"Watch, Choose, and Search"... U+tv Service Revamp

Photo by LG Uplus

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] LG Uplus announced on the 3rd that it has revamped its internet TV (IPTV) service to make 'U+tv' easier and more convenient to use.

The update features three core services: continuing viewing seamlessly between IPTV and mobile, selecting episodes of entertainment shows individually, and searching for background music from works. Additionally, the home screen has been redesigned to focus on content.

Earlier, in September, LG Uplus introduced a 'Seamless' service that enables mutual linkage between IPTV and mobile, syncing recently watched content lists and purchased content history, allowing continuous viewing without interruption. The home screen supports continuing viewing of up to 10 recently watched contents.

With this update, U+tv allows separate profiles for each family member on one device, enabling personalized services. Up to four personal profiles can be added.

A new service called 'Looking for this?' has been added to provide detailed information about content that viewers are curious about. Entertainment program VOD content aired since September is categorized by broadcaster and episode, allowing viewers to select and watch only the desired parts. By pressing the 'Confirm' button on the remote control, viewers can see the episode-based categorized list, and clicking on a specific segment plays the content from that point.

U+tv Customer Growth Trend [Data provided by LG Uplus]

For movies, dramas, and entertainment VOD content scheduled since November, viewers can search for the background music currently playing and all background music tracks appearing in the content through the remote control's Confirm button.

The user experience (UX) of the home screen and VOD detail screens has also been changed to focus on content. On the home screen, popular, latest, and preferred content are arranged for easier discovery.

LG Uplus achieved a net increase of 360,000 subscribers by September this year, recording the highest growth rate among the three major IPTV providers. Market share increased from 24.9% in January to 25.4% in September.

An LG Uplus official said, "With the advent of the untact (contactless) era, there is a growing demand for new media consumption experiences that allow consuming desired content regardless of device or location. In response, we will continuously enhance customer convenience by advancing services such as breaking down the boundaries between TV and mobile and enabling seamless content viewing across devices."