I agree with that sentiment, but even if we can't get a set top box, the least what I'd want to have is a PeerTube app for Android TV. Newpipe is half fine, but its focus on privacy and not allowing you to log in into your own PeerTube instance makes it unusable for me.

I want to be able to log in to my PeerTube account on the TV and see and use it like I can do it on my computer or mobile phone. That means being able to see my subscriptions and also to see my private videos and watch them.

> but I just moved to Newpipe after Youtube Vanced went down

How is it down ? I use it right now and it should work for at least a year if not way more. They can't block it without blocking breaking their own API which would break the regular Youtube app for those who don't update. If you have the APK, I see no reason to change to another app.

They can shove ads into it now that won't be blocked anymore.

I don't see any . Also for a long time I used a vanced version that was years old without issue so don't worry about it

Could you provide a source for that ?

Own experience. I think 2-3 vanced versions ago, Google added ad videos into the search results and I could not get rid of them till vanced updated.

Maybe something like this?

https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTubeNext

That does look interesting and I was unaware of it so thanks for the link. I'm thinking more like a privacy first, linux based Apple TV / Android TV / Fire TV replacement. Sort of like the FreeTube linux app, but designed for the TV, and with other apps for other services.

it sounds like you want kodi

It's been a while since I used it, lord knows I hate the interface but if it does all of that, I'll try it again soon.

Works really well together with the stock YouTube app.

It would be nice if one of the alternative apps would be able to cast to SmartTubeNext as well.

Would Kodi/Libreelec fill the requirements?