SFR adds unified Google search

French telco and pay TV operator SFR is using Google technology to launch a search engine for linear and on-demand content. It has also announced plans to add a new catch-up TV service.

The telco will use the Google Search Appliance to enable its Neufbox Evolution customers to search programmes and films from linear channels and on-demand services. When it launches next month, users will see search results as soon as they start typing the first letters of a keyword. The engine will display the top ten search results. By the end of the year, the tool will also search recordings and personal content stored on the Neufbox Evolution hard drive.

SFR is also adding a new catch-up portal that will launch with content from seven channels and expand to 20 channels by the end of the year. The portal will include content from M6 Replay, Replay Disney, NRJ 12 Replay, Game One, Gulli, Canal Plus and Equidia On Demand when it launches next month. Content from MyTF1, RTL9 and BFM9 will be added by the end of the year. Viewers will be able to see content for up to four weeks after it has been broadcast.