Cablevision Launches "iO Search" Interactive TV Application

New York-area MSO, Cablevision, said Monday that it has successfully launched a new interactive TV application, called iO Search, across its entire service area (note: Cablevision's iO digital cable service enjoys a 94% penetration rate among the MSO's subscriber base). As its name implies, the new app is designed to make it easy for customers to search for programming, both on linear TV channels and VOD.

iO Search, which is offered at no additional charge, is accessed both through iO Shortcuts, by pressing the "C" button on the remote control, and through the main iO TV user interface menu. It allows customers to use a virtual keypad to enter in search terms and find programming based on a show's title, genre, performers, network or other attributes. Cablevision claims that the service is fast, and says that results are displayed beginning with the first character entered, and then refined as the customer inputs additional information. The app also allows customers to save searches for future use, and, Cablevision says, allows customers to quickly navigate from its search page to the programming they are looking for, launch an on-demand title, or set their DVR to record a show. "This is a significant free enhancement to our digital cable service that we believe will be enormously popular with our customers, especially in today's environment, with hundreds of channels and thousands of VOD titles available at all times," Gary Schanman, Cablevision's SVP of video product management, said in a prepared statement. "We want to improve the television viewing experience by helping our customers navigate through the enormous amount of choice and diversity of programming they enjoy today, and iO Search is a powerful tool that will make it easier for our customers to find what they're looking for and discover new content in the process."