UKTV rolls out VOD update for YouView

UKTV has launched an updated version of its on-demand service, UKTV Play, on the YouView platform.

The revamped video-on-demand player features a new home screen with tailored recommendations and top shows from UKTV’s Dave, Really, Yesterday and Drama channels.

A collections feature offers curated content along specific themes, viewers can also collate their favourite episodes to watch later, while predictive search makes it easier to find programmes.

The YouView update follows the rollout of a new UKTV Play mobile app last month and a new UKTVplay.co.uk desktop site last year.

Since these updates, UKTV claims mobile views have climbed 38% and desktop views have increased 50%.

“As with our web, mobile and other set top box apps, viewers now have at-a-glance access to programmes across all the channels, with both hand-picked favourites and personalised recommendations based on what viewers have watched,” said UKTV’s head of digital products, Oliver Davies.

“We hope the new ways of discovering programmes such as predictive search, channel filtering, bookmarking and A-Z list, together with the improved responsiveness, will make the service even more of a pleasure to use.”

Last month, UK operator BT introduced “the next generation of YouView” with a set-top box software update that will add a new user interface.

BT and rival TalkTalk both offer set-top boxes that run the YouView platform. Consumers can also buy non-operator provided YouView boxes from retailers in the UK.