UKTV Play invests in AI to enhance user experience

An update to UKTV’s on-demand app promises to offer greater personalisation through AI, plus cross-device synchronisation and the addition of the Home channel.
The update to the UKTV Play app is available today on Amazon Fire OS, Android and iOS. Android and iOS apps now fully support Chromecast.
The new synchronised viewing history function that forms part of the update allows viewers to pause on one device and resume on another.

Additionally, UKTV says its recent investment in AI technology means that UKTV Play will be able to see recommendations based on interests and mood.
UKTV Play offers shows, box sets and collections from UKTV’s free-to-air channels Dave, Yesterday, Really, Drama and now Home – the most recent of its channels to go free-to-air.

In 2018, UKTV Play saw a 36% year-on-year increase of views across all platforms to over 140 million. In less than 12 months since mandatory registration was introduced, over 1.8 million users have signed up to the service, a third of whom are aged 16-34.

UKTV Originals were the most popular shows on UKTV Play last year. Taskmaster, Judge Romesh and Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier took the top three spots and all three are still available on the service with the addition of a brand-new series of Yianni: Supercar Customiser which started on Dave last week.

Future roll-out
The updated UKTV Play app will subsequently roll out on the following TV platforms; NOW TV, Roku, YouView, Freeview, Freesat, Fire TV and Samsung.

Tom Davidson, UKTV’s General Manager for UKTV Play says:
“UKTV Play is focusing on delivering the most personalised viewing experience in the marketplace. Our investment in machine learning, coupled with constant algorithm adjustments, allows our viewers to surface an enormous variety of content that suits not only their interests, but their mood too.”

Oliver Davies, UKTV’s Director of Product, says:
“It’s incredibly satisfying to see how the new app experience adapts to your tastes and habits. It’s extremely responsive so it knows exactly what I like to watch, and when.”

Source: UKTV