Google Fiber has upgraded the interface of its Fiber TV service that, it says, represents the biggest update it has made to that platform since its launch in 2012.
In addition to a general new look and feel that aims to help viewers more easily navigate the lineup and discover content, the update also features a reorganized area for DVR recordings and the addition of Rotten Tomatoes ratings that are integrated with program descriptions.
Other enhancements include a new recommendations and search engine, and an improved “Smart Search” component that lets viewers find shows and movies by title, keywords, and the actor’s name, or even a sports team.
Google Fiber added Google Cast capabilities to Fiber TV earlier this year, and “there’s much more to come,” Lawrence Kim, product manager at Google Fiber, said in a blog post.
Fiber TV isn’t powered by Android TV, but the company is working on integrating the Android TV apps experience into the service, Multichannel News has learned.
Citing U.S. Copyright Office data, MoffetNathanson analyst Craig Moffett said Google Fiber ended Q2 2016 with 68,715 video subscribers, up 66.6% year-over-year, with Google Fiber responding that it is “very pleased” with its pay TV growth.
Google Fiber started the service sign-up process this week in Morrisville, N.C., the first stop in a broader rollout happening in the state’s “Triangle” region.
Google Fiber offers or is deploying service in parts of Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas); Provo, Utah; Austin, Texas; Atlanta, Ga.; Charlotte; and Nashville, Tenn.; and is planning rollouts in San Antonio; San Francisco (already offered to some apartment buildings). It’s also exploring expansions into Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, San Jose, Louisville, Tampa, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, and Portland (Oregon).
