Apple TV Universal Search Feature Expands to FOX NOW, FXNOW, and NAT GEO

Universal search, which allows users to find content across multiple apps and services using text or Siri voice search, is one of the most useful features on the new fourth-generation Apple TV. At launch, universal search worked with iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Showtime, but Apple promised to expand the feature to include additional content sources over time.

Apple has made good on that promise. As of today, searching for content on the Apple TV will encompass the aforementioned apps along with FOX NOW, FXNOW, and National Geographic. Apple also expanded universal search to include PBS and PBS Kids in January.

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Apple maintains a full list of apps that are included in the Apple TV's universal search feature in a dedicated support document. The new channels aren't listed yet, but should be added to the document in the near future.

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Universal search across iTunes, HBO GO, HBO NOW, Hulu, Netflix, PBS, PBS Kids, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, FOX NOW, FXNOW, and NAT GEO is limited to Apple TV users who are located in the United States. Content from these apps will be displayed when a user asks Siri to find a movie or television show or conducts a text-based search.

In Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK, universal search only encompasses movies and TV shows on iTunes and Netflix, and with all other countries, search is only available for movies in iTunes.

Apple plans to continue opening up its universal search API to additional apps going forward.

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Top Rated Comments

camnchar Avatar
118 months ago
Just waiting for Plex to be included. Then the universal search becomes a huge plus for me.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
infiniteentropy Avatar
118 months ago
Now just to get it to search my iTunes library on my computer! Can that be so hard? Please, Apple?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yumbo Avatar
118 months ago
How about Family Shared content search?

Pretty basic...let alone Home Shared.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thekeyring Avatar
118 months ago
I'm hoping it will expand to BBC iPlayer in the UK. Also waiting on apps from Channel 4 and the UKTV network. Other than that, very very satisfied with the device!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
William Gates Avatar
118 months ago
Thank goodness I live in the EU with a UK Apple Store account so I don't ever have to see any Fox garbage appear on my TV.
You don't like The Simpsons, Family Guy, New Girl, The X Files, Brooklyn 99, Bob's Burgers, Futurama, etc.?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DTphonehome Avatar
118 months ago
This is the main reason I upgraded to a new Apple TV. I was sick of searching manually through apps to find shows I want to watch. Now I just tell Siri and it comes up. Glad to see that they are expanding this feature.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)