check Google’s free-channel announcement for that availability context.
Rank #3
- Expand your home entertainment without buying a new TV; Google Chromecast lets you stream your favorites from your phone, tablet, or laptop; no remote needed
- Chromecast is easy to set up up; just plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and start streaming to turn your TV into a smart TV; it works with almost any TV that has an HDMI port
- Works with the apps you already know and love; enjoy shows, movies, music, games, sports, photos, live TV, and more from over 2,000 streaming apps in up to 1080p
- With Chromecast, you can stream, pause, play, or adjust the volume right from your phone with just a tap; while you’re streaming, you can still use your phone as you normally do
- Mirror your laptop screen or turn your tablet into an even better entertainment system; surf the web or see your media on the big screen
Google also described a 150-channel Freeplay guide in a 2024 update. That figure refers to the guide at the time of that announcement, not a current channel count. See Google’s 2024 update. For background on free on-demand movies and shows through Freeplay, see Google’s Freeplay announcement.
Google’s current product information for the device is available on the Google TV Streamer 4K product page. Channel counts and access can change, and Live or Freeplay availability depends on location and service support.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
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