LG Uplus leverages AI to recommend personalized IPTV content

Introducing the new AI features of ‘U+ TV.’ [Courtesy of LG Uplus]

Major companies in South Korea’s internet TV (IPTV) industry are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to regain momentum and attract customers as they face sluggish growth.

LG Uplus held a press conference at its headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul on Tuesday, where the company announced the integration of its AI platform, “ixi,” into its IPTV service, U+TV. This move marks the beginning of the “AIPTV” era where AI-driven features enhance the viewing experience.

The new features introduced by LG Uplus include hyper-personalized recommendations and viewing assistance powered by AI. While IPTV services have previously offered content recommendations based on viewing history, the new system goes a step further by providing AI-generated explanations for each suggestion. A viewer might see a message such as “This movie is directed by your favorite filmmaker” for example, helping them understand why a particular piece of content was recommended.

LG Uplus has also rolled out an “AI Subtitle” feature for on-demand video (VOD) content that becomes available after a broadcast, a feature allows viewers to watch VODs with Korean subtitles generated by AI. The AI extracts voice information from the content and compares it with closed captions provided by broadcasters, generating accurate subtitles within about 10 minutes. If the text overlaps with the subtitles, the AI automatically adjusts the subtitle’s position on the screen.

The IPTV industry in South Korea is in desperate need of a turnaround, as subscriber growth has stalled at a 0 percent increase in 2024. Other major players like SK Broadband and KT are responding by accelerating their efforts to enhance customer experience via AI.