Cablevision Systems digital-cable subscribers can now enter text-based searches to find programming across linear channels and video-on-demand titles.
The iO Search feature lets customers use an on-screen keypad to enter in search terms, similar to text entry on a mobile phone. The service displays results based on the first character entered and refines the results as a viewer enters additional letters. In addition, searches may be saved for future use.
From the search page, a customer can tune to a channel, launch an on-demand title or set their DVR to record the show.
"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," Cablevision senior vice president of video product management Gary Schanman said in a statement.
The feature is available for no additional charge to the MSO's approximately 2.9 million digital TV subscribers in the New York metro area. It's accessible through the "shortcuts" menu (by pressing the "C" button on the remote control) and through the main iO TV interface.
