Smarter searching on Virgin TV
Virgin Media has rolled out Smart Search to all customers with Virgin TV 360 or Stream boxes. The feature uses AI to handle conversational requests, so you can ask for shows that match your mood or star a favourite actor without scrolling through menus. Voice search via the remote delivers recommendations in seconds.
Research behind the launch
Virgin Media’s survey found 22% of viewers regularly spend too long browsing and 16% keep seeing the same suggestions. Nearly half (47%) think an AI assistant could pick better programmes than they would, while 35% value its ability to surface new content. The company says almost 60% of people want help finding what to watch.
Regional viewing habits
The research also mapped different city attitudes. Liverpool viewers are most likely to use AI to settle household debates, Manchester viewers want it to please everyone on the sofa, and Belfast residents lean on it to match their mood. Leeds viewers are keenest on discovering fresh shows, while Edinburgh users focus on speed and convenience.
How to try it
Smart Search is available now on compatible Virgin TV boxes. You can read more about TV options on our TV hub. Louise Fussell, TV & Entertainment Product Director for Virgin Media, said: “With nearly 60% of viewers wanting a helping hand in finding what to watch, we’ve launched Smart Search on Virgin TV to make content discovery quicker, simpler and more intuitive than ever before. By understanding how viewers naturally talk, Smart Search helps to cut the endless scroll and surface relevant recommendations in seconds so viewers can spend less time searching and more time enjoying the entertainment they love.”
